"The disappointments of life are simply the hidden appointments of love." CA Fox
The world has it right when they say that the tough things in life "build character." But if this is all that some think will come from challenges, then they are to be pitied, because our heavenly Father wants to fill us with hope--the hope of a Savior, the hope of heaven, and the hope of intimacy with the God-man who wants to be our best friend in this life--Jesus.
It is encouraging for me to think that I might not always be the girl I am today. Though I will never be nearly perfect (until Jesus comes again), and though God may not test me in a way the world views as "hard," it is encouraging to think that God could carry me through trials in my life to mature me and better equip me to encourage others. When I think of some of the inspiring people in my life or people in the Bible, they are people who have been through something hard or just through life!-- a series of daily of trials--and have found victory in their Savior. I know that if I were suddenly a grandma, hurled through time, and had the same attitude and amount of experiences as I do know, I probably wouldn't be a very good one. haha
anonymous poem from a Feb.1 devotion:
"This is from Me," the Savior said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
"For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Though, why perhaps you cannot see--
Grieve not for things you've seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee."
Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
"Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
It will not be hard since You do tread,
Each path before me here below."
And for my good this thing must be,
His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I'll sing, "Whatever be
God's way for me is always best."
Thank you for that poem at the end. I think I might print that off and keep it with me at work in my server book...to remind me when "the path before me" seems hard. :)
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