The bug guys came this past Thursday.  They were not happy that a bed bug was found, albeit dead, in the study (see June 5 post).  With my characteristically prohibitive conscience, I felt like a school girl caught with unfinished homework--even though I feel like I've done all that I can! Perseverance, Karen.  Be tenacious.  Stay the course.  Don't crumble in a heap on the floor and bawl.
I remembered the feeling of hopelessness I felt (and sometimes continue to feel) the first night after Cami found the first wretched bug in her bed.  I woke up at 4 am sobbing loud enough to wake Peter.  I couldn't see any hope for ever ridding ourselves of bed bugs. Peter has often talked of selling our home to move closer to the church.  Kiss that dream good bye.  We have had people of all ilk live in our home. It's now a mind-boggling surprise that we haven't had bed bugs before now.  But is that era of hospitality over forever?  Peter reminded me that night that God is sovereign over the bed bugs, over our home, over me.  Then I remembered that same feeling of hopelessness when I was confronted by my sin and the condition of my soul. Nothing I did was good enough. No good deed or scheme could remedy.  All was lost.  That's why Jesus came.  Hope rushed in.  He is Lord of sin and death. He is Lord of the Bed Bugs.  If He can take away my sin, He can surely take away these little pests.  He is my only hope.  Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5, "Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
So the bug guys and I attacked the house again Thursday. Saturday was the 11th day of no signs of bed bugs--a record!  Yay!  Sunday I found small spots on Connor's and Keaton's bed sheets.  Hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.