Remember the ‘Slinky’ toy? Invented by Robert James, they were originally metal and appeared on the scene in the 1940’s. Still popular today, available in many colors and in a plastic material, they are incredibly flexible. I remember watching my slinky go down the stairs. Fascinating! They stretch to several times their original size, and go forwards and backwards.
The introduction to my blog states my need to remember flexibility – holding my schedule loosely – because His plan may be (and usually is) different.
I am being pinned to that statement right now as my heart is disappointed in the change of plans we had. We are blessed to have two of our grown children and their families living within three miles of us. This means we get to see the three grandkids who live here at least once a week, often a few times a week. We also have a grown son and his family who live across the country on the east coast. Again, we have been incredibly blessed to be able to see them and our two east-coast grandchildren about every 3-4 months. Either we fly there or they fly here. So here we are prepared for their visit, anticipating a time of family all being together, planning to pick them up at the airport and we get a phone call. A fever and a highly contagious virus has presented itself in their children! One day before they leave. Bummer. Disappointment. Heartache for the hugs that won’t happen. Sadness for cousins who were all looking forward to their visit. Really missing my sweet little ones and their Mommy and Daddy.
But, God knows. He’s in control. He has allowed this sudden change of plans and it will be used for His purpose and glory. Trying to be thankful that this virus presented itself the day before rather than on a flight. Those are the truths, now how to snap out of a tearful heart and move through the day with a smile that is not just pasted on the outside but coming from a joyful heart within.
These things are hard. So Lord, please show me Your faithfulness in Your word as I trust in You. I know this isn’t a very big deal in comparison with most other disappointments, in fact, right now even in our own personal lives, we are dealing with several more serious issues. But, we were so looking forward to squeezing our little grandbabies. On to the truths of scripture to find salve for an aching heart.
This same day, in the afternoon, I ran into a friend at the store. When I asked her how she was doing she shook her head and tears welled up in her eyes. So, we stepped aside and she shared with me that her daughter at 26 weeks pregnant, with her first child, just found out they needed to deliver the baby early because of some complications. She talked, we prayed, and spoke of the truths of God’s word – His plan, no matter how difficult or confusing it may seem, is perfect. We all need to hold on to the truth of that fact because our emotions and feelings can take us elsewhere. Such as, ‘It isn’t fair’, or ‘Why’.
Consider. Is it fair that Jesus died for all man’s sin when He Himself is perfect? Is it fair that He was silent as He was mocked and scourged, even while He was innocent?
What is fair? To treat someone with fairness means there is no favor being shown, nothing more nothing less than deserved. Certainly, if God’s Son willingly chose to release His deity in order to redeem mankind, we can only be thankful and humbled that we are not ourselves held to fairness in our own condition. What do we deserve? Eternal separation from God. Nothing good or right or beautiful. No blessings, or enjoyment or pleasure. What do we have? God’s children have an eternal promise of heaven; everything good, right and beautiful; abundant blessings, enjoyment and pleasure. Why? Because of His great love.
We can develop high expectations of what we should have or deserve when the reality is, if we were to think in terms of fairness, none of us have been given what we truly deserve. Even those who have rejected God’s sacrifice have been given air to breathe and countless other blessings too numerous to list. I pray my response, even in difficulties and disappointments, is always one of thankfulness for everything I do have. And a heart of gratitude for everything that has been withheld because of God’s mercy. Thank you Lord that I have not been treated with fairness.
We’ve all been in situations where decisions we’ve made have proven to be wrong. Think of the times you’ve inadvertently run a red light or almost caused an accident while driving, yet you were protected. Fairness would mean you would have received a traffic violation at the very least. Each of us can remember times when it seems we’ve been given a second and even third chance to improve. Fairness would mean getting what we deserve, no second chances. Mercy is what we’ve been given.
Ps 86:15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
Eph 2:1-9 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
1Ch 16:34 O give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Mercy that endures forever is what we have in Christ.
In Psalm 136, the phrase ‘His mercy endures forever’ is stated in each of the 26 verses. It is a hymn of praise. Can you imagine it being sung in ancient times, perhaps in Solomon’s Temple, as the people remembered their deliverance from Egypt and journey through the wilderness? God’s mercy was understood and voices of thankfulness were lifted to Him for His exceeding mercies. They deserved none of what they received and received not what they truly deserved.
We neither want nor need fairness. We need mercy! For each day. Let’s praise God for what we have, focusing on His great lovingkindness towards us, recognizing even in disappointment, He is the One guiding our lives for His glory. Circumstances may change around us unexpectedly but God and his mercy will never change. I pray I am able to lift a heart of gratitude towards my great God at all times.
What! give God thanks for everything,
Whatever may befall –
Whatever the dark clouds may bring?
Yes, give God thanks for all;
For safe He leads thee, hand in hand,
To thy blessed Fatherland.
What! thank Him for the lonely way He to me hath given –
For the path which, day by day
Seems farther off from heaven?
Yes, thank Him, for He holds thy hand
And leads thee to thy Fatherland.
Close, close He shields thee from all harm;
And if the road be steep,
Thou know’st His everlasting arm
In safety doth He keep,
Although thou canst not understand
The winding to thy Fatherland.
What blessing, thinkest thou, will He,
Who knows the good and ill,
Keep back, if it is good for thee,
While climbing up the hill?
Then trust Him, and keep fast His hand,
He leads thee to thy Fatherland.
The Christian Treasury, 1865
