I have had a rough week. Nothing catastrophic or horrific but as my friend Terry calls it; I had a “death by 1,000 paper cuts” kind of week. One of those paper cuts had to do with one of my children struggling immensely. Watching your children hurting and suffering and not being able to do anything immediate to help them is quite torturous.
But as I was driving down the highway one day this week, just kind of zoning out I “heard” this in my head: ..,”we are not consumed.” I immediately started crying (again) but this time it was bittersweet tears of gratitude. Years ago I memorized Lamentations 3:19 – 24:
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:19-24
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lor
therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:19-24
When we are struggling, suffering and exhausted the Word of God is our only hope. It is our perspective maker. It is the ONLY thing that can settle me down when I don’t have any answers and neither does anyone or anything else (not even Google). I hope and pray you take time to memorize meaningful Scripture. I know it isn’t easy. I know you aren’t good at memorizing (who over 30 is?). But I do know this.., someday, sometime, something, someone will be more than you can take. And when that happens you will be EQUIPPED with the only thing that will give you hope and real peace; the Word of God. I also know this; my child will not be consumed because God’s compassion never fails, therefore I WILL wait for him. “Lord thank you that my paper cuts have not yet healed. Thank you that in the hurt I have a greater need and dependence on you. Thank you for the small arsenal of Scripture you have helped me to memorize and thank you that you drop them into my brain just when I need them. Thank you that they mean more to me than any book, doctor, friend or otherwise can tell me. Amen.”