Curve Ball

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Sometimes life throws a curve ball at you. I guess one of a few things happens when it does. You either catch it, duck, or it hits you. Sometimes you just can’t avoid getting hit. As most of you know, when you do get hit, it hurts.

My husband reminded me recently of a scar that is on my knee. It is from a wound that is deep not only physically but emotionally as well. He reminded me that although it took time, the wound there healed and didn’t hurt like it did once before. The scar however, will be there the rest of my life. I think the same thing happens when one of those curve balls hits us. It hurts terribly and eventually heals, but always leaves a mark.

I recently got hit harder than I ever have before. I’m still recovering. I know the Lord allows trouble and pain in our lives only if there is a way He plans to use it for His Purpose and Glory. I am thankful for the comfort and peace from above that He is in control and has a plan. Although there is no guarantee the sting from the hits are not going hurt in this world, the scripture above gives me hope. I’m still on the team that wins in the end.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve send how God works far ahead of that curve ball’s path. He knows what we will need before we actually need it. He provides.

-Our Pastor just finished a series on how the Lord doesn’t cause the lemons in our lives to be. He does however take the lemons life gives us and turns them to lemonade. If, and that is a big “IF,” we allow Him to. I had no idea that during the weeks of listening to these messages, the Lord was preparing me for what was just ahead.

-Once a friend told me “Heaven gets sweeter as we age.” I didn’t completely understand that at first. The more loved ones I let go and know are with Jesus, the more I understand her words. He is holding so many I will joyfully be reunited with one day. The last couple weeks, the words in that statement came alive to me.

-“Sadness is better than laughter, for sorrow has great influence over us.”- Ecclesiastes 7:4 I once heard someone interpret this as “The tears we cry in the midst of our pain, God uses—much like water softens hardened ground—to tenderize our hearts.”–Scott Hasenbalg. I wrote this quote down years ago not knowing why. I hit the save button and randomly ran across it just at the right time a few days ago.

-A little over a year ago, I said “I Do” to an amazing man. This man not only shares the pain I go through, but gives me strength and joy in the midst of a hard time. He is a gift. I can’t imagine going through the joy and pain in life without him.

As I pray to see lemonade though it may seem impossible, I realize I pray to the One who makes the impossible possible. I am renewed by His Power, Grace, Hope, Love, and Healing. I take heart, He has overcome the world.