Laced With Grace

Jim and I are both going through health issues.  I have been living with chronic pain/illness for over 25 years, with the past 10 years mostly home-bound and needing assistance in my daily life.  Now Jim is going through some serious health issues as well.  So what do you do when your main care-giver needs assistance as well?

The other day when a family member called to check to see how Jim and I are feeling, she said, “This is so depressing. You two much be devastated!”  I was a little taken back with that reaction at first, then I replied, “no way, maybe a little perplexed, but not depressed.  God is in control.  He will never allow us to go through more than we can handle.”  Although to be honest, there are moments that I think to myself, “I wish God did not trust me enough to ‘handle’ this much!”

In all seriousness, I believe in the Sovereignty of God.  That all things are under God’s rule and control, and nothing happens without His permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the guidance of His own will (Eph. 1:11). God’s purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted (Isa. 46:11).  There is nothing that takes Him by surprise. The sovereignty of God is not only that God has the power and right to rule all things, but that He does so, continually and without exception.

A.W. Pink said it beautifully in The Sovereignty of God, Chapter 1.

“What do we mean by [the sovereignty of God]? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.”

So what do you do when the care-giver needs a care-giver?  You trust in the Sovereignty of God.  I rest assured, “… that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

It’s easy for me to sit on the sidelines and watch others race by. I’m not competitive, so I can easily let you go ahead of me. I don’t jump the gun like some personalities. Instead I stay back and I wait and wait. And yet sometimes I wonder what on earth am I waiting for.

* Am I waiting for the stars to line up just right?

* Am I waiting until I have enough resources, time, talent or money?

* Am I waiting for more energy?

* What am I really waiting for?

Maybe I’m waiting until my house is all organized and my garage is spotless and I have oodles of free time. Or maybe I’m waiting until I know exactly what I’m doing before I start. Ha. That will never happen. Don’t we learn as we get up and go? Through trial and error?

The truth is I’m waiting until I decide I am ready to start. It’s procrastination and it affects my relationship with God. He says, “Go,” and I say, “No. Not yet.” Stalling is my way out. I over analyze. I say “I’m still praying” because it’s easier than admitting I’m afraid to take my place. I’m afraid of how hard and long the race will be. I’m afraid I might fall flat on my face.

How about you? Are you waiting when you should be running your race? Are you putting something off that you know God wants you to do?

Somehow I can hear God, like Dr. Phil, saying, “How’s that working for you?”

My answer: It’s not.

I’m sick and tired of procrastinating. God has a specific race for me to run, a lane with my name on it. I don’t see the end, or even the middle, but I do see the beginning. I know where to start. I know what is required of me: Put one foot in front of the other. Step out. 

And regardless of my fears, I have exactly what I need to complete my course:

I have Christ in me.

Is He not enough for me to even start?

Ouch.

So I pray, Lord Jesus, help me trust You with my race. In my own strength I don’t have the strength to finish, but through You I can do all things. Help me stop stalling, stop comparing, stop fearing, and just start. I hear your voice saying, “On your mark, get set, go.” Okay, no more waiting, slow and steady here I go. Today I trust You enough to start. Amen

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

Moving once again,

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany

In His Time

  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.  A time to embrace and a time to turn away.   A time to search and a time to quit searching.  A time to keep and a time to throw away.   A time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to be quiet and a time to speak.  A time to love and a time to hate.  A time for war and a time for peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)

Timing is so important.  All the experiences listed in the above scripture are appropriate at certain times.

Jim and I have some important decisions to make; most of which have to do with our finances. One of our major decisions right now is in regards to our 17 year old car. Since purchasing the car in 2009 we have spent more money on repairs than it is currently worth.  We hate the thought of going into debt to purchase another vehicle – new or used.    In today’s economy one does not want to make a wrong or hasty decision.  When we do – it can lead to despair and even cause us to doubt or resent God’s timing.

The key to making sure we do not make hasty decisions is a four letter word most of us do not like to hear – WAIT.  This is so difficult when we believe we NEED whatever it may be – and sometimes we really may have a need, but God may want us to wait for His timing.  He only wants the best for us.  When we make a decision we need to have peace with God through prayer to discern, accept and appreciate God’s perfect timing.

So until Jim and I have peace, we choose to wait on God’s timing; trusting in His providence that our prayers will be answered in His time.