This Too Shall Pass...WHEN?!?! How long do I have to wait...
Seriously-Why does it always seem that when things are rough time drags on and on...and on...? I know all the scriptural sayings. I understand what it means to wait on God. I GET what happens when we endure the hardships and come out victorious on the other side...when I'm on the other side. It's when I'm doing the "enduring" that I have a hard time remembering.
Ms. Linda has been fighting cancer for over ten years. You wouldn't know it to meet her. She's a feisty lady who's small in stature, but big in spirit. She has a Texan twang and a quick comeback for any statement. I loved her as soon as I saw her. Three different cancers, three different types of treatments. What in the world keeps her spirits up? How would I handle a life like hers? I truly don't want to find out, but I'll not soon stop reminding myself of her spunk and fight.
I just don't like "hard roads". Not even a bump. Whether it's a friend who's sick, a family member having a rough week or even my obese equine having a sore foot; I get concerned and it throws off the routine of my blissful day. Good thing too, these things remind me that I have something more important to do than laundry. Shame on me for sitting in my bubble and shutting out the fact that life is messy and hard.
Thankfully I have enough sense to know that those bumps will eventually level out and the more I experience them, the quicker I look for the end that I know is coming. Some ends are harder to see as I don't have any clue how in the world the situation will resolve nevermind when. I'm even getting better about realizing there are times that I can't do anything about them at all. Except pray.
Don't ever underestimate the power of a good prayer. Even more, don't ever miss an opportunity to ask for a good prayer. Sometimes that person you ask to pray just needs a little nudge to do so. They may be waiting for a "good excuse" to strike up a conversation with the best listener and problem solver ever. It could even be that the hills that are thwarting the goals of those you care about are just needing the hand of God to show the path that leads to the crest where His glory can be revealed, but He's waiting on that special ask.
If your road gets bumpy, hit your knees. When someone you know is facing a winding, treacherous path, pray for them. Be mindful of your own need for prayer and let someone help smooth out your hard route. I'm confident that when I can't concentrate on mundane tasks and routine chores get wacky, it's because I'm not doing what's important-praying. Once I have a good chat with God and get everything off my chest/out of my mind, everything seems to let loose of the tightly wound mess it was in my heart and freely works out according to His will. His will may not be the quick answer that we think would be best, but it is always full of love.
The God of the mountains is the God of the valley.
Even though we aren't Israel, David's words are very relevant and hopeful in Psalm 25-Check 'em out!
