Earlier this year, on a rainy Thursday afternoon, one of the pillars of my life fell.

I mean that literally. My Dad fell from a 20-foot ladder on the job, and then we all circled his hospital bed, where he wore the neck brace with fits of anger, in and out of consciousness.

We waited through testing to learn of broken bones and a bleeding brain, while our strong and capable supporter forgot thirty years of living and became fragile before us.

We wanted to stop and rewind, but we couldn’t. We couldn’t keep any bit of his life from changing.

But through the pain, the tears, the questions, and all the uncomfortable feelings shouting at us – while life as we knew it slipped away, this one thing remained …

Jesus is still our Chief Cornerstone, the stone that holds the entire building—that holds the whole big, wide, painful world—together.

But the Master, God, has something to say to this:

‘Watch closely. I’m laying a foundation in Zion,
    a solid granite foundation, squared and true.
And this is the meaning of the stone:
    a trusting life won’t topple.’” Isaiah 28:16 (MSG)

We experienced this during those days of wait-and-see. And the rest of this year, even still, as Dad works his way through a painfully slow recovery.

A trusting life won’t topple. Those who believe will be unshakable. People who rely on Jesus will not be put to shame.

It’s as if God, through our afflictions, helps us unwrap gifts of truth we only held loosely. In these times, we learn what it means to rely on Jesus, to know Him as our Cornerstone.

He takes our trials and cements them into new layers of trust.

When I think about growing in trust, I remember the winter our losses stacked up like Lego bricks. Or the time an emergency team broke in and rescued one of our dearest, and we were far away. Or the day we held our newborn baby and doctors rained masses of cancer on our pink parade. Or the uncertain season of Dad’s fall.

Painful days, and desperate nights—yet through these, we emerged knowing more of Jesus. Knowing nothing’s more certain than Him.

For when we’re past our own strength, once we’re no longer feeling so capable with the basic pieces of our lives in place—Jesus gives His strength. Then we understand He really is the Chief Cornerstone, holding us up when all else falls.

He’s the foundation of the church, the foundation of our lives—precious and stable and strong.

So when the world slips out from under you, and keeps on slipping, you don’t need to panic.

Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone, is able to bear the weight of the whole building. He’s able to bear the weight of your whole life.

You are coming to Christ, who is the living Cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but He is precious to God who chose Him. And now God is building you, as living stones, into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” I Peter 2:4-5 (NLT)

This post also featured at  Katy’s place, A Football Wife’s Life. I am honored to participate in the series she’s hosting, on the Names of God. Also, she’s giving away a set of beautiful ornaments. Don’t miss!

And a very merry Christmas to you!