Trials

Two of my good friends' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. This woman's sister recently died from cancer a hemisphere away. Her father died recently, too. How scary for this woman and her family, faced with life and death uncertainty.

A dear friend of mine in prison is getting out either in 50 days or next April, or anywhere in between. He's in a dormitory setting, and has absolutely zero time alone to his thoughts. Being cooped up with life's more inconsiderate people is challenging. The uncertainty of his release date is straining. He longs to be out, but that's when the real challenge begins: how to find a job that will not reject him because of labels, how to recover his finances and relationships from past poor choices, how to resist temptation in the face of despairing circumstance. 

A friend can't get a job, because he doesn't have a vehicle, and he can't get a vehicle without money. Do you know how challenging this is for a man who was in prison for 14 years for armed robbery? A man who lived a gang life selling and doing drugs? He wants to live an honest, reputable life. What chances does he have? The only big encouragement he's had recently is getting an apartment through housing authority--his first space to himself ever--we rejoice! The comfort and joy of this chance has me rethinking my prejudice against governmental assistance…

These stories could go on and on. We all have our strains, our obstacles, our fears. 

Dear Jesus, my heart groans! There's pain, sympathy, frustration, and inexplicable more welling up. You know all things. All we have to offer is our tears and petty "strength". This world is broken, WE are broken. Come fill us with your life, your hope, your wisdom. Renew our strength, renew our hope. Open our eyes to the blessings around us.  

God, there is nothing I can do for you. But I will let you do amazing things for me, in me, through me. Give me your spirit, give me your blessing, give me your power, give me your patience and compassion, give me your strength, give me your comfort. And you know, Lord, when I say 'me', I'm saying it for each one of us. Lord Jesus, come. 

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"APPROACH EACH NEW DAY with desire to find Me. Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day. There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayer. I have not abandoned this sin-wracked world; I am still richly present in it.

Search for deep treasure as you go through this day. You will find Me all along the way."

 (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)