How do you handle being inconvenienced? Are you easily frustrated when things don’t go the way you had planned?
+++
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 – NLT
As we step into summertime, I am always reminded of the hot summer days I spent playing in the pool with my son Jonathan. From the moment we stuck his tiny feet in the baby pool, Jonathan was enthralled with the water. He even taught himself to swim at the ripe old age of three. No small wonder that he became a competitive swimmer and later, a river raft guide.
One day, I was gathering up our swimming paraphernalia for a trip to the pool while three year old Jonathan played with his tiny race cars on the kitchen rug. I had turned on the Weather Channel to get a read on the radar so as to ensure our trip to the pool would not be pointless. Because of my degenerative eye disease, I could no longer drive us to the pool, and we depended on friends or neighbors for transport. Before I called my neighbor for a ride, I wanted to make sure that the rain would hold off for a few hours.
I recall walking into the kitchen to catch the current radar image, only to find young Jonathan, hands on his hips, staring at the television screen. Turning toward me, his little cherub face held a look of total despair as he exclaimed, “Oh no, Mama! Green stuff!”
His expression was so serious, but I burst out laughing. He didn’t quite understand the concept of precipitation on the radar, but he had made the connection that seeing “green stuff” meant Mama was not going to take him to the pool. His plans for the day were disrupted, and he was sorely disappointed. I was disappointed too, but so amused by his emphatic announcement that I just had to laugh out loud.
I am reminded of this cute little story today as I sit in my camper inundated with buckets of “green stuff.” It’s pouring outside, and this was not my plan for the day. I had planned on a sunny day that included a nice walk and a chance to sit and rock in my new portable rocking chair. Apparently, the clouds didn’t get the memo.
Life is like that, right? We make our plans, big and small, always expecting everything to go just the way we planned. But alas, they don’t.
Of course, it’s perfectly reasonable to make a plan. Things must get done after all. But the question is, how do we handle it when our plans go awry? Are we bound and determined to control every aspect of our lives? How do we handle the disappointments? Are we overly annoyed with being inconvenienced?
I don’t know about you, but there are times when I need an attitude adjustment. There are times when I need to hear my father’s well spoken words, “You don’t have to be constantly entertained!”
But that’s just it. Now more than ever, we seem to think that it is our right to be entertained. We think we have a right to be in control. We are affronted when circumstances throw a curveball into our well laid plans.
The arrogance of such an approach to daily living is striking. I wonder what God thinks about such attitudes. I doubt He is too pleased with our self absorbed culture.
While our forays into science have helped us overcome environmental challenges or engineer medical marvels, the reality is that we are not in control of this universe. Only God can claim that power.
This life will continue to thwart our plans with adversity and affliction. Hard things will happen. We will endure suffering and sickness, hardships and hassles.
The question is, how will we weather these storms? Will we whine and complain or take the onslaughts and inconveniences in stride? Will we choose to trust our Gracious God with our concerns and thank Him for all our countless blessings? Will we greet the new day with a grateful heart even if the deluge changes our plans?
As for me, today, I choose to be thankful. The rain is watering my plants and giving me some quiet time to write to you. Whatever the weather, I am loved by a Good and Gracious Lord, and it remains a beautiful day to behold.
+++
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136:26 – NLT
PRAYER
O Lord God Almighty, thank You for this new day. Rain or shine, it’s still a beautiful day. Storm clouds may surface and suffering may strike, but You are always with us. You share our delight on sunny days and offer us refuge amidst the deluge. No matter where we go or what we face, You go with us. Give us hearts filled with thankfulness. Grant us faith to trust in You about everything. Let us humble ourselves to your perfect plan and regard Your way with us as good and right. May we forget our inconveniences and remember Your steadfast love for us.
Faith Beyond Sight 