Lessons From the Valley

The last week and a half has really been awful. It started with Kari getting sick and developing stroke like symptoms and having her in the hospital for 9 days. Then Kimmi got sick and started vomiting and then Becca started the next day the night before we were supposed to be moving. All night. So I moved after 2 hours of sleep. I hit a point where I thought of the seen in the movie The Little Rascals, where Alfalfa is having a bad day and he looks up at the sky and says, “…and the sky opened up and God looked down and said, ‘I hate you Alfalfa’.” Here’s the clip (about 5 minutes in, but the whole clip is great) That’s how I felt. I was wondering what I did I do to make God so mad. I even hit a point where I was in full self-pity mode and thinking I was Job.

But I ‘m not Job. I’m just I guy that had a bad couple of weeks. God tells us in Romans 8:28, “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.” This doesn’t mean He makes the situations good. But he works for the good; doing what is good for us. In other words, in all things no matter what the situation, good or bad, he works within us to bring good within us. It’s a promise that He will continue to do the work He started in us and the situation doesn’t matter.

For instance, after I was done with my pity party, I learned some things this past week. I learned some things that truly humbled me. I learned that I am blessed were blessings count most. I learned that I have a wonderful wife and I need to acknowledge it more. I often give Kari a hard time about not getting as much done as I think she should. You know what they say, “you don’t know what you have until you have lost it”. Well this week I was running like a chicken with it’s head cut off and I realized how much she does. I found a new appreciation for her and all the hard work she does. I apologized to her and told her how great she was. Although I’m not sure if she remembers it with all the drugs they had her on. I also learned that I have a loving family of believers around me. I was humbled by the multitude of prayer and support this week. We had people praying, watching the girls, visiting Kari in the hospital and moving us to Burnsville. I even had family drive 800 miles to help with the kids. I am truly blessed.

So what’s the point? The point is this; don’t let the situation distract you from the blessing of God in your life. He is active and working, for our good, each and every day. He uses life and the situations of life, good and bad, to mold us and shapes into the likeness of Jesus.

I’ll leave with this promise: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

Posted in: Devotional, Life Lessons