Happy Wednesday, church family!
This week started off with a bang. On Monday, I witnessed the most insane amount of injustice and lying directed at a dear friend. To top it off, I was called the most derogatory name I might have ever been called. Friends, on Monday, I was hot. I came home so hot that my daughter’s boyfriend was a little afraid of me. (If you’ve ever seen the movie Inside Out, I WAS the character Anger). The next morning, I sat down to write this. I failed, because, let’s be honest, there was still a lot of anger milling around my noggin. It’s just not fair for my friend to have to go through these things, for the person hurting her to call others foul names, and for the disappointment that ensued from the day as a whole. It’s not fair and it sucks. *foot stomp*
Then, as usual, words from Andy’s sermon came back to haunt, I mean nudge me. He asked us to take a moment this week to think about what Jesus has rescued us from. Well, that’s fine and great, Andy. It’s easy when things are going smoothly to reflect on the good that God has done. Like what we’ve accomplished with His help, what He’s brought us through, and where He’s helped us grow. But in the middle of the mire? Well, it’s a little harder to see. In full disclosure, I started writing this from the perspective of ‘all is good, let’s reflect’. Then Kurt reminded me that in the midst of my fuming, it’s not always that easy.
Yet even in the midst of the yuck, Jesus IS there. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the worst parts of the day, I forget to be grateful for the good. And I’m not just talking about Monday. In the middle of the most difficult times, it’s so hard to remember all the other times Jesus has gotten me through. The times I’ve been curled up on the closet floor bawling, where it seems like there’s absolutely no end to tragedy, (Spoiler: it did come to an end.) I survived, and I grew, because Jesus rescued me.
Today, I stand on top of all the chaos that has ensued in my life, on Monday, and all the other days. Jesus has been with me through all of them. Regardless of their size and impact, from frustration at another driver, to walking through the process of death with my mom, He held me, and gave me the strength to get through. It’s because of the mountain of bleh that I stand on, that I know I can manage the next hill covered with anger, hurt, or pain. I just have to remember where I’ve been. Also, that the end, or even the journey itself, might not be MY plan A, but regardless of the outcome, I’m not alone. I’m held by my Creator through it all. I’m stronger than I think, because Jesus is with me on the journey. The enemy will try to break me, but, in the end, Jesus wins. When it’s all over, we WILL stand above the chaos, victorious with our Savior.
Jesus, thank You for getting me through every single day of my life, some unscathed, some definitely scathed. I choose today to look at those scars, those battle wounds, as areas that You used to grow my strength, my faith, and my confidence. Because of You, I can keep going. Thank You for holding me. Bless and seal these good things in me,, in Your name, amen.
May your week be blessed,
Lisa
