When Life Knocks Us Sideways

Those of you who regularly read my blog will know that I put out a new entry every Friday.  I missed this Friday due to unforeseen circumstances that would not allow me the time needed to simply sit down and write.  Several of you have noticed; you have emailed or texted to ask if all is well.  I thank you for noticing and for sharing your concern.  You have touched me with your expressions of care.

We’ve all had days or weeks — months even — when life takes over our schedules in ways we do not desire.  Events happen that move us out of our routine.  We are pushed by the unexpected into a realm of anxiety.  Such has been the case for me this week.  Several events happened all at once and they wouldn’t go away!  I felt a bit knocked over sideways, like a football player when they’re running toward the goal and all of a sudden they’re tackled to the ground.  They just didn’t see it coming.

Unexpected and unwanted events happen to us all.  When they do, we can be placed into a spin of a myriad of emotion.  Questions begin to take over all other reasonable thoughts in our minds. Will things turn out alright?  What will be happening tomorrow?  Will I feel hopeful again? Will this sinkhole of hurt ever spit me back up onto solid ground?  Am I doomed to feel this way forever?  Plaguing thoughts can push out our hope and keep our wheels spinning in a mire of stress, taking us no where.

Events of life can seemingly take on a life of its very own, ruling our time, holding us in a grip of tremendous pressure.  We wonder if and when it will end.  Does this describe the results of unwanted events that have come into your own lives at various times?  No one can escape unwanted, hurtful, stress filled days, but wonderfully, for the child of God, no one has to remain in the clutches of such tension.

God’s Word, our Father’s own love letter to each of us, is filled with words of great encouragement.  Our Father’s words are more than meaningful words on paper; they are living words that reach down, bringing lasting comfort, lifting broken spirits, mending shattered dreams, soothing the grieving heart.  Our Father watches our every step.  He knows there will be times of difficulty and suffering.  Does He merely watch — knowing but doing nothing?  Oh, no!  He watches and begins pouring in His balm of love and hope and peace.  He never leaves us in good times or bad; He scoops us up into His strong arms, whispers His own love into our waiting ears, bringing hope that nothing else can bring.  This is our Father.

My own shattered peace has come to know another peace that no other could bring; only my Father can love so perfectly, heal so quickly, and whisper sweet, living words of hope.  I especially have loved this verse in Jeremiah 29:11 during many times of unrest in my life.  “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  That’s the God we serve, the One who is capable and desiring always, to breathe into our worlds of confusion, bringing His peace, taking our hands, leading us through to peaceful streams and greener pastures.

Thank you, my dear Father.  There is none like You.  Thank you.