Christian Living
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. {Romans 8:28 CEV}
Since my son started school, I've come to realize just how much of a morning person I am NOT. I would sleep until noon everyday if that were at all possible. We are three weeks in now so I've started to get into a regular routine that includes going to bed when, normally, my evening would just be starting (which is taking some getting used to). The other day I woke up at 5:11 AM and was relieved to know I still had another hour and a half left to sleep. I can actually remember thinking as I rolled over and closed my eyes, Thank you God for such a great night sleep and this wonderful feeling of contentment - ZZZzzzZZZZzzzzz
But then it happened - that moment every parent dreads. I heard the floor creak...then the door open.....then the pitter-patter of little feet scurrying to my bedside......."Mommy.....I peed in my bed!"....followed by bellows and sobs....FROM ME!
I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.” {Job 3:26 NLT}
I blame my state of half-consciousness for the dramatic monologue that followed. "God WHY? Do You think this is funny? Is this a cruel joke? How could You let this happen? I work hard and I deserve a good night sleep! I just thanked You and You respond with THIS??!!"
I won't even tell you what I said to my son....but after a quick bath, I rolled out his sleeping bag and made him lay down for the remaining hour until the cell phone alarm would go off. I walked back into my room just as my phone was signaling a low battery. Now, I suppose some phones may last another hour or so before powering off - not mine! It usually shuts off after three "low battery" chimes or about 15 minutes. I quickly felt around the floor for the charger, plugged in the phone and laid down hoping to make the most of the 50 minutes I had left. But then it hit me....what just happened? If I had rolled over and went back to sleep (soundly as usual), I would not have heard my phone shut off; I would NOT have woke up in time to get ready! I would have been so upset if I made my son late for school.....even more upset then I was about missing a bit of sleep. And God knew that. So what seemed to be a "devastating" start to the day was actually part of a bigger picture. As dramatic as it was, I felt like God turned away from me, but in reality, He was taking care of me in a much bigger way.
As we journey through this life, WE WILL experience rocky road; some things will be tougher than we expect; some people will treat us poorly; some plans will fall through. Whatever the case may be, we have to remember that God is in control. He has ALL the facts, and He's got our best interest in mind. Faith is about depending on God to work out all the unseen details in our favor.
If there's something going on in your life right now that has you feeling like God has abandoned you, remember the Lord sees the big picture and it's even more beautiful than you or I can imagine! Practice faithfulness. Praise Him in the hard times. Thank Him through your troubles. Continue (or start!!) to be obedient, and just watch the The Artist at work.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. {Hebrews 11:1&3}
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