How to Catch a Break!

At the age of 39, I would have expected the unpredictable to have leveled out a bit in my life. Yet, it seems quit the opposite.  No matter what area of my life I seem to have under control, there are other areas that simply explode in my face. Can you relate?

For instance, it's December, and you all know that means the holidays are among us. This usually means a little financial juggling for our family. Shifting some bills around to make a little wiggle room for presents. (This is where I hear Dave Ramsey ranting in my head: "Christmas comes every 12 months! You know this! Why have you not planned ahead and saved money for this????" Can I get an AMEN!!!)  But this year, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to catch a break. I normally take adversity in stride, knowing God has a plan and simply waiting it out. This year He is really testing my patience...or my juggling skills, not sure which! lol

Image by Renjith Krishnan.

Recently, my husband had to go to the ER for a burn on his arm. He tried to go to the clinic, a $60 visit, but it was lunch time so they sent him to the ER instead: a $700 visit. Do the math on that one! A week ago, my son hurt his foot while playing.  It appeared to be okay, but now it is hurting him again. This will require an x-ray very soon to determine what is needed.  All of a sudden, my daughter's eyes have decided they need glasses and her teeth refuse to come in straight! Not to mention we are still paying off medical bills from my broken leg a year ago! (Yes, we have some insurance but it never covers everything!)

Normally, we find creative ways to make all our ends meet. We catch a break somewhere and it all comes together. But, right now nothing is turning out that way. I know the Lord says to cast all my cares on him and be anxious for nothing, and that is what I'm trying to do. But, in the honor of full disclosure I have to say... I am anxious. I know I shouldn't be, but I am. Not just because I may not get my Christmas gifts purchased, but because we have some real needs that are going unmet at the moment. Because I'm embarrassed that I can't pay my bills on time or maybe even at all right now. Because I am letting people down - I don't like to let people down! Because I am a Christian and I feel like I'm setting a terrible example! Because I am a responsible adult, contributing to society, holding down a good job (two actually) and it still isn't enough. It is not enough.

So, I sit and I wait. I've done everything I can do in my own strength. I've turned over every leaf I know to turn.  This one is out of my control.

Honestly, when I let go of that CONTROL is usually when God shows up and shows off. So, I sit and wait for him to do just that!  While I may be frustrated and anxious, I know where my hope comes from! I am NOT without HOPE because I serve a mighty God. He hasn't forgotten me. His ways are higher than my ways. So, I will sit and wait to catch my break from Him.

God bless you all! Merry Christmas.

Bad News

A friend emailed yesterday with bad news: her brother-in-law, the father to her only niece, has just found out he has cancer.  That is bad news. But, what makes it even worse news is that her sister, the mother to her only niece, just passed away four years prior with cancer.  Pretty tough to swallow, and all I could think was, "this isn't fair."

Immediately after hearing this bad news, I felt compelled to have a little "what for" talk with the Lord.  I am not sure why I do that. I know it's not his fault. We simply live in a broken world full of many diseases.  I tried to think of some encouraging words for my friend. The only thing that came to mind was (paraphrasing) don't borrow tomorrow's troubles because today has enough of it's own.  I didn't tell her that. I just tried to love and hug her through email while holding back my tears.

This morning I ran across this verse in Matthew 13:17, "For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Jesus was talking about the coming of the Messiah. Many had already given their lives to preach this message but never actually seen him.  They didn't live long enough - and some of them lived a long time! Yet, Jesus' current audience was seeing scripture fulfilled.

Reading this verse today gave me a glimmer of hope for the future. Many are down on their knees praying for a cure for cancer, probably much like our grandparents prayed for a cure for small pocks.  Yet, like these many righteous men who never got to see Jesus, we may never see the cure for cancer in our lifetime. But, we shall continue to pray because our kids or grand kids may be the ones who receive it. Plus, we serve a big God and sometimes people are healed. I was.

Even though it seems like the odds are stacked against you when you hear that terrible "C" word, pray anyway.  Don't let the devil get you down! Stand up and fight! And remember, Jesus did show up.

When it Rains it Pours

Why is it when life gets hard, circumstances stack up against us, life takes its toll, we abandon everything we know to be true in Christ? Do we feel that he has failed us in some way? Do we feel like “well, I prayed and my situation is the same, so oh well!”?

Life is a challenge sometimes. And, when it rains it pours. As I get older, that has become a truth in my life! Does that make our God any less? Does that make the bible any less true? You know what I’m going to say: No!

He is the Son of God and man. He sees us right where we are. He loves us…right where we are…whether it is in a heap of life’s circumstances or a heap of trouble, or even the death of a loved one. God is still God. His word is still true. He didn’t say when we turned our lives over to him it would be rosy and perfect. We are still human, living under the curse that Adam and Eve set before us in the garden. But, we have a Savior! We have a redeemer, a comforter. And, when life gets to hard to bear, turn to Jesus. Let him comfort you. Let him love on you. Does it change your physical circumstances? Maybe not, but it definitely changes the way you see those circumstances. Praise his name….even when it seems impossible. His name is great…and greatly to be praised. If all you can say is “Jesus”, it’s enough!