Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In Other Words--Hard Times to Deeper Faith

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Last night, German and I were transferring photos from our old PC to our new PC. Then we were looking for a few "good" ones to print to take to family in the States on our upcoming holiday. With the exception of the cruise, we had very few photos from the last year...or the year before. For a family that had averaged 1000 photos a month it was a dramatic change. I made the comment that it was a stark reflection of just how difficult the last two years have been that we have not recorded every moment with digital pictures. German's response was just a wry laugh.

These two years may not be recorded in virtual ink, but they are recorded in something far more lasting. They are recorded in depth of faith. The difficult things that we have faced, some things that I could never even put into the private thoughts of a journal, have underscored a clinging to God that nothing else in my life has ever created. Difficult circumstances that are beyond my human control have herded me into the arms of my Father. For that I am grateful.

For Christmas, I gave Rod this canvas painting that says "God is Good, All the Time." It was our motto before the difficult period. It became our lifeline during that period that no matter how bleak we felt, God was still good. It is our testimony on the other side. We know that whatever we face in the future we face it with a good God who helped us through the trial.

I asked German the other night if things were truly that much easier here, or if it was just our new normal. He thought for a moment and said that they are easier because the emotion of the difficulty has passed. What he left unsaid, and what we both knew from the eye contact we exchanged, was that it was also the new normal because we were forever changed by the circumstances. And it is a good new normal. It is more dependent on God and less dependent on others. It is more resilient, and it is more compassionate to others' circumstances. It is a good place to be.

God loves you. He loves you so much that He's allowed this trial to push you to the point where you have no choice but to look to Him."
~When Life is Hard ~James MacDonald~

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
intent on putting them to death;
but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
Hope in the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
~Psalm 37:32-34~

I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.
~Hosea 11:4~


Father thank you for your gentle leading during the trials of life. Thank you for your faithfulness to my family when so many others were unfaithful. Forgive me for the times I focused on the circumstances instead of on you. Thank you that these two years were not wasted years, but were used by you to kindle a deeper relationship. Help me to not forget your faithfulness and to trust in your plans for the future. Amen.

Today's hostess for In Other Words is Debbie at Heart Choices. Please go and read what others are saying. You can always find a blessing at Debbie's blog!

7 comments:

Debbie Petras said...

Thank you for participating in this quote for IOWT. Trials aren't fun and yet God is so faithful. In the midst of those difficult two years, you clung to the Lord. There's no better place to be. You're right. We each have our different circumstances. But we both praise and worship the same Almighty God.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Karen said...

"They are recorded in the depth of faith." I like that comment because it is so true. Its something we may not see right away but it shows up sooner or later. Thanks for sharing today.

Bonnie W said...

Miriam! How wonderful to see you here - I've been away from IOW for a long time.

I can relate to your thoughts about difficult times helping us to grow and develop a "new normal."

I also chuckled as I read your post because just yesterday I gave a devotional talk to a local group about "Normal"

God is so good. Thanks for sharing today.

Marsha Young said...

Miriam, Thank you for your thoughtful, and thought-provoking post today.

Your comment about how "mottos" become "lifelines" struck such a chord with me. Mottos, those pleasant little snippets that we use to affirm our beliefs. How pale compared to a "lifeline" - that sturdy rope of survival to which we cling when all else has failed us.

Thank God he sent us a Lifeline named Jesus. He is still holding the the other end secure. God bless you (and thank you for your comments at Spots and Wrinkles earlier today.)...Marsha Young

Yolanda said...

I loved this post and thanks for sharing it. I did one yesterday on much the same topic. Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Tami said...

I'm so glad you are through the emotions of the difficulty and focusing on the good in the new. May God continue to heal and strengthen you, my friend. Love you.

Anonymous said...

"God is GOOD. I will not despair." This is one of the 5 promises in James MacDonald's new book Always True. Sounds like you are living this promise - and like this book would be meaningful to you, too! Thanks for the encouragement in this post.