I am so ready. I am not sure what I am ready for, but mostly for a change. I want to see “people” again, to laugh with them and give hugs. I have appreciated the rest and time to reflect on many things, but I am missing getting out just to be part of the world around me again. I believe it will be different in some ways, but I am waiting impatiently to “see and do” familiar things in life.
As so many of you have already experienced, our family is missing getting together this coming weekend for our niece’s wedding near Omaha, Nebraska. I am glad they decided to go ahead with the wedding itself, in her parents’ backyard. I know it will be beautiful, no matter how small it will have to be. We are praying for sunshine and many blessings for them as they recite their vows and commit their love to each other. I told Carolyn she is following in good footsteps as her grandpa and grandma got married in their parents’ backyard in the summer of 1945, and their marriage continued for over seventy years!
In these present weeks, I want to congratulate all of the high school and college graduates. How different you are finishing your time of education than how you thought it would be! Even though you must feel disappointments in all of this, or even cheated out of several things, may I encourage you to be thankful for this exciting time in your life. We, as a community, are proud of you. I also would urge each of us as neighbors and friends to reach out and remember these graduates at this time. In this time of uncertainty, they need our support, backing, and prayers.
In this time of world chaos and lockdowns, how different God looks at time than we do. We want instant, but His goals are long term. Even though we want promises of things “opening up” quickly, God, in His wisdom, encourages us to focus on the “long-term” aspect of all of this. Most importantly in how it will affect our lives and those we love.
Hopefully we will let the short-term promises kept, encourage us in the long haul. Our lives can only be secure as we focus on the eternal perspective and live by the faith we are asked to trust in. God certainly is aware of our impatience. Even though we sometimes don’t think so, He will keep His promises for the future. And those promises include eternal life, which is so much bigger than anything we are longing for here!
I need balance in keeping thought in the here and now, comparing it with our forever future. I need wisdom between praying for the fulfillment of short-term promises, and keeping my heart, thoughts, and desires rooted in God’s long-term promises. Here, in these uncertain days, I see the short-term only. But when the long-term promises are a reality instead of a hope, I’m confident that the short-term ones, which give me joy now, will fade into insignificance.
As I pondered what to share with you this week, an email from my brother, Jeff, in Arizona popped into my view. It is a farmer’s story of “luck”. Now, that is a word I don’t use often, as I believe much more in blessings than luck. However, the story reminded me of God’s timing in every day of our lives. And right now, in the spring of 2020, timing of so many things seems “essential”. Maybe this will provide some food for thought as your days and weeks play out.
A farmer and his son had a beloved horse who helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away and their neighbors exclaimed, “ Your horse ran away, what terrible luck!”
The farmer replied, “ Maybe so, maybe not.”
A few days later, the horse returned home, leading a few wild horses back to the farm as well. The neighbors shouted out, “ Your horse has returned, and brought several horses home with him. What great luck!”
The farmer replied, “ Maybe so, maybe not.”
Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the horses and she threw him to the ground, breaking his leg. The neighbors cried, “Your son broke his leg, what terrible luck!”
The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, recruiting all boys for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son, because he had a broken leg. The neighbors shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!”
To which the farmer replied, “ Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
Sometimes in life we are so quick to determine what is good and bad. We judge things before they have a chance to be great. We get over-excited before things are confirmed.
When we just need to take a breath and be in the present moment.
Is the timing of this good luck? Maybe so, maybe not…..Of course it is!
Jeremiah 29:11-12 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Romans 8:28 “ I know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
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