Littles Wisdom

 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

I think we all know we need a problem in order to need a miracle, right? A financial needs to manifest itself in order for us to receive a financial blessing. We need to be aware of sin and struggles in our life before we desire and seek out salvation and experience the grace and mercy of God. There needs to be a sickness before a healing is needed. As one of my grands used to say, “We have a sit-ti-ation!” We need a situation before we need a miracle.

I also wrote the other day about gifts and challenges (go back and read it if you haven’t!); about how they come hand in hand. Kind of like I’ve also written before about there being a storm in every miracle. A frustration in every breakthrough. But, do we quit desiring the breakthrough? The miracle? The gifts? I’d dare say we don’t. Sure, they’re the “unwanted” portions, or so we think, but they help keep us grounded. I was thinking about this when I remembered how my oldest grand likes to tease with the phrase, “Well, that was rude!” Do we not feel the same way as adults when we’re flying high on a miracle, then are suddenly slapped in the face with that unwanted portion? Funny. Not funny.

I can think of many these types of instances in my lifetime and I’m sure you can as well.

I’m currently sitting poolside, dangling my feet in the clear, cool water. So refreshing! Guess what though? Last year we had no refreshing water of which to speak; in fact, it was army-green colored and swimming with frogs and tadpoles. We needed to replace our liner and also a dilapidated, rotting deck surrounding mentioned “pond.” Issues which were severe and in dire need of our attention. As He does, God blessed us and we were able to tear it all down and start afresh this year. That blessing didn’t come without a lot of hard, frustrating, labor intensive work on our part.

Now, the pool is functioning properly and the family is enjoying sunny pool time together…

and, I must wash towels and swimming clothes, keep the pool vacuumed and chlorinated, feed hungry kiddos, buy toys and blow up rafts (why do they make it so difficult?), and make regular purchases of expensive pool chemicals. On and on the list could go.

Yeah, I know. It all comes with the territory, right? Do I not want the pool anymore because of all the added work? No. I enjoy it alone and with my family. As with every other scenario in life, we must be willing to take the good with the not-so-good. That’s just the nature of living.

The rough and frustrating parts make me even more thankful for all the days, blessings and things which go right.

It’s Wednesday, and as is typical, I’ve thought a lot about my son today. The one who gained his wings almost 8 years ago now. I’m sure it goes without saying, I’ve had some very dark and frustrating moments since then. I’ve also learned what grief is, what depression is, how to carry it all better with the help of God Almighty, and be a help or just a listening ear to others who might be on this same path. There are good things which arose out of the darkest part of my life. God is good and big enough to allow it to all balance out somehow.

We live from mountain top to mountain top…what comes in between is plain ole life - where we grow and learn to lean on and trust in the Lord. Where we are “tried” and tested.

Maybe this seems a little all over the place today, for I know some trials are much bigger than some of the things I’ve shared today. However, God is the same God — in the huge problems and the minuscule. He cares about every part of our life and sanctification.

Over the last five weeks, I’ve heard many times, “Watch me, Noni!” And, I do so. Is not our God the same? Will He not answer our call?

He knows our situations, sees exactly where we’re at, and is working continuously on our behalf as He faithfully walks by our side all the way through the deepest valleys and up the roughest mountain terrain. He sees where we’re rejoicing and where we’re struggling to hold on to our faith — just as He did with the Israelites in the wilderness. He’s right there through it all! He’s watching us.

I guess if I could encourage you in any way today, I’d tell you it’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay. The situation might not be what you want it to be, but hold on, God always has a plan. If we’re going to accept the good from Him, we have to cling to Him in the hard moments as well. We have all of His promises to hold onto and His eternal promise above all.

My grands were playing the other day and the eldest told the other to tell her mommy to “cut her some slack.” We laughed because it was funny in the moment, but it’s okay to ask the Lord to cut us some slack sometimes. Sometimes life just feels a tad overwhelming. He knows , is watching you, and is okay with our weariness. He won’t leave us there though! He has a crown with our name on it.

So, using the crazy, silly words of my grands…

It okay to tell God you “have a sit-i-ation.”

It’s even okay to admit to Him, “Well, that was rude!” (Yes, He can handle the truth, He knows what we are thinking and feeling anyhow!)

It’s okay to ask God to “watch me.”

It’s also okay to ask God to “cut me some slack.”

These little grands of mine have a bit of wisdom that I didn’t really notice until now. They’re able to recognize a problem, admit they’re frustrated, ask for my attention, and to admit when they cannot do it in their own. That’s simple…and what we must to do as adults too.

Above all and through it all -

Stay steadfast through the test. Keep on loving Jesus through the hardships. Be blessed and at peace knowing that “even in this” blessing and a reward is sure to come simply because of God’s character and promises to His own.

Be blessed today ~

Hope you’ve been blessed by my sharing today…and enjoyed my grands pics taken over the 4th. Here’s one more for your viewing pleasure (laugh, it’s ok and does the heart good!):

all 4 of my grands! 🤪