Hubby not only brings home the bacon, he wraps it around pork loin and cooks it for dinner. He works hard to make it possible for me to work hard, too. He’s like the green onions he rooted and then planted: He keeps on giving and providing and sprouting for his family’s benefit. He doesn’t just look good in the window; he enhances the flavor of my whole life. I love me some him.
But that wasn’t the song I sang the other day. Tuesday was just a rainy mess, and Think Tank had soccer. Despite all my fussing about the risks of practicing soccer on slippery fields, my recommendations to check in with the coach, my requests to scour his e-mail for a message about cancelation, it wasn’t until after I’d driven through the pouring rain that Hubby realized that soccer had been canceled earlier that day. At that moment, I was humming the “Hubby-never-listens-to me-I’m-hot-as-fish-grease” tune.
Hills and valleys. Rollercoaster rides. Waxing and waning. Going where the wind blows. That’s where and how my emotions travel.
And God’s got my number. One minute I’m singing His praises, trusting His promises, telling folks about the good and gracious, ever-present God I serve. The next I’m questioning His intentions, fretting about delayed answers, and wallowing in my sackcloth and ashes. I wonder, “God, I don’t feel Your presence. I need you. Where are You?” From gracious to capricious in one fell swoop on my unbalanced scale.
Well, God is ever present, gracious, and good. Always. He keeps on giving, loving, and working on my behalf regardless of my moods, feelings, and thoughts—and believe me, I’ve felt all of them. His steadfastness and faithfulness sustain my own faintly beating heart. And since He’s strong enough to withstand my onslaught of questions, fears, and doubts, God can surely handle whatever you’re facing, no matter who’s in office, what storm is brewing, if gas prices skyrocket, or how your hormones fluctuate.
That Tuesday when I got home from the soccer practice that wasn’t, Hubby met me at the truck with an umbrella and a smile, shielding me from the rain while dousing my burning frustration. And dinner was simmering on the stove.
Again, just the grace of God. No matter the temperature of my heart, He’s just a hunk, a hunk of divine, burning Love.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:8-11)
Oh, Robin, you speak my language. 🙂 We humans can be like a kite in a wind storm.
I recently read the (intriguing, interesting, encouraging) story ~ Newton & Polly (Jody Hedlund), the story of John Newton’s life as an adult, meeting Polly and the impact she and her family had on him, and his slow journey through depravity to salvation. After a while, as he was about to make a choice that would cycle him back through more ugly terrain, I’d think: Nooo, not again. When will you learn? And then I’d remember how I’d done the same cycling through learning experiences. I love the transparency, humor, and hope you include when sharing. Thank you. (‘Twould be a joy if you could also share some of your hubby’s cookin’! Sounds yummy.) Blessings on you ~ Mary Kay
Thank you, Mary Kay! I look forward to the opportunity to swap recipes and testimonies. I have a feeling we’ll have a lot to share. 🙂
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this: From gracious to capricious in one fell swoop on my unbalanced scale.
Well, God is ever present, gracious, and good. Always. He keeps on giving, loving, and working on my behalf regardless of my moods, feelings, and thoughts—and believe me, I’ve felt all of them. His steadfastness and faithfulness sustain my own faintly beating heart. And since He’s strong enough to withstand my onslaught of questions, fears, and doubts, God can surely handle whatever you’re facing, no matter who’s in office, what storm is brewing, if gas prices skyrocket, or how your hormones fluctuate.
Thank you!
I appreciate the love–and I needed this reminder this morning!