An opportunity, a repeat opportunity, dangled in front of me. So close, almost mine, and then in a nano second, gone. Eaten by one of the many catfish in my spiritual tank.
Hurt, I crawled away, desperate to find a hole to hide in. God held me back.
He sent rainbows to remind me there is more to life than the rain and heartache: "After rainstorms, puddles reflect sunrises, or mountains, or rainbows, or blossoms." Joseph T. Sullivan in Good Morning, Lord.
God reminded me through the scriptural story of Joseph in the Egyptian prison that our attitude and example during a time of crises, or disappointment, can influence others and change our circumstances for the better.
He reminded me in Philippians 4:6 "not to be anxious about anything."
Psalm 105: 2-5 re-emphasized those promises: "Sing to him, yes sing praises to him; relate all his wondrous works. Glory in his holy name: let the heart rejoice which seeks the Lord. Seek the Lord, and be strengthened: seek His face evermore. Remember his marvelous works which he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth."
That doesn't diminish the hurt, or humiliation, but it does dictate my reaction. In this situation, the Serenity Prayer has been another source of strength, and peace.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
An interesting side note on this: this is the exact same situation I was in exactly a year ago. I even marked a passage in my devotion, Streams in the Desert for this day: "Speak to the Lord about any trial you are facing or any difficulties you may have in your family or professional life." I marked this statement with dates in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The same situation repeated at the same time each year.
The passage continues: "By prayer and petition - earnestly pleading, persevering and enduring, and waiting, waiting, waiting on God."
Again, a pattern of threes in both the circumstance and in the verse. I now understand the symbolism of the number three in my physical and spiritual life: I am to see God (represented by the number three) in every situation and circumstance. Even when a catfish eats my carrot God is with me.
Great attitude, Marie! More carrots will come your way!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sheila. It is the only thing I can control - my attitude!
ReplyDeleteOnce again you read my mail. I ask a friend to pray with me for the "dangling carrot" and yes I used the term, to come through or be removed...it is distracting. It makes me hope for a huge change, while keeping us from pushing forward on what we have our hands on.
ReplyDeleteYour scriptures are what I am hearing also in this unemployment, season..yes a repeat here also.
Blessings and praying for you right now.
Praying for your situation, Janette. I was asked by a former temp employer to apply for the position as a regular employee. After going through the whole process including the interview, I was not chosen for the job. This is the second - and last - time I will submit an application at their request. This is why I am struggling with it so much. I was asked to submit and then didn't get the job. Sigh. Hope your situation changes for the better quickly!
ReplyDelete