It was a warm and balmy Friday. The sun was shining and the wind wasn't blowing. As it peeked through the blinds and hit me in the eye, I snuggled down deeper into the covers with a warm feeling that all was well with the world. A sigh and a peace fell over my soul.
It is now a year later since we had our 'day after' holiday flood. There is still evidence here that there was a crisis. It is seen in the Belfor boxes that I haven't found time to empty yet and the fresh coat of paint (which now has been initiated by a three year old) that covers our walls and in the 'new' but badly needing repair wood floor. But that is superficial.
The remnants of the crisis really lies within our hearts. We like to call it our growing season. For whatever reason that still is beyond our comprehension, the repairs are all done but the paperwork has yet to be completed with our insurance company. I don't understand why it has taken them so long through this whole process. Except for this one lesson that God is still teaching us: to remain faithful and have constant trust that He will see us through.
It is easy to give up hope and to quit after an extended period of time thinking that God isn't hearing your pleas or perhaps the answer could just be a 'no' but a challenge has been given to our family to remain hopeful, keep trusting in our Father even when it doesn't seem like He's hearing us and to trust that He knows best.
This is what builds the character in us that He desires. Just as we as parents, try to 'mold' our children into having godly traits...He also must mold us as Christians. I keep telling my kids we are like pieces of coal. It is kind of ugly on the outside but with just the right amount of pressure that only God knows, something very beautiful and valuable is created. The pressure is somewhat painful as He gets rid of all the gunk but what remains is a reminder of His grace, His beauty and His love.
During this 'first' anniversary, I truly am thankful that God does care enough about us to want us to 'grow' and to use situations in our lives to create the beauty He desires. I am also thankful for periods of rest between the growing and the beautifying and for the people He chose to use to minister to us to help keep our eyes on Him.
1 comment:
Wow. Very true. Somehow you just don't know the affect of something like that. That and other things somehow alter your focus on what's important around you.
I hope that in my life it makes me more aware of other peoples needs and struggles, more compassionate and understanding when I see a pained look or burdened soul. I hope that this season, will not just be a sad memory, but that new memories can be created that will give other people smiles and moments of joy.
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