Category Archives: Life’s disappointments

God’s Good Will

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Dropping offOne of 6 stops on my errand list today was the local Goodwill store, not to shop, but to drop off. Usually a heap of guilt accompanies this process: (1) I shouldn’t buy so much; (2) the things I buy ought to be better used; (3) giving away partially used items might insult those taking them in; (4) I have too much, while others have too little.

What is the right way to decide what we do or don’t need?

Sinai DesertI love the scriptural description of God’s care for the Israelites as they wandered back and forth in harsh desert conditions for 40 years. Being the practical God he was, he knew they wouldn’t come across any markets during those years and wouldn’t have a way to find water, food, or shelter. So he provided everything they needed, even clothes.

sandals

For example, at the end of their journey, he pointed out that their clothes hadn’t aged in 4 decades. It wasn’t just good luck, he told them. It was his direct doing. And he had an important reason for preventing even one sandal strap from breaking. As he put it, “…so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”  He wanted them to recognize him in action, to realize he was sustaining them personally through those difficult years. (Deuteronomy 29:6)

The Lord is still doing this kind of thing, not necessarily by way of miracle-clothes or super-sandals but by continuing to meet our needs. And that’s the key word: needs. He inspects our lives, each of us, and makes a divine analysis of what those are and then meets them.

In Philippians 4 Paul says, “My God shall supply all you need.” The obvious conclusion is that if we don’t have it, we didn’t need it. I remember my children asking for things unendingly and telling them, “But you don’t need that.”

Their responses were always the same: “But I waaaant it!”

We must sound much like wailing children to God when we complain about not having everything we want, especially if we point to someone else and say, “But why can she have it and I can’t?” He has his reasons.

He could have clothed the Israelites in new outfits that fell from heaven just like the manna and quails he sent exactly that way. Instead he let them make do with what they already had, causing each item to remain new-like instead, not as fun as new wardrobes but definitely a need met.

When we look for God’s near-presence in our lives, it’s best to remove our preconceived ideas of what he should be doing for us and let him decide what we need and how to provide it.

Goodwill store

Maybe he’ll even do it by directing us to purchase some gently-used clothing from a local Goodwill store.

“The Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.” (Deuteronomy 29:5)

Good to Go

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Yesterday while babysitting Emerald, I thought she might like a quick trip to the beach. The weather was perfect, and a short stroller walk there would add to our fun.

Grandson Micah

Normally I take a well-stocked backpack to the beach, but this trip I wouldn’t need those adult things. Instead I opted for a smaller tote just Emerald-sized. Gathering #50 SPF lotion and a clean towel, I figured we were, as grandson Micah says, “good-to-go.”

Emerald's suit

But then I wondered if Emerald might want to get wet and went back for her swimming suit. Together we rummaged through drawers till we found it, along with a sun hat, which I would have forgotten. And where was her beach cover-up?

Reaching toward the back of the closet with Emerald in my other arm, I found it, price tags still hanging from the sleeve. I passed her changing table in my search for a scissors and realized I’d almost forgotten to pack a spare diaper. Wipes, too, just in case.

Then while dressing her, it occurred to me I should probably bring something for her to drink. As Emerald began to feel heavy in my arms, we thawed some milk in hot water and made a bottle.

Just before we left, I decided to change her diaper and found it poopy, though I couldn’t find the wipes (which of course were in the beach bag). So, picking her up diaper-less while trying not to spread her mess, we retrieved them and finished the job, remembering to repack the wipes. Now we were definitely good-to-go.

But oops, I’d almost forgotten her beloved pacifier. Together we hunted, finding one on the floor (and washing it). But wait. I wanted to take my camera, so upstairs we went, baby, bag and me, on another hunt.

And finally….

Toys

….we headed for the door, but not before I decided to pack a few toys. Kneeling down with Emerald still in my arms, we chose her favorites from the basket, stuffing them into our now-plump, heavy bag. It had taken more time to prepare than we’d anticipated, so we swapped the stroller for the car and were, at long last, good-to-go.

I’m often caught unprepared, wondering why I didn’t think of this or that, or at least make a list. But one of my closest friends is Jesus Christ, and he’s just the opposite of me. He’s always prepared. As a matter of fact, he’s currently preparing something very special for me: a place in the hereafter. Sometimes when I’ve tried to prepare and failed, I think of the thorough job Jesus is doing, and I’m thankful it’s him and not me. Nothing will be forgotten, and my eternity will be glorious!

Beach party!

By the way, Emerald loved our beach excursion, but after 90 minutes she was hungry. Sadly, I’d forgotten the bottle on the kitchen counter.

The sad truth is, as hard as I try, I’ll probably never be completely “good-to-go”…. until, that is, it’s time for heaven.

Jesus said, “I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

 

Going to War

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This morning I met with my prayer group in our weekly effort to bring 200+ requests to God for his answers. Because we make an effort get the job done before morning moves into afternoon, we try to be efficient, though never sacrificing Spirit-led diversions from having their way.

We categorize according to illnesses, revival, church concerns, career problems, missions, community services, and more. We also pray for our government and for the military, including any in our congregation on active duty.

Soldiers in combat

This morning as one of the ladies prayed about war zones and soldiers, my thoughts wandered to that familiar old aphorism, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” It originated in the 1940’s and implies that everyone who finds themselves under extreme stress will seek the help of a higher power.

Army rucksacks used to include pocket New Testaments as an encouragement toward that higher power, but in recent years they’ve been eliminated. Maybe there just isn’t room anymore, with everything else a soldier has to carry:

  • rifleMilitary rucksack
  • ammo
  • food rations
  • water canteens
  • batteries
  • body armor
  • helmet
  • first aid kit
  • grenades
  • notebook & pen
  • maps
  • 2-way radio
  • compass
  • GPS
  • flak jacket
  • gloves
  • ear plugs
  • goggles
  • weapon cleaning kit
  • book of local language

And that’s just the first 20 items. Depending on the mission, there might be many more. The goal is to protect our fighting men and women as thoroughly as possible, although the weight of these supplies often reaches 100 pounds.

But what if a soldier said, “All that stuff just weighs me down, so my plan is to leave it behind when I go into battle. I’ll be able to run faster and stay energized longer without that extra 100 pounds, which is a more sensible way to fight.”

We’d all argue against that, but in life’s spiritual battles, for those of us waging war against temptations every day, we often do exactly that. Ephesians 6 details a supply list that offers sure protection:

  • belt of truth
  • body armor of God’s righteousness
  • shoes prepared with the gospel of peace
  • shield of faith
  • helmet of salvation
  • sword of the Spirit
  • the Word of God

When we lose a battle, we should immediately take inventory of our fighting gear. Did we forget to bring (or purposely leave behind) our protective equipment?

Camoflage New Testament

It’s a shame New Testaments have been eliminated from standard military supply, though the 20+ items soldiers do carry are sure to help them. But for those of us not currently in the military, it’s that same New Testament that contains the only effective supply list that will help us conquer our enemies day-to-day.

And it weighs far less than 100 pounds.

“We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)