Happiness in Uncertainty

“I know one thing for sure,” my husband declared as he walked through our bedroom door with a tall glass of sweet tea in his hand. The statement came out of nowhere but was made as if the two of us had finished a long debate on some deep subject about which neither of us were able to come to any conclusion and the only way to end such a debate was to state a matter of certainty. It’s highly possible, though, that my husband had debated the matter all in his head prior to entering our room and felt the need to sum it up for me with his enlightened statement of truth.

No matter, I was curious and eagerly inquired of his certainty. “What’s that?” I asked.

He paused for a brief moment at the foot of our bed as if searching for the perfect words to express his great truth. Finally he replied, “Give me a minute. I’m trying to remember what I was going to tell you.” Then he lifted his glass and took a long drink of sweet tea as I laughed at his forgetfulness.

And I did laugh – not because I was mocking him (well, maybe just a little – okay! A lot!) but because that brief conversation with my husband pretty much sums up my life. When I think I have it all figured out, life always takes a surprising turn and everything I thought I knew for certain gets thrown out the window. I find myself stumped and perplexed around every bend and when called upon to take action or make a decision or simply respond, I hear myself saying, “Uhm. Give me a minute.”

Ah, but maybe that’s the certainty: Life is uncertain. And maybe that’s what makes life worth living. If I had all the answers, if I knew every situation I would face, what kind of life would that be? Sure, if I knew what problems await me tomorrow, I could take steps to avoid them. But what if by avoiding a problem, I miss a valuable lesson that could help me in the future or make me a better me? And wouldn’t knowing all the good that was coming my way take some of the joy out of the blessing?

I don’t know.

I do know that in my moments of uncertainty, I can always look to the One who knows it all. He holds my every moment in His hands and He is working them all for my good. That doesn’t mean I won’t face any problems or that I won’t have those times when all I want to do is run and hide because I don’t have any answers and can’t seem to figure anything out. But it does mean that I don’t have to face any of my moments of uncertainty alone.

Yes, yes, life is uncertain. But there is one thing I know for sure…

You’ll have to give me a minute, though. I’m trying to remember what it is. 😉

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Even THIS Day

This IS the day the Lord has made.

Yes, even THIS day.

And all the days He made before it have prepared you for today. All the moments of gladness, moments of struggle, moments of doubt, moments of triumph and moments of sorrow that have filled your previous days have built the foundation of strength that will see you through this day.

This IS the day the Lord has made and HE will not allow you to live this day alone.  HE plans to spend it with you. HE intends to experience every moment by your side.  You can walk through this day with confidence for there is nothing in this day that will take its Maker by surprise.

Yes, this IS the day the Lord has made.

No matter what it holds, joy or sadness, healing or pain, celebration or mourning, you can trust the Lord to carry you through.

And in this assurance, you CAN rejoice and be glad!

Happiness in Uncertainty

“I know one thing for sure,” my husband declared as he walked through our bedroom door with a tall glass of sweet tea in his hand. The statement came out of nowhere but was made as if the two of us had finished a long debate on some deep subject about which neither of us were able to come to any conclusion and the only way to end such a debate was to state a matter of certainty. It’s highly possible, though, that my husband had debated the matter all in his head prior to entering our room and felt the need to sum it up for me with his enlightened statement of truth.

No matter, I was curious and eagerly inquired of his certainty. “What’s that?” I asked.

He paused for a brief moment at the foot of our bed as if searching for the perfect words to express his great truth. Finally he replied, “Give me a minute. I’m trying to remember what I was going to tell you.” Then he lifted his glass and took a long drink of sweet tea as I laughed at his forgetfulness.

And I did laugh – not because I was mocking him (well, maybe just a little – okay! A lot!) but because that brief conversation with my husband pretty much sums up my life. When I think I have it all figured out, life always takes a surprising turn and everything I thought I knew for certain gets thrown out the window. I find myself stumped and perplexed around every bend and when called upon to take action or make a decision or simply respond, I hear myself saying, “Uhm. Give me a minute.”

