Family vacation was oh so nice. I usually leave the beach with aspirations to one day live there. But then, I question. Would I value that wonderment of God’s creation if I soaked it in every single day? Or would it, like so many blessings in my life, be taken for granted? Probably the latter. Unfortunately.
The comings and goings of vacations are similar to life. In life, we experience good times and bad. Scripture tells us that in this life, you will have trouble. But, it’s in our trouble, in our pain, that God reveals a little more of Who He is. And, as a result, we are better for it. If not better for going through the trial in itself, but who we learn that God is in that trial. When we choose to endure hard times God’s way, He makes Himself known in ways that we could not imagine. It could be seeing God’s provision during a financially difficult time. A friend calling you when you are feeling indescribably lonely. Losing a child and waking up the next morning wondering how you are even breathing.
I will never, ever forget sitting in my house on Sweetbriar Lane with my eight week old baby boy. John Henry was asleep. I was sitting in my living room chair sobbing. I was lonely. The despair I was feeling hurt so deeply. I heard a knock at the door. It was my friend, Stacey. I yelled for her to come in. She did. And, she saw a young, single mother cradled up in a chair with tears soaking her shirt. What does Jesus look like? He looked a lot like Stacey Beheler that night. She dropped in to give me some things for John Henry. But, God used her to give me much more that night.
The Bible says that His grace is sufficient. A mother who has lost a child has a greater measure of grace than one who has not. God gives his grace as we need it. And, He measures it exactly right.
I don’t invite tough times. But, I also know that without them, we take for granted the good. During those times, we see and feel the love of God like no other time. And, it forever changes who we are.
I would like to be back in a beach chair with my toes in the sand. I’m not. But, when I am again, it will be oh so nice.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
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