Just last week I sat in the rocking chair in Meredith's bedroom and stared out the window thinking, "God has blessed me with a healthy family, a nice home, a good job, enough money to pay the bills, etc. I am so content. I am so happy."
BAAM! God heard me last week and decided to flip things upside down. Turmoil with the family in South Dakota, sleepless nights worrying, stressful job because school starts next week, a house we want for sale in the perfect location for the perfect price, the price of Meredith's babysitter goes up and she hasn't even been there yet, finding out there's no pay increase for us when we get our masters degrees this year, not enough time in the day to get everything done, eight dollars in the checking account, the car is in the shop for the third time this year... and the list goes on.
What to do? Dad just reminded me that life can easily go well; but, it is how you handle the times when you do have trials and stresses that will allow you to obtain eternal life. My boss just asked me an hour ago to lead a faculty devotion next week on these verses from the book of Hebrews:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entagles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
My summary of these verses:
The Christian life is pictured as a long-distance race. Don't drop out of the race when things get tough, but refer to examples of those individuals in the Bible who stood strong. Concentrate on Jesus, who ran his race and suffered more than we will ever have to suffer--a great encouragement for us when we are weary and tempted to become discouraged by the trials of life.
A few verses later, it states "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
Endure hardship as discipline! I can hear my husband a few years from now "disciplining" Meredith in this manner when she has to endure some kind of hardship: "Suck it up princess. That's life."
2 comments:
thanks for sharing these verses!
I can't count how many times I've heard them and each time some new struggle comes in my life they seem brand new each time.
"First of all, thanks for listening to our song,
We hope this finds you driving in your car,
Or wherever you are,
Breathe out and breathe again,
Know that life is hard,
But it's worth the breathing.
Listen to me now,
For love, oh love,
It's waiting for you just to say:
Here come better days,
And here come better days,
Better days, and a better place I know...."
You've got 2 things right Kelli Marie.....life is not easy even though we are blessed daily with the fact that Jesus Christ did die and suffer just so we can live and continue receiving blessings. Remember as you sit and stare out the window from the comforts of your home to trust in the Lord and HE will provide. It's a great lesson for all of us! The other fact to your blog yesterday is yes, Meredith is a PRINCESS!
Love you! Mom & Dad
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