Praise...Perspective...Peace

In the notes app of my phone, I keep a running list of possible blog topics.  I do this just in case my mind runs blank and I have difficulty developing a topic each week for my blog post.  The list currently contains 60+ topics, but I have never had to use it.  By Friday night, I am usually overflowing with words to share.  Please don’t think I have life all figured out—I don’t.  Generally, by Friday I’ve narrowed life down to one situation that needs attention, and God reveals His perspective to me as I type.  It is my hope that this blog sheds light on the situations of your life as you read.

I read the Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian in the two weeks before our wedding ceremony.  As busy and as crazy as I was, I thought it was important for me to get through the book.  I’ve now read it cover to cover several times…  Of all of the memorable ideas and prayers in the book, the part that really makes me nod my head is the dedication:  “This book is dedicated with love to my husband Michael, who has consistently given me more than I ever wanted to pray about.  You and I both know that prayer works.”  Yes, prayer does work.  It is when we develop the belief that we, ourselves can make it without God that we find ourselves in trouble.   Matthew 5:3 NLT states, “God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.”  Sometimes, I believe, God puts us in situations or allows things to happen that will quickly help us to realize our need for Him. 

On December 19, my 13 year-old, always the first person downstairs, yelled, “Mom, who spilled all over the kitchen floor?”  We were getting dressed for school and work, but first we had a little situation.  We were standing in water.  A hot water pipe burst beneath our kitchen floor which caused a portion of our downstairs to flood.  Subsequently, we’ve had to excavate to fix the leak. The kitchen sink and cabinets have been removed, hardwood floors and carpets pulled up, and we had to talk over the sound of 8 industrial fans attempting to dry out the drywall from for 7 days.  I’ve been washing dishes in the bathroom.  Usually when I sit down to write my annual goals, there is a financial savings goal.  Given what we had just paid the plumber, I did not write a financial goal for this year.  Any deposits into our savings will be a miracle from God—and He does work miracles, so I am not giving up hope, just not putting a dollar amount on that hope.   There have been lots of prayers recently.  I am trying to keep a smile and a positive attitude.  When I’ve told people what is going on, and I’ve tried not to tell too many people, there are three phrases that continue to be repeated:  “When it rains it pours;” and “That’s the last thing you need right now;” and “If it ain’t one thing it’s another.”  

Did I mention that this has been a very prayerful time?  As prayerful as it is, it is also reflective.  Didn’t we see devastating flood waters in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico last year?  I believe I recall seeing people sitting on the roof of their homes because as the water rose inside their home, the roof was their only escape.  I believe this water claimed the lives of some of its victims.  Perspective.  Things happen.  Things happen everyday, all day, to someone, somewhere, and I am not exempt.  I recently trained with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief to help victims of flood, fire, earthquake, etc.  God has now given me a glimpse, on a small scale, of what it’s like to experience a flood.  It is inconvenient.  It is destructive.  It causes mold.  It stinks.  It can be repaired, but it first must dry and that takes time. 

​Sometimes when it rains, it does pour.  (This is not the only situation we’re currently dealing with as we start 2018.)  Rather than live in fear of the downpour or worrying about what may be next, we must choose to pray and ask Him to guide us through the current rainfall to the beautiful light.   Jesus said, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NIV)  He also said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:34 NIV)  The water damage was not something we needed right now, but dare I call it the last thing?  There are certainly worse things that could happen!   I choose to be thankful for our current situation.  Why?  The question of humanity, we always want to know why!  Why doesn’t always have an answer—that we can understand.   “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)   Maybe the water was a part of the greater plan.  There has been at least one instance in history where flood waters were a part of His plan, right.  “If it ain’t one thing it’s another.”  True, but let us just take what we are given and be grateful. I find that when I praise Him, He gives me perspective and peace.  


Thank you for reading!
Have a wonderful week!
Kim

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