Crystal Clear...with a few specks.

Lesson: In all things, God works for the GOOD...(not necessarily for our desires or expectations)

I woke up Thursday morning with a great deal of nervousness. I was nervous about what that day was about to present me with. I had created expectations for this particular day and I knew the nerves had resulted from knowing that my expectations would not be met (because the expectations had been created with selfish motives).

Anyways, I hopped on facebook real quick before darting off to class. Instantly, a message popped up from a friend who very rarely facebook chats me (face-to-face communication is our typical way of communicating). She simply asked if there was anything she could pray for. I was taken aback, but knew full well what I needed prayer for. I shared with her, and she ended the message by saying, "God is good and he makes all things good".

I knew this to be true, but didn't think much about the statement at the time. Thursday afternoon I received a letter in the mail from a dear friend. When reading over the letter for a third time today, I caught something I hadn't noticed the previous two times that I had read the letter; beneath the signed name was a reference to a passage of Scripture:


Romans 8:28-39

"28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or dange or sword? 36 As it is written:

'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered'.

37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerers through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future now any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."


...I proceeded through Thursday and Friday, and it was evident that God had answered the prayers I had prayed Wednesday night; make his will CLEAR in the approaching situation. He did just that. Despite the days not quite turning out as I had anticipated, I recognize that God does not promise that only desirable and pleasurable things will come. God does promise that the things that do come will be used in his plan for GOOD.

God, thank you for friends. Thank you for answered prayers. Thank you for your plan. Please help me to continue to recognize that your plan is the best plan.

-Mel

A Lesson in Loneliness

Lesson learned: Feelings of loneliness should not affect my level of joy. I should rejoice continually.

This past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were probably the worst three days of the school year for me. All my emotions caught up with me - the feelings of dejection, the feelings of being inconspicuous, the feelings of being undervalued. I sat in my room Friday night, tears streaming down my face, wondering why I was experiencing such feelings in the first place. There was no need for these feelings; I have friends who love me, friends who acknowledge my presence, and friends who appreciate me. I wasn't convinced of the truth that night, however.

My self-conscious and bitter attitude continued into Saturday. I spent nearly the entire day alone. A beneficial alone, but an unwanted alone. Sunday arrived, and as I sat through the sermon at church, everything came into perspective for me. Pastor John discussed the topic of "speed bumps of life"; God tests our faith through difficulties/trials, through demands, through dollars, and through delays. To live by faith, I must learn to rejoice continually, obey immediately, give generously, and wait patiently.

Clearly, I have not fully learned how to do any of these. If I had learned by now, I wouldn't have been experiencing the feelings I was experiencing that weekend. How often do I rejoice continually? I do not have to be happy in every circumstance, but I should not be overcome with feelings of dejection; I have the knowledge that God is with me. He wants me. He cherishes me. He gives me my value. Once I can learn to rejoice continually, the others should naturally fall into place - rejoice continually, obey immediately, give generously, wait patiently.

Dear lessons, please keep teaching me...

-Melissa