Ups.
and (sadly) downs.
But I think I've finally arrived at a place of steady.
(for now... though, like all things in life, that too will change and steady will eventually give way to more Ups.... and downs.)
But GOD is GOOD!
All the time.
And what does that even mean, anyway?
Has it become some overused cliche that we robotically deliver when passing our friends at church with a smile plastered on our face? (all the while, fighting exhaustion, stress, frustration, trials - and, if you're a parent to young ones... lack of sleep).
Sometimes, I think so.
Sometimes, I think Christians like to talk too much.
We throw out "right sounding" phrases ("Praise The Lord!... Good is Good!")- and yet spoken without sincerity the words fall flat. Please don't misunderstand me, I assure you the declarations are no less true, but sometimes I think we owe it to others, to ourselves (and to God!) to speak those words, yes, but also provide a transparent context.
Such as...
"Wow- this week has been so hard. My baby has been miserably ill and won't stop crying.
Day or night.
Sleep is overrated anyway, right?...
Or...
"My dog nearly died this week.
For real.
But despite the fear we experienced while she was in surgery and post op, God - AGAIN- proved to be faithful and showed us a miracle....
Praise the Lord!"
Though we were told our doggie would surely have to stay for 3 days after major (emergency) surgery- my kids prayed anyway that doggie would be able to come home the next day. The vet chuckled when I suggested it on the phone during our call immediately after her surgery. Yet, kids prayed anyway that night.
Guess who was home, wagging her tail, at noon the very next day?
God IS Good! Thank you, Jesus.
Wow, what a week we had. And I'll tell ya what... though I didn't enjoy it, I survived it. And when my friends or family called, I was honest. "This is HARD! But I believe- in faith- it's all going to be OK."
Whatever trial this world wants to throw at us, because of the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, I declare PEACE. ("You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."—Isaiah 26:3)
And when I pass my friends at church- or when I talk to my friends on the phone, I always want to be genuine. I believe that the best way to encourage others, is through our own transparency... Admitting that life can be hard.
We might be exhausted.
We might feel overwhelmed.
We might be fighting fear or anxiety.
It's not only okay to admit it, it's the right thing to do. Because when we come through the other side of a long, troubling week... or month... or year... we might be able to encourage others who find themselves in the same place (or situation) that we've come out of.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 1 Cor 1: 3-4
As I write, I find our household in a good place today...
We're back to a place of health.
(Even the little doggie is recovering quite nicely! I'm giving her breaks to recoup in her own space, without being chased by the baby... though that doesn't mean Christian all together 'leaves her alone.')
Every one's sleeping better.
I got some laundry done (clean socks and undies = always a good thing).
And we've finally been given a bit of respite from the seemingly never ending winter this year...
No matter where you find yourself today... in a challenging situation or momentary trial... have faith, cling to those around you who love you enough to be genuine... to share openly so that you might find encouragement of your own that soon... soon enough... things will turn around and you'll be singing a new tune.
And if you find yourself in a good place today- find a way to be a light to others.
A little encouragement- and a whole lot of transparency- go a long way.
We aren't meant to travel this journey alone.
Peace!
1 comment:
I love you.
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