It Was Good

Have you ever wrestled with certain passages of scripture? For years Psalm 119:71 created an internal tug of war. David's words, “It was good that I had been afflicted…” were almost incomprehensible, especially considering my natural inclination to avoid pain. How can something hurtful ever be good?

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At some point, we experience struggles. Either we do what God never intended or trouble inevitably intersects our path. David was no exception. Even though he was a “man after God’s own heart” he had a particularly memorable misstep. - 2 Samuel 11-12

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Not too long ago I was faced with a trial that was far from a momentary set back. It came out of nowhere. Things shook, shattered and lingered… Lord did they linger!

Difficult seasons have a way of unearthing our weaknesses. They are a purifier of sorts, exposing aspects of our lives we’re either unaware of or choose to hide. Yet if we’re open, they can introduce us to the character of God.

The night season highlighted portions of God’s word I’d never seen. Scriptures I previously read with no real connection became my life line. God even revealed areas I hadn’t relinquished to His Lordship. It was tough.

I desperately wanted things to change. But instead, I experienced the presence of God. He sat with me in sorrow and watered my parced soul, As I waited, it became apparent that rushing to the other side of pain wasn’t the prize. The real treasure was knowing and trusting God.

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After stumbling over the first portion of Psalm 119:71, I eventually noticed the words “so that”. This little phrase urged me to reflect on the previous statement. Then I realized the good hard truth. Suffering paves the way for a deeper walk with the Lord. God wasn't leaving me without hope. He was forming His character in me and drawing me closer.

While I’d never choose to revisit that season. I cherish the lessons learned. Had I not been broken, I wouldn’t know God as healer. Had I not been surrounded and out numbered, I wouldn’t know Him as defender and deliverer. His greatness was no longer something I read about in someone else’s story.  He crafted my own testimony as I traveled the road of difficulty.

Admittedly, it has taken a long time to come to the same resolve as David. But today I can say without hesitation. “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:71- 72 NIV

I hope you're able to say the same.

Your Sister Friend,

Best Friends

Our day started with a list of appointments, one of which included a visit to the dentist.

Everything was going as planned until my husband called to say he was scheduled for emergency oral surgery.

In a not so peaceful disposition, I rearranged my day and headed to the doctor’s office. I prayed while driving but it wasn’t nearly enough to settle the uneasiness.

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After arriving I decided to send a quick email and spend the remaining time in prayer. Just as I settled in a little boy stood in front of me. He didn’t say hello or tell me his name. His blue eyes connected with mine and he asked, “Will you be my best friend?”

I paused a moment and then closed my laptop. “Sure! And since we’re going to be best friends, let’s get to know each other.” We talked about all sorts of things. I discovered he preferred art over sports. And he liked most fruits except peaches because, they look like a “butt”. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to say that.

When I asked if he liked to write stories he turned to his Mom who said “he can’t because his hands shake.”

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After a while they called Jamison back for his exam. When he returned, he asked if I would move my things so he could sit beside me. Our conversation continued for almost an hour.

By the time Frank was finished, the nurse called my friend to the back. We took a picture, hugged and said our goodbyes but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The next morning in prayer the Lord unpacked the experience and the tears began to roll.

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Earlier that week 2 Samuel 7:1-17 was the focus of my devotion. It recounts the story of David’s desire to build a house for the Lord. He consults the prophet Nathan who initially gives the go ahead to do everything that's in his heart .

However during the night the Lord reveals a different set of instructions and Nathan returns to deliver the word of the Lord. As I reflected on the passage, I realized there was a thread of humility intricately woven throughout the verses.

Desiring to honor God, seeking counsel, admitting wrong and yielding to a “No”when your preference is “Yes” are all beautiful examples of humility.

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But God wasn't finished. He orchestrated an encounter with an 8 year old boy to personify the lesson. You see Jamison didn't just ask if I would be his friend. He asked if I would be his best friend. He willingly shared his world and favorite things in order to be known. To some extent we all long for the same.

Right away I noticed Jamison’s hands shook beyond his control. But he didn't try to hide them. He was beautifully transparent. Unfortunately I've been guilty of working hard to conceal or fix things that shake instead of laying them bare at the Father’s feet.

And if the other things weren’t enough, Jamison echoed what the Lord had been whispering for months. “Move that over and come closer.” God was speaking to me about laying down what I hoped to hold forever. He was calling me to surrender what I loved to love Him more. I was traveling the road to nearness and it required deeper humility.

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To say things didn’t turn out that day the way we planned is an understatement. Our schedule took twists and turns that led to a holy encounter. And, I’m glad it did because in those moments Jamison needed a best friend and I needed him.

Your Sister Friend,

How Will You Wait?

It had been a while since we’d seen each other. The Mom and daughter were members of our previous church. When they walked thru the doors it was a welcomed surprise. Unfortunately a time mix up made for a late arrival.

They'd traveled a distance so they asked if my husband would give a summary of the sermon he preached earlier. He agreed but needed to take care of some pressing issues first. A few moments later a man came in and asked for a ride to the bus station. He received the same response.

As the ladies and I chatted, the man paced asking repeatedly if he was going to get a ride. His impatience became irritating until Holy Spirit asked, "How will you wait …. like him or them? Whew! It wasn’t just a question, it was a mirror.

…. "How will you wait …. like him or them? Whew! It wasn’t just a question, it was a mirror.

I was believing God for things that required a strength far beyond what I possessed. There were promises but no manifestation. At times I stood strong. But there were moments when my faith bowed to my reality. I wasn’t waiting well.

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As we journey through the Bible we find men and women who waited for their faith to become sight. David was among those heroes. Samuel anointed him when he was approximately fifteen years old to become the next king. But what happens afterwards seems rather odd. David returned to tending his sheep, seemingly destined for obscurity.

Some time later David got a glimpse of what God had in store but it didn’t last long.

- 1 Samuel 16:14-23

King Saul’s jealous rage sent David running for his life. He no longer enjoyed the freedom of the fields, he was reduced to hiding in caves. His circumstances made the promise seem impossible yet David refused to take his destiny into his own hands. - 1 Samuel 24:10-13

His circumstances made the promise seem impossible.

How could David wait in the midst of such adversity? The answer is simple. He knew and trusted God. You see, in the pastures there was a role reversal. Yes, David was a shepherd to his flock. But God revealed Himself as David’s Shepherd.

God was the one who provided and defended. It was His strength that killed the lion and the bear. And it was God that sheltered David during adverse weather conditions.

David's time in the fields was more than an occupation, it was his training ground.

His solitary moments as a shepherd and fugitive created sacred spaces of worship. The heart of a king was developed in David long before he became royalty.

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We never know what part of our lives are being shaped while we wait. Just because we don’t see God moving doesn’t mean he’s idle or unaware. He is orchestrating even the undesirable, unexpected and painful portions of lives for our good.

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The ladies waited because they had history with my husband. They knew he would keep his word. How much more can we trust our God?

That Sunday the Lord showed me how I was waiting and it wasn't pretty. My response to Holy Spirit’s question was a mixture of repentance, prayer and surrender.

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Have you been in a long season of unknowns and not yets? If so, I pray your hope is renewed and encouragement overshadows every disappointment. I pray as you rehearse God's truths, they come alive in your soul.

And since every season involves some level of waiting, I pray you'll rest in God's faithfulness so you can wait well.

Your Sister Friend,