The past few months have found me reminiscing about my past, sometimes, in great detail. I remember specific instances that, at the time, didn’t make sense to me. Vivid memories that left me confused because I wondered if my imagination had created certain thoughts. Among the many issues, my heart and mind would be filled with frustration aimed at my parents because they prevented me from doing something I wanted to do, wouldn’t help me accomplish certain things by providing financial assistance, allowed me to reap the consequences of my actions when they could have helped me, and more. My younger mind would be filled with anger at their lack of involvement in certain aspects. The same question that always filled my mind was “Why?” or “Why not?” Life seemed so unfair in those moments. Now, I sit on the other side of the aisle. I’m the one being labeled an unfair parent preventing my children from doing all the things they want to do. The older they become, the more I understand the answers to those questions I had so long ago. There were many things my parents didn’t explain to me because, mostly, I wouldn’t have understood it. My mind couldn’t comprehend their actions were either for my safety or were allowing me to learn valuable lessons that would guide me as I have continued down life’s path. I have found myself apologizing, in particular, to my Dad on numerous occasions for my past actions and the things I said. My change in perspective has led to the understanding and realization of so much.
Ignorantly, I can be found doing the same thing with my Heavenly Father. He is quite mysterious to me. I don’t understand why He allows many things in this world to happen. I don’t understand why He won’t rescue me from the ever growing list of frustrations and struggles around me. But His perspective is different. The things I view as hurdles, my Father sees as instruments that condition me for what lies ahead of me. The struggles we all face have a tendency to humble us while reminding me that we are all powerless and quite pitiful without God. The word tells us, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. … The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him” [Psalm 34:19-22]. That scripture never says we won’t have troubles. It actually reminds us we may have many troubles. But we do have the promise that he will deliver us from them. Are you feeling broken and tired today? The Savior knows where you’re at and He will meet you there. Simply invite Him into your situation and forego the attempts at controlling every detail. He is the Master Potter who specializes in putting broken things back together. He’s a seamster that can mend what has been torn apart. With God, there is always hope!
Closing remarks and encouragement: God’s exchange rates are out of the world. “…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” [Is 61:3] Test’s eventually become testimonies. But some things must be endured as there are lessons to be learned. Keep pressing forward, my friends.
Have a blessed week!