Living On The Edge

If there were a magic solution to life’s problems and I could be delivered from all hardship, I would choose to hold onto the problems. As I look back over my life, there are countless blessings that have come to me as a direct result of the difficulties in my life. Would I really want to give up all of life’s blessings to bypass the hardships? I don’t think so. I would choose the hard road any day.

My life has had a huge share of disappointments, hurt, heartbreak and undesirable circumstances. But it has been while walking through the hard places that I have found TRUE happiness. I have heard the statement, “When people experience hardship, they either get bitter or they get better.” I chose the latter – I have gotten better through adversity. It was when I began embracing the hardships that my heart began getting better. I let go of self-pity and began seeking to know God better. As my heart turned toward God and “Prayer,” my life began changing. My circumstances didn’t change. In many ways the circumstances worsened.

No one would desire my circumstances. My husband is currently unemployed. I am working for three different companies trying to make ends meet. Our cars are very old, our 22 year old house is falling apart in many ways. We have very little, materially. Yet I can honestly say that I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. My heart is at rest and I love this life with a passion! I have found pure GOLD in my relationship with God, my Creator – the One who gives me breath. He lifts me up in ways that nothing else can.

Today, I was sitting at my dining room table with a list of bills, wondering how we are going to squeak by this month. I spent thirty minutes talking to a representative with my mortgage company about payment options during my husband’s unemployment. After this conversation, I began jotting down some ideas. I realized how close we are to staying afloat. I had the thought, “If we could get some help with our groceries, we’ll be able to pay the remaining balance of this month’s mortgage payment.” Simultaneously, as I was having this thought, the doorbell rang. I answered the door and it was my daughter’s friend, Emily and her mother, Kimberly. They were standing there with a beautiful bouquet of rainbow-colored flowers and a shopping bag full of food. With a huge smile on her face, Kimberly said, “The ‘Rainbow Buddies’ are here!” Instantly, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, and like many times before, I was in awe of God’s perfect timing. This sweet woman that I barely know had brought exactly what I needed at precisely the moment I needed it. What an amazing symbol of God’s love this was for me! My heart was rejoicing over this miracle from God.

It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that God allows hardship in our lives to punish us. I have discovered that it is really quite the opposite. God allows pain and sorrow in the lives of His children so that He will have the opportunity to shower us with His love and bring glory to His name. Through adversity, we get to experience God’s love in the most miraculous ways. This reminds me of what God did for Noah thousands of years ago. Up until the flood waters receded, Noah must have really questioned God. But when the water receded and the rainbow appeared, I can only imagine how Noah’s heart was rejoicing over the miracle he saw God perform. He saw that God is real, He is love, and He keeps His promises.

I haven’t experienced the huge miracle that Noah did. But I have seen the REALNESS of God. I feel His love encompassing my heart. I am rejoicing over the way He comforts me, the way He encourages me, and the way He showers me with His love by sending Rainbow Flowers and Small Miracles!

Genesis 9:13 - "I have set a rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

Genesis 9:16 - " Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds , I will remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth."

 
Lord, You amaze me!

Amy

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