Going through the Fire

OK, who else is having the craziest month ever? As we strive to get closer to God and put things in order, it seems that is when we are hit with all types of strange events and difficulties. For example, let me tell you my Saturday, Lazy Day story:

On Saturday, I did not wake up until 9am. Wonderful, huh? I got up, made pancakes, and shared with my family. I then enjoyed a morning of downloading and organizing pictures after my husband told our family that today was declared “Lazy Day.”

The first sign that my day was not going to be that lazy was when my husband decided to organize his closet. I was somewhat inspired, so I began to go through the stacks of paper that had grown. Upon picking up a stack that I had laid on the floor next to my computer, I discovered dampness and even mold! I knew that stack had not been there long, and we started to look for the source of water.

We discovered water leaking on our brand new bookcase downstairs. As Michael investigated the leak, I began frantically trying to move the bookcase away from the water. It broke apart and books were all over the floor; I was now in tears and sporting a black and blue arm. After a few hours, we finally discovered that our refrigerator had a leak in the water tubing, and we found lots of water and lots that needed immediate cleaning. I toughed it out and got to bed totally worn out and discouraged.

Waking up on Sunday morning, I was overwhelmed by the weight of what seems to be just another thing to sidetrack me from my goals and my purposes.

Do you feel this way? Have you ever felt this emotion? I was reminded that I needed to encourage myself in the Lord. How thankful I am that I started picking up papers on that Lazy Day! Think of what it would have looked like on Sunday! Was it He that inspired my husband to clean? Yep, that is for sure!

If you need encouragement as you walk through a difficult time, consider God’s promise to the righteous in Isaiah 43: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”