Through it

Well, it has been a week of highs and lows, or as we call them at Faith works, Highlights and lowlights. I had a really great story that I have been working on that will help a lot of people. Maybe next week. Last night I was walking my spoiled rotten mutt at 3:30 am when I heard form God. Read on to see what he told me.


Through it.


When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Is 43:2


 Well, people's prayers in this part of West Texas have been answered. God sent rain. Then he sent some more, and then more still. When it stopped early this morning, the dog decided it was a great time to go out. I groggily put on my shoes and got the leash. We made it Ok for a few minutes and then began to have trouble picking out a route that did not include puddles. Not able to find a path I gritted my teeth and stepped into the puddle, completely soaking my Ked's. I told Benji, "Well I guess we gotta go through it." Immediately I was reminded of the old children's game, "Goin' on a Bear Hunt." I spent countless hours on my Grandpa's lap playing, with the cave being the fireplace with glass coals lit from below. I spent countless more hours with my children on my lap, playing the same game. After announcing that they are going on a bear hunt, the leader and children proudly announce that they are not afraid. They get to one obstacle after another such as a tree, a big rock or  a river depending on which version you play. They have to get past all the obstacles to get to the cave where the bear is hiding. No matter which version you play, there is at least one obstacle where this is the conclusion. "Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Can't go around it. Gotta go through it.!"


This feels like my life right now. There are several places in my life where I am sure God is working but I am having to wait and walk through it. I confess today that I am not very happy with God. A friend of ours passed away this week. I know all the Sunday school answers and the right things to say. I know she is with Jesus and I know she is not in pain and I know we will see her again, but I am still angry. I think God missed it on this one. Why would he take someone who was totally committed to Him, who was generous and helpful and compassionate and leave some of the turkey's who are actively spreading chaos and destruction? Do you know what I did? I told God that I was upset with him. I did hear the words I heard in church a couple of weeks ago about how "It came to pass, it didn't come to stay." That helped some but what helped more was just a reassuring sense of His presence, and a conviction that He was there with me, even in my anger. No lightning, no condemnation, but just a reminder of his faithful love.


Apparently I am not the only one to struggle with these things. Look at Isaiah 43:2.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Joshua 1:9 says Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or  be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you may go. God reassured Hagar that he is the God who see (el roi) in Genesis 16:13. So many other verses in the psalms and the gospels in particular tell us that God is with us in our struggles. We have to walk through some things but we do not have to walk through them alone. We have our God and we have each other. Hold on to both.