Friday, August 19, 2005
HOW DO WE HANDLE LIFE?
I’ve been somewhat introspective the past few days. I think it has been an attempt to ward off a “pity-party”. I’m not so sure I’ve been successful. Karon says I’ve been an old grouch! I’d never admit to it but she’s right!
There have just been a series of things at work and church that haven’t been easy. I have become aware of two different scenarios that have caused me to be reflective.
Scenario 1: A family in our church is going through a very difficult time. The lady’s mother has had to move in with them due to her poor health; the lady’s husband had serious back surgery 4 months ago and is still off work. His disability and other compensation sources are running out and he can’t go back to work. People have threatened to break into their house to get the medication the man takes. Then an auto accident totaled their only car which was not completely paid off. The insurance company wouldn’t settle for enough money to pay off the loan. I think you are beginning to get the picture—these are the highlights or I guess you’d say “lowlights”. In the midst of this situation the lady wrote an email. I quote a part of the email here (with permission):
. We went yesterday to see about getting ____ on part time disability thru social security because we found out last week his sick pay from work runs out the middle of October. And it will take 5-6 months before we hear IF he qualifies, so from Oct - Jan/Feb. we'll only have my income. And then the insurance called us on the car & they valued the car at less than what our balance on the loan is so we're going to have to pay $1500-$2000 on that. The bank told us to just keep making payments like always until we get it paid off. And mom is coming home from the nursing home this Saturday & that does add extra costs to things: groceries, utilities, etc. so things are going to be really tight.
And I'll be honest with you, I just don't have faith anymore. I'm not coming back to church. My family may but I’m not. I'm not sure what or where I'm going. I just know that things have got to change & God sure isn't doing anything & I can't take anymore. There is so much more than anyone knows & I don't want to get into it but I'm just tired of all this & I can't take anymore. I've put up with so much for so long & God is not there for me so I’m not going to be there for him. Sorry.
This is a tough situation. Our church is ministering financially, emotionally and spiritually to this family. Hopefully we will be able to provide strength and assistance to them.
Scenario 2: A young man on a warm summer afternoon found his young daughter lying motionless at the bottom of their family swimming pool. He pulled her from the pool and frantically tried to revive her. His joy was unspeakable when she revived, gasping, coughing and crying. There was no permanent damage.
He later privately thanked God for saving his baby girl; thanked Him for His greatness and faithfulness. Then this young father said it seemed as though God said to him, “If your daughter had died would you still call me great and faithful? Am I not still Jehovah, no matter what I may do?”
This is something the lady in the first scenario I described needs to come to understand. Oswald Chambers says that faith in God exists regardless of anything that contradicts Him; faith is choosing to “…remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.”
Some of you may know that song Steven Curtis Chapman sings, “God is God and I am not. I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting.”
One of my internet friends wrote in her comment (you may have read it): “…isn't it awesome to serve a Sovereign God! … I hate to think of how non-believers do not have the hope we have when they face trials. Just keep holding His hand and know that all things happen for good for them that love Him.”
Sometimes we who are Believers need to remember the hope we have in Christ.
Thanks to all of you for being there for Karon and me.
Jim
posted by jim 4:35 PM 2 comments
Comments:
Jim, when I read your first scenario, I thought about the verse in Isaiah where God promises us beauty for ashes. He is showing me His faithfulness, even in my darkness. I am learning that no matter how bad it gets, He can always bring beauty out of my ashes. And He never allows anything, any tragedy, any trial, ANYTHING to happen that He cannot bring to beauty. In His timing.
I pray that this lady's eyes will be opened to the reality of God's unfailing love. He's not finished with her yet.
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I pray that this lady's eyes will be opened to the reality of God's unfailing love. He's not finished with her yet.
# posted by 
: 5:37 AM
: 5:37 AM
