Life has a way of smacking me right in the face on a quite regular basis. It seems every time things get boring and stable, there is a crisis or major change right around the corner. The key though is not what the change is, but how you handle it. The change will come, and it’s critical that I am able to navigate through the mine field.
So, recently there have been lots of changes and crises to face. These encompass lots of different areas of life. The biggest change for me involved the death father who was also one of the greatest friends ever. He and I were extremely close. I have spent time helping my mom get through the adjustment and grief while dealing with my own. I had said to my wife several times during his two plus year illness that there was no way I would be able to handle loosing dad. But we got through it. Other big changes have involved finances and work. Things have had to tighten up significantly, and now I have additional duties at work. But, I’m getting through it.
The big thing for me, especially for those of you who know me well, is that I have actually been able to stay calm through all of this. I think this hardheaded guy is actually learning something through these trials. Don’t get me wrong I’m still having all the fun stress seems to bring along with it, but, it is different this time around. I’m still able to smile, laugh, and say “Oh well”. I was joking with some friends and asking if that means I’m Bi-polar. In reality it is 100 percent the compassion and comfort of our Heavenly Father.
2 Corinthians 1:3 says: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort”. I thank God regularly for that fact. I am trying harder to read the word and pray with more consistency, and man does that ever help.
The most comforting fact of all is that even though my life in an ever changing roller coaster, my savior Jesus never changes. One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 13:8 which says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Wow, what a great truth. No matter what I am going through his love, comfort, compassion, and mercy is the same every day and every moment. I know that my dad is in heaven and that I will join him there some day as Jesus has promised.
Thank you Jesus for your love for me even when I take my eyes off of you and turn them on to me. Thank you Jesus for your ultimate comfort and compassion. Thank you Jesus for your forgiveness and payment for my sins. Thank you Jesus for your Word and the open line of communication you gave us with prayer. And thank you Jesus that you are with me every moment giving me the strength to carry on.
This stress is short term and from this world. The smile and the eternal comfort come from my Lord and Savior.
That knowledge is worth more than my 2 cents I usually give.
