I sat sideways in the overstuffed chair. My jack russell, Mocha, lay asleep on my lap. My bleary eyes took in the time on my phone, "1:57 AM". As I stood and stretched, I was reminded that God delivers inspiration and hope in unexpected ways.

I don't think any of us are ever ready for those conversations that will inevitably change our lives forever. We're never ready for that bad news or those unwelcome changes, but like it or not, they come.

God's grace really is sufficient. It doesn't mean that it's painless. Nor does it mean that it's easy or fear-free. It does mean that underneath the sinking feeling in your heart you know it's going to be all right; that somehow you and God are going to come out together on the other side.

I saw God last night. He was there in my friend's hugs, her listening ears and compassionate eyes. Unable to sleep, I popped in my most recent selection from Blockbuster Express. By the end of the movie I was able to breathe without the pain and anxiety tightening my stomach. It was going to be alright. Hope and relationships come from such unexpected places at such unexpected times. There's no situation that God cannot use. There's no situation that He will fail to make beautiful for those who put their trust in Him.

I'm still scared and I still don't like the situation. I'm in the process of denial and trying to accept that it is what it is whether I like it or not. But for the first time in a long time, I'm going into a dark and frightening situation knowing that God has my back. He is strengthening me moment by moment. He has surrounded me by friends and support - I don't have to walk through this on my own. The tears will still come. The fears will overwhelm. The frustration will build. Through it all, I'm trusting that my Jesus is enough.