I'm not a morning person, and this morning I awoke feeling as if I'd been dumped in a black hole. My mind traveled back to 1991 when my van was hit by a log truck. Life has never been the same, and this morning all I could see were the negatives in my life. On the day of the accident, however, that's not how I felt.
That day, my daughter and I were joyfully overwhelmed by the power and presence of God. When the log truck barreled at us we were certain we had only seconds left on this earth. Miraculously we climbed out of a smashed van. We were alive! We hugged one another and praised the Lord for what He had done. We knew he was good, powerful and full of mercy.
In the days that followed, pain overrode my joy. I sank into a dark place and bitterness toward the man who'd been driving the log truck took hold of my daughter. Our praises ceased, replaced by fear, anger, and sorrow.
I'm thankful those days are behind us, though there are times still when I battle the enemie's attempts to keep me down.
Life isn't easy for any of us, at least not all the time. There are dark places when doubts, fears, and disappointments confuse us and lay us low. And yet, we know nothing touches us that God does not allow. So what do we do about the hard stuff, those things that seem unreasonable--the hardships that have no answers? The God of the universe tells us to walk boldly into His thrown room. He beckons us - "Come."
Draw closer to God, and if we must crawl to Him. Hear His voice. Feel His love, His presence. And remember the wonders He has brought into our lives. I have a list of some of those wonders in the back of my prayer book to remind me of all He has done and how much He has blessed my life.
When we remember thanksgiving will be restored.
May we never forget who He is and what He has done. Together let us lift our voices and our hands in praise to His marvelous, incomprehensible love.
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." Isaiah 12:4 - 6
Remember. Great is the Lord!
Grace and peace to you from God.
Bonnie
This speaks to my heart, Bonnie! I've traveled through some dark places as well and haven't always been gracious about it! LOL -- slight understatement.
ReplyDeleteI think you really summed it up well. What do we do with those hardships that we can't possibly understand? We follow Him anyway. Sometimes I've done that kicking and screaming and throwing a tantrum worthy of a tempestuous two-year-old, but thankfully, so far, I've kept following. Sometimes, dragging my feet, mind you!
This has been a lovely reminder to keep focused on HIM despite what happens in my life. Thanks. I needed this today. :-)
Kav,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post--right on! And even if we go dragging our feet, we go. : - ) I've done my share of foot dragging. But I will continue to follow and to do my best to belong to Him fully and completely.
Many blessings to you.