We are living out the "happily ever after" in our story. I want to take a minute to fill in some of the gaps that Hollywood usually leaves out. The dramatic climax was our arrival home as a family. God delivered us home safely from Germany, and most important, we were together. Truly, this was and is a mighty answer to very fervent prayer. Unlike in the movies, however, the story does not stop there.
I mentioned in a previous post that we were very jet-lagged when we came home. It took about ten days for our bodies to adjust. Then I (sunshine) came down with a horrendous cold. After feeling so poorly (and even grumpy) for over two weeks, I was really praying for relief. Had God answered my huge prayer, only to watch me struggle in overwhelming circumstances at home? Just about that time, I was feeling very depressed. Why you ask? I should have been on top of the world. Had I forgotten Gods provision for our family. The answer is no, I had not forgotten. The only thing that I can say to explain is that I crashed. My body and mind had been working on overtime for months, and my little mind and emotions finally was able to feel the release. I am so thankful for a very understanding and patient husband. I am sure that it made no sense to him. "God answers yes to prayer, wife falls apart. Ah, yes, that makes perfect sense!"
Thankfully, before I came home from Germany, a friend back home had some foresight into this issue. Melinda reminded me of a time in Elijah's life... Just after the showdown on Mount Carmel, Elijah experienced those same feelings. For three years Elijah had prayed that it would not rain. A very angry King Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal, and all of the people of Israel went to the mountain. Elijah challenged the people to worship the true God. Then he issued a challenge to the prophets of Baal, build and alter and offer a sacrifice to Baal, then call on Baal to set fire to the sacrifice. As you can expect, after several hours of prayer, no fire. Then Elijah repeated the process with a twist. Around the alter he dug a ditch. Then he ordered the people to pour water on the sacrifice. They did this four times. The alter, wood, and sacrifice were soaked, and the ditch was full too.
Then Elijah prayed. Only God can answer by fire, and He did! The sacrifice, the alter (rocks), the water, and even the dust was consumed. That was quite an answer to prayer. The people cried out in praise to God. Next, the rains came, the drought was over. This was a true mountain-top experience. But, then, just a short while later, Elijah prays again, but his prayer sounds very different. "God, I am the only one left." I think that Elijah crashed too.
I am reminded of another wise thing that Melinda told me not to long ago. Don't
think with your
feelings. Just because I feel overwhelmed does not mean that God is hanging out and watching me fail. I don't need to assume that every thing that I feel is true. Sometimes, I just need to cling to God and ride out the feelings. I am a finite being. Even bliss can feel overwhelming. Isn't that why we cry when something amazing happens? Someday soon, we will experience the inexpressible and there will be no tear to wipe away. Until then, I will probablycry a lot.
Back to the "happily ever after." We will try to remember the mighty things that God has already done when we face those things that make us cower and shrink back. When God is for us, who can be against us? This is more than just positive thinking. My positive thinking fails me a hundred times a day. True hope in God is steadfast and it only comes through refining trials. Romans 5:3-5 says "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Praise God, this is way better than Hollywood.
By God's grace, we are getting back into the swing of things.
On Saturday, I (dad) thought it would be a great idea if we camped out in the backyard. I asked the kids and they were really excited too. I set up the tent and got the campfire ready. The main creature comfort we use is: Two (2) full sized mattresses.