Ah, but maybe that’s the certainty: Life is uncertain. And maybe that’s what makes life worth living. If I had all the answers, if I knew every situation I would face, what kind of life would that be? Sure, if I knew what problems await me tomorrow, I could take steps to avoid them. But what if by avoiding a problem, I miss a valuable lesson that could help me in the future or make me a better me? And wouldn’t knowing all the good that was coming my way take some of the joy out of the blessing?

I don’t know.

I do know that in my moments of uncertainty, I can always look to the One who knows it all. He holds my every moment in His hands and He is working them all for my good. That doesn’t mean I won’t face any problems or that I won’t have those times when all I want to do is run and hide because I don’t have any answers and can’t seem to figure anything out. But it does mean that I don’t have to face any of my moments of uncertainty alone.

Yes, life is uncertain. But there is one thing I know for sure…

You’ll have to give me a minute, though. I’m trying to remember. 😉

A Year of Smiles – Day 302

Reason to SMILE #302: ROLLER COASTERS

Sweaty palms, racing heart, quick breathing, jittery nerves – nothing can abate the anticipation of reaching the pinnacle of the roller coaster except the thrill of the plunge when you’re flying full speed down the coaster track, gasping for breath, choking on your own heartbeat and shrieking promises to the Almighty that you swear you’ll keep if He’ll only let you live to the end of the ride.

Aren’t roller coasters fun? 😉

Yeah. I used to love riding roller coasters! I used to – past tense. It’s not happenin’ today or any day in the future. Give me a nice little train ride around the mall at Christmastime and I’m good. Seriously.

I feel the same about life, too. If I had my choice, my life would be filled with smooth, level roads to travel. Directional signs would be well lit, easy to read and conveniently placed. There’d be none of those high, rickety bridges, ridiculous detours, unchecked potholes, unfinished roadwork or mislabeled street maps. Period.

My life, however, completely ignores my wishes!

Last week was busy for me (one reason why I’m so far behind on my daily SMILES – ugh!). I was planning and preparing for the church fall festival. I was also preparing myself to say “good-bye” to a ministry position I’ve held for the past four years (another reason I’m behind on my SMILES – 😦 ). The fall festival was my last event and last day at the church. Talk about your roller coaster rides! One minute I’m slowly climbing up a steep incline as I’m mourning the loss of time with “my” kids. The next minute I’m free falling down a 50-foot drop as I’m bustling to create carnival games, recruit volunteers and beg for candy donations. And the next, I’m doing loop-de-loops as I’m running through the fall festival, assuring everything is running smoothly, giving hugs to children, friends, even strangers, trying not to freeze my hiney off in the 40 degree weather and praying that somebody figures out how to use the cotton candy machine.

Whew! What a ride!

This particular ride has been a rough one. I’m following God’s direction to go but I’m not sure where He’s leading. Though I know He knows best, not knowing what’s in store makes the ride pretty scary. And the good-byes are definitely much harder. BUT there is a SMILE in even this crazy roller coaster ride.

You see, no matter where life takes me, whether I’m on the mountaintop where all is well or I’m in the valley where things look bleak and uncertain or I’m spinning round and round in the hallways of life waiting for doors to open, GOD IS THERE. He’s with me on the mountain, in the valley and in the hallway. He led me to each of those places and He’ll continue to lead me on. I may be hanging on for dear life during the ride but God is there hanging on to me. That, my friends, is more then enough reason to SMILE.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:7 – 10 (NIV)

A Year of Smiles – Day 262

Reason to SMILE #262: TODAY

This IS the day the Lord has made – yes, even THIS day. And all the days He made before it have prepared you for today. All the moments of gladness, moments of struggle, moments of doubt, moments of triumph and moments of sorrow that have filled your previous days have built the foundation of strength that will see you through this day.

This IS the day the Lord has made and HE will not allow you to live this day alone.  HE plans to spend it with you. HE intends to experience every moment by your side.  You can walk through this day with confidence for there is nothing in this day that will take it’s Maker by surprise.

Yes, this IS the day the Lord has made.  No matter what it holds, joy or sadness, healing or pain, celebration or mourning, THIS day is God’s gift to you.  And in this great gift, you can REJOICE and be glad!

