As we enter this new year, there are some guarantees in life. There will be good times this year and there will be bad times this year. There will be happy memories created this year and memories that we may want to forget. During those times of hurt, pain, and trials, I have learned that God is still in control.
Our family went through an unexpected trial this past year that impacted every single person in our household. It was difficult and it lasted a while. We had to pray and believe that God would bring us through the trial and He did. As we were recovering from that trial, a new problem showed up. It was unexpected and demanded our family’s immediate attention. As we were weary from what we had just gone through, the only thing that moved us through the second trial was prayer and taking things minute by minute.
While it would have been easy to blame God for allowing us to go through one trial right after another. And some family members did feel that way. I prayed and heard that God is in control of when the trials come, how long they last and what they are. In other words, He did not allow both trials to occur at the same time, which would have been disastrous and lives would have been impacted and possibly lost. God allowed the family to have a period of recovery before entering the second trial. He is in control, even when we cannot see Him or feel Him or hear Him. He is in control.
The Bible tells us that we will face trials, not maybe or possibly, but that we will face trials. We should not be shocked or scared when trials show up. There is a saying that you are either in a trial, heading toward one or just coming out of one. That is life on earth, it is filled with trouble and trials. James 1:2 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..”. How is there joy in trials? There isn’t joy in the trial itself. The joy is in the knowledge that God is in control. He loves you and has every detail covered, your role in the trial is to pray through what God wants you to learn from the trial.
Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Your love and for Your Word. Thank You that You have warned us there will be hurt and pain in this earthly life. Help us to keep our eyes on You, help us to trust You and bring all of our cares and concerns to You. Help us to hear You, feel You and see You as we go through trials. Protect us and guide us. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.
I had a pile of dirt dropped off in my yard and then had to spread it all around. When the pile of dirt arrived, it was much more than I expected. Nonetheless, I was grateful to have the dirt pile and started working on spreading it. Almost six hours later, I felt like I had barely shoveled any dirt, the pile remained huge. I felt overwhelmed as I went inside for the night as it was too dark to see the dirt pile. The next day, I went outside refreshed by my prayer time in the morning and ready to see what God wanted to teach me.
Lesson #5: There were times when I was tiring out, but when you are weary, stay focused on God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” So whether you have enough energy to soar like an eagle or enough energy to run or only enough energy left to walk – God will meet you where you are and give you strength to keep going.
Lesson #6: There were times when I lifted a heavy load of dirt wrong and caused pain in my muscles. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”. During those moments when I did not do something quite right or twisted the wrong way, God was right there to protect me. I had to focus on the blue sky, feel the breeze, be grateful for the dirt and be grateful that I could move and lift and garden. I am so grateful that God protects and loves us always, He is always right there – even in a daily task like shoveling dirt.
Lesson #7: Doing the right thing does not mean there will be no issues. The dirt was going to be disposed of. Instead, I requested that the dirt be dumped in my yard because the dirt came from the same land as mine and in my opinion needed to stay on the land; I thought that was the right thing to do. The lesson here is that just because you are doing the right thing does not mean there will be no issues or problems. In fact, many times when you are trying to do the right thing, there are more problems as the enemy tries to thwart your efforts to do the right thing.
Lesson #8: Pace yourself. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says. “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.” Take your time and move at a pace that your body is comfortable with, take breaks and talk to God. Pray and listen to Him versus running yourself ragged. Hebrews 12:1 says, “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Notice that this verse says ” with endurance”, not speed.
Lesson #9: If you can, find someone to accompany you in your task. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” If you can find someone to help you physically with your task or through praying, two are better than one.
Lesson #10: The most important lesson from the dirt pile is a personal one that may also apply to you as we enter a new year. I learned through the dirt pile that God is still talking. He is talking all the time, but sometimes the busyness of this world drowns Him out. As I shoveled dirt for hours, there was nothing to take my attention away from God. I removed myself from the noise of the world, got into nature and just had a conversation with God.
When was the last time you put the phone away, turned off the television, and went to be alone with God? Jesus did. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” In this new year, may we spend more time in prayer than we ever have before, may we create time and space to just be with God, the lover of our souls. This new year, there will be hustle and bustle and there will be problems and hurt – that is life. Make a relationship with God your priority every day and you will be filled with a peace that surpasses human understanding.
Let’s pray using Solomon’s prayer of blessings. “Lord God, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, who keeps the gracious covenant with your servants who walk before you with all their heart. You have fulfilled your promise by your power as it is today. Therefore, Lord God, listen to your servant’s prayer and petition, so that you may hear the cry and the prayer that your servant prays before you today. When your people return to you and praise your name, may you hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people. When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and when they return to you with all their heart and all their soul and when they pray to you, may you hear in heaven, their prayer and petition and uphold their cause. May you forgive your people, and may you grant them compassion. May your eyes be open to your servant’s petition and to the petition of your people, listening whenever they call to you.” In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Gardening is a wonderful activity! There’s fresh air, exercise and the chance to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. There are occasions when I underestimate the time commitment needed for gardening, such as how long it takes to plant multiple large trees. Or that two hundred flower bulbs take several hours to plant deep enough and then water. Recently, I had the opportunity to obtain some ‘good’ dirt. Gardners know that there is regular dirt and then there is ‘good’ dirt, which is the kind that makes plants grow better.
This pile of dirt was deposited into my yard and then had to be spread all around. When the pile of dirt was dropped off, it was much more than I expected. Nonetheless, I was grateful to have the dirt pile and started working on spreading it. Almost six hours later, I felt like I had barely shoveled any dirt, the pile remained huge. I felt overwhelmed as I went inside for the night as it was too dark to see the dirt pile.
Lesson #1: The next day, I returned to work on the dirt pile, convinced that I would finish it that day. After a few hours, I stepped back and focused on how much dirt was left to be moved. I started to feel overwhelmed again. I then heard the Holy Spirit say, “Do not focus on what is undone, focus on what has been done.” I went back to work feeling inspired.
Lesson #2: To spread the dirt, I had a shovel, a wheelbarrow and a pitchfork. The wheelbarrow always leans to the left and tips over a lot. I was getting frustrated each time it tipped over spilling dirt in a place that I did not want it. I then heard the Spirit say, “Use the tools you have in the way they work best.” This made me realize that things do not always work as they were made to work. Knowing the wheelbarrow was always going to tip left, I needed to change the way I was using it. I loaded it up heavier on the right and lined it up to dump out the dirt on the left so it would tip easier. This made me think about people. God made each of us with a certain way that we are inclined to work best. Instead of trying to get others to fit into the way I think they should work, I need to to see the way they work as a strength.
Lesson #3: There were times that my back hurt or I felt tired, in those moments I had to realize that it is okay to take a break. The dirt pile will still be there after I take a few minutes to just breathe and pray.
Lesson #4: I learned that working on the same side of the dirt pile did not provide a complete picture. It is good to walk around the situation and take inventory. Consider things from all sides and you may learn something about what you are working on that will make the task easier.
Let’s pray. Father, as we enter into a new year, we pray Solomon’s prayer of blessing.“Blessed be the Lord! Not one of all the good promises He made has failed. May the Lord our God be with us. May He not abandon us or leave us so that He causes us to be devoted to Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commands. May all the peoples of the earth know that the Lord is God. There is no other! Be wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord our God to walk in His statutes and to keep His commands, as it is today.” In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Wounded Butterflies 