Lately I've begun to wonder if God has my interests at heart. As a wife and mother, all my carefully laid plans have changed.
Halted.
Put on hold.
Changed directions.
Interrupted.
All of my plans have been interrupted in one way or another. Each seems connected to the other. Our finances have taken a hit, the extra work I was doing for income will not be an option this fall. Our dreams we had for our daughter have been interrupted by a recent diagnosis of Aspergers and the therapy for her is intensely expensive, yet needed. It’s brought an uncertain future, intense therapy, a new reality. My position in ministry has made me wonder if it’s where God wants me because others are questioning my ability due to inexperience. Then there’s my writing, my dream of being an author, it’s taken a slower track because of one glitch or another. If He truly is in all of this like His word says, then what on earth is He up to?
God’s message in Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.”
Are you a mom like me whose life has been interrupted in some way? It’s made you feel as if you’ve been sucker-punched. Maybe it’s because of a recent diagnosis, you didn’t get the promotion you were expecting, your finances have plummeted to rock bottom, your husband or friend hasn’t been totally honest with you, or maybe that pregnancy test is negative—again. These interruptions happen to everyone, they come in large sizes and small. Irritating and inconvenient.
Maybe all these interruptions aren’t just interruptions, maybe He is telling us something. Maybe He is trying to teach us an important life lesson that we will need as the foundation for what He has in store for us later. Maybe He wants us to get closer to His heart before we move ahead with our futures. Either way, no matter the situation, we need to turn around and run to Him. Look to Him despite the situation. Ask Him for the direction He wants you to go. These interruptions are your chance to see Him take center stage and watch Him work out these details. The life lessons we learn are so much greater than the plans we had in store in the first place.
Are you willing to run to God during your problem, or are you running from Him. Let’s approach Him with an open heart and express our worries. Then let’s sit back and wait with full expectation to watch Him work in our lives. We have to be willing and expectant.
What interruptions have caused you to question God? Are you willing to run to Him or from Him. Leave a comment and start the conversation, so many moms are looking for others to be transparent with their struggles.
Life interrupted? Been there, done that. (And probably will be again later this week!) A daughter with Cornelia de Lange syndrome mixed with autistic behaviors. A son with asthma. Chronic fatigue syndrome for me.
ReplyDeleteI've found that dealing with life's interruptions is a lot like making lemonade from lemons. A sour pucker reaction. Messy (but real) emotions like being cut in half, upended and squeezed until there's nothing left. Reminders that God is in control and He is good are like sugar to counteract the sour. Watered down by a whole lot of normal life and laundry. Taking action steps like therapy (stirring) with the support of family and friends (a pitcher). Periods of waiting (chilling). Celebrating the successes (sipping). Sharing what we've learned with others.
My daughter is now 14 and it's been an amazing journey. A journey that led me to offer encouragement to other parents through my latest book, Making Lemonade: Parents Transforming Special Needs.
Hang in there, Heather. There's a light at the end of this tunnel ... and a lot of other moms to encourage along the way.
Hmmm the Lord must be working on all His children with similar issues. I blogged today about seeing unanswered prayers as answered His way. Come check it out! http://livelaughlove-brandi.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteBrandi and Candee, cute your names rhyme. I agree with both of you, its about God answering His way and making something sweet in the process, in the waiting. Thanks for your thoughts. Love your blogs. Amazing, encouraging.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a bit of your difficult journey. Thirty-two years ago, I had just started my daycare operation, my older son was in school, my younger son was 3. We had given all the "baby" stuff away and were planning on banking my income and buying a piece of property with a cabin near a river (we love fly-fishing). And then, I found out I was pregnant...surprise, disappointment, and, to be honest, some anger as well...all of our plans would be dashed. Didn't God want us to have that cabin? But, nine months later, our daughter was born. She made us smile then...and she has been a blessing to all whose lives she touches.
Do we have that cabin? No, that was not in God's plans for us...but we've stayed at cabins on rivers many times. :) We didn't need to own one in order to enjoy fishing on a river!
We've connected before, Heather...if you have time, check out my post on fly-fishing with our grandchildren. :)www.viviankirkfield.wordpress.com