July 4th, come and gone for another year. It’s sounds as though this post will be about the holiday weekend, what freedom means to us a country or something of that nature. Well… it’s not. The only related item in this post is the actual date and current state of affairs that surrounded it.
If you read my last post you know that I tend to be somewhat, well let’s say… intense. I promise there will be a “light” post in the future, so until then please hang in there with me.
As you know by now, my quest in life is to watch for God and try to find Him in everyday life situations. To be mindful, be aware of His presence and how He is showing up and what He is teaching me. This is so important to me because doing this deepens my relationship with God. When I can be mindful of Him, He teaches me more about how to trust Him fully, live more freely, and with a heart and life fully alive vs. being dead or held back in fear.
So, here are my latest life circumstances that I’m trying to see God in.
It’s Saturday July 2nd and a friend calls because her poor dog has to be put to sleep.
It’s Sunday, July 3rd another friend calls to tell me a mutual friend has just died a traumatic death.
It’s Wednesday, July 6th and a third friend calls to say her husband lost his job, they have to move again!
They (whoever “They” are) say it comes in threes – right? Can you relate? I’m guessing you can.
We all have times in our lives when life is just not very fun. It’s not joyful, it’s downright sad. It’s maddening and we just want to say, (okay I’ve really said this)… “What the %&..@ is going on God, what are you up to?” “What am I supposed to be learning here?” Yes, I have to admit I sometimes get a little “put out.” Sometimes it’s at God, sometimes it’s at other people; sometimes okay, a lot of times it’s at myself – if I will get real and take the time to have the “come to Jesus talk.”
Seriously though, how do we find or see God when our lives are turned upside down? How are we supposed to know what the “path” is that He is laying out when life is looking like a tornado just came through and smashed the trees to smithereens and in the process covered our path completely?
I don’t have an answer for you, sorry. All I know is that life is sometimes messy, sometimes it feels too hard to deal with and sometimes it makes absolutely no sense– at least from our limited vantage point.
All I know for sure is…God is there. He will never leave us. We may not be able to see Him or His purpose clearly, but He is always there. I know this because I’ve experienced those times when I thought He left me, but once again it was from my limited view point. That is where that trust part comes into play, and it is dang hard sometimes especially when we are in the eye of that tornado.
God will give us the courage, the comfort, and the peace that we need. Here’s how God has recently shown me that comfort and peace.
It’s Monday, July 4th, we gather together with our hurting friends sharing our lives, our joys, hurts and struggles.
A friend shows up at just the right time to lend a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
I hear God’s quiet voice expressing love and read His grace-filled words.
The song of encouragement plays at just the right time.
The chapter in the book I’m reading speaks to my soul.
My husband shows his unconditional love, and the list goes on…
God is there my friends, don’t give up. You are loved. Watch for Him, lean into Him and rest.
Take some time to listen to this song by Laura Story, my hope is that it will be of encouragement.
Grace, Peace and Love be with you,
Pam
I find it soooo amazing how God has used you in my life over the past few years. I sure wish we lived closer together and could talk or communicate more often. You helped me learn so much about myself when you were my lifecoach and I am continually amazed at how our lives must be parallel because your blogs are always so fitting for what happens to be going on in my life. Over the past 6 months my life has been turned upside down in more ways than one and as soon as I was able I started focusing on hearing God’s voice because I’m sure He is trying to tell me something. I know it sounds corny but you are such a blessing to me!
Kelli,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am so grateful for you and that God has crossed our paths once again so that we may walk alongside each other in our journey – even if it is very long distance. I’m also grateful to hear that God is prompting you to listen for His voice. How amazing is that, that the God of the universe wants to speak to us and that we are able to hear Him! Thank you for that reminder. It will be exciting to hear what He reveals to you! Thank you for your words today, they came at just the right time.