It was Saturday night. I sat down in my recliner, propped up my feet, and snuggled in to start a novel for a class. Tea by my side, I burrowed underneath my plaid snuggie and cuddled up close to my oversized stuffed frog. All things considered, I should have felt relaxed and peaceful. However, while I was reading, I couldn't help but feel lonely. My roommate was puppy-sitting for a friend and wouldn't be home until late. My family was having fun attending a wedding back home. My fiance was spending time with friends in the town where he attends college. I had been working on homework, minding my own business, when out of nowhere, this flood of lonliness washed over me, and I remember thinking to myself, I need a cat. I felt the desire to have something that was always there, something that would cuddle and bring me comfort when I felt alone, something that wouldn't go away just when I made a stupid mistake. Since I am renting a house with a strict no-pet-policy, this new companion was out of the question. It was then that I asked the infamous question, "Why, God?" Why did you put me here without my family and my fiance? Why are you allowing me to go through a season like this? I don't like the way it feels. As the questions came, so did something I wasn't expecting. Peace, an answer. As I paused my complaining to think about what God could be doing, the answer was crystal clear...growing. I realized that God was using this time of lonliness to draw me closer to Him. When I literally had no one there for me, God was there, and He had never moved. By allowing me to feel completely alone, God helped me to realize that He is always with me. My parents and fiance all have to hang up the phone, log off of Skype, and stop sending emails at some point. God never has to leave. I realized that God is using this time, the time when I am away from those who are most important to me, to develop an intimate God and Dani relationship, to teach me to lean on His love, to fall into His arms, and to acknowledge His eternal presence. I am reminded of Joshua 1:19 where God promises, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (NKJV). Have you ever, or are you lately, feeling confused as to why God has allowed you to end up where you are? I would encourage you to pause, and to pray, and to make a conscious effort to look for ways (maybe make a list) that God is showing you His presence and drawing you to Himself through these circumstances. After all, God says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (NKJV). No matter what I, you, we are going through at this very moment, God has it all under control, and He is doing it for a reason. So, what did God allow me to learn this week? In everything, a purpose.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
In Everything, A Purpose
It was Saturday night. I sat down in my recliner, propped up my feet, and snuggled in to start a novel for a class. Tea by my side, I burrowed underneath my plaid snuggie and cuddled up close to my oversized stuffed frog. All things considered, I should have felt relaