Broken Promises

I was walking in the park with our dog, Jack, when we came near a mother with her two children. One child was being pushed along in a baby stroller while the younger toddler could run and skip and play as the three walked througth the park. We were near enough that I heard a snippet of conversation which went something like this: “We were later in the park than planned, sweetie. We need to get home.” The little one with lips turned into a frown said, “But you promised.” Can you imagine the whole scenario? A promise made to the little one, perhaps a trip to the candy shop; but for reason beyond the understanding of the child, the promise had to be cancelled that day.

We’ve all been in situations, whether as a child or adult, when we were promised something or perhaps we made a promise, but life’s curcumstances, something beyond our control cancelled out the promise. We cannot always control our personal worlds. We do not know what tomorrow holds. We don’t even know for certain what the next hour has in store for us to face.

I have a friend whose brother had been taken to the eye doctor by his wife. Getting back in the car to go home the wife was chatting away but her husband didn’t answer. She looked at him slumped over in his seat. She pulled the car over. Her husband had died. Who would have thought that would happen when they got in the car to ride home? Life is uncertain. Plans can be made and hoped for, but nothing we plan is for sure.

The unintended broken promise of the young mother above and the uncertainty of our minutes on earth made me think of Psalm 146:5-6, But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever (NLT). The next time you’re disappointed in a brorken promise, one received or one given by yourself, be encouraged with God’s promises; they will never be broken. There are so many in His Word. Look for them. Meditate upon them. Peace will overide your disappointment giving you a sweet hope for your every unpredictable moment.

Reading on into the next Psalm there are promises right there: He heals the brokenhearted. His power is absolute. His understanding is beyond comprehension (Psalm 147:3&5 NLT). God’s promises are everlasting. They are comforting. They build trust and turn tears into quiet joy. Go ahead, look for promises today. You will absolutely find them.