A Year of Smiles – Day 114

Reason to SMILE #114: CHICKENS

Right now, I know you must be thinking, “She’s either running out of reasons to smile or she’s crazy.”  Nope!  The SMILES are countless and craziness is subjective.

Today has just been one of those maddening Mondays.  It began with the lingering effects of yesterday’s burdens.  The devil has been doing his best to discourage me by spotlighting my weaknesses and telling me I’m not good enough to serve in the place God has called me.  It’s wearisome.

As the day continued, I found myself bearing the disheartening burden of one of my boys.  Being a mom is the toughest job I have.  And its another area where the devil can sneak in and whisper lies about my capabilities.  The devil really is annoying!

Then, as my day was ending, my shoulders were further loaded by a burden of my husband.  I am his helpmate.  This is what we do for each other but as I hung up from speaking with him, I just felt overwhelmed.  My little, bity shoulders can only carry so much, you know!  At least that’s how I felt at the time.

But God is always there to lighten the load that I bear.  As I pulled into my subdivision on the way home, I rounded a corner and there were my burden lifters – chickens!  As my eyes discovered each one, my SMILE grew and my shoulders relaxed as the day’s burdens seemed to disappear.

One chicken – there went the worries for my husband.

Two chickens – there went the concerns for my son.

Three chickens – there went the lies Satan has been whispering in my ear.

I guess this does sound a little crazy but God can use anything to turn our worries and burdens into Joy and dancing.  We just have to be willing to let the care of this life go.  When we do, we can SMILE at silly little things like chickens bobbing their little chicken heads and roaming free all over the neighborhood.

Chickens – who knew they could cause such SMILES?

 

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

Matthew 11: 28 – 30 (NIV) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 

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A Year of Smiles – Day 110

Reason to SMILE #110: UNDERSTANDING

“That’ll be $169,” the receptionist at the doctor’s office said as she looked up from her computer.

“Wait,” I balked. “That’s more than the price given to me over the phone when I made my appointment.  What’s the difference?”

“Your age,” the receptionist blurted without hesitation or even a hint of sympathy.

This getting old thing is no fun at all!  And I’m not that old, for Pete’s sake! (OK.  Maybe I shouldn’t say “for Pete’s sake.”  Kinda makes me sound old, doesn’t it?)

Annual checkups are no fun to begin with.  Enduring all that poking and prodding and having to answer a barrage of embarrassing questions is no walk in the park, that’s for sure.  Then after all of that, to be penalized for being another year older…  That’s just plain rude.

But the cherry on top was the order to cut back on the fats in my diet.  You mean, I can’t even eat like a young person anymore?  C’mon!  What else is there to live for? 😉  Well, not really knowing what to eat or not eat, I did a quick google search of foods that I need to avoid in order to lower my cholesterol.  According to almost every article on the subject, I must watch saturated and trans fats, avoid fatty meats and cut out simple sugars like those found in candy, soda, cakes and cookies.

I am going to die…

…very soon!  Either that or I’m going to kill those closest to me as I go through withdrawals.  You have now been forewarned, by the way.

But here is where my SMILE comes in.  I know I’m not the only one who is getting older every year.  It sounds silly to say because aging is unavoidable.  It’s easy, though, to be so wrapped up in our own problems that we begin to believe we’re alone in our plights – even in aging and all the struggles that come with it.  So, I know that no matter the new and interesting experiences I face each year I grow older, there will always be someone who has either been through it already or is going through it at the same time I am.

I am not alone.  These crazy things happening to me are not unique (although they seem pretty darn unique to me!).   There will always be someone who completely understands what I am going through and who is willing to put their arm around me and tell me I’m not going to die if I cut sugars out of my diet.  Or…

There may just be those who look at me, laugh and say, “You’re a big girl now.  Suck it up!”  But if you think about it, there’s plenty of understanding in those words, too!

You’re not the only one facing your struggles.  I bet if you’d look, you’d be sure to find someone with enough understanding to help you SMILE today.

Go on.  Take a look.  An understanding SMILE is waiting.

 

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