There are instances in life that I will always remember :
`where I was when I discovered there was a terrorist attack on 9-11
`the time I fell off of my sister's pink bike (5th grade)
`when my mom always made spaghetti for dinner
`the time I decided to accept Jesus as Lord and live to follow His perfect will
`throwing away my forks after dinner
`the family meeting where I found out my mom has breast cancer
In life's difficult situations, sometimes we are brought to a place in which we begin to contemplate about life in ways the average day would never bring. Perhaps our mind wanders to the past when life seemed more simple, there was less change, and everyone was in perfect health. Perhaps our mind wanders to the regrets of not exchanging kinder words, showing more expressions of love, or refraining from the busyness of life. Perhaps we would question the meaning to the current dilemma, how it could have been prevented, or what life would be like without it.
I had a conversation with my mom last week about her favorite verse; "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5. We were talking about how God knows us so well as evident in that promise. It is so easy to worry about life's circumstances (jobs, finances, health, children, school, relationships, fill in the blank) and even easier to try and solve it in all the wrong ways. But it's in these times that we have no better option than to remind ourselves of God's promises for us(for you).
My mom (I don't know what age). God knew her sweetness in this photo. He knew the life she would have ahead of her and, Oh!, was he preparing her!
Jeremiah 31:3
Another photo that I know nothing about, but God knew and knows.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Our God surpasses our understanding, time, and space. He is the Creator of the Universe. He loves us more than we will ever know. His plans are greater than we can ever comprehend.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
There is nothing sweeter than hearing my mom sing worship songs when she doesn't think anyone is listening. There is nothing sweeter than seeing her at peace with life's circumstances and wishing to satisfy her evening sweet-tooth. There is nothing harder than a husband seeing his wife in pain and unable to remove it. There is nothing harder than having hopes of an end only to find out it's only the begining.
I encourage you to reach out to someone you haven't before. Give someone the gift of time, even if you don't know what to say. Most often, words aren't needed. Pray for someone NEW. Love someone NEW. Serve someone NEW.
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3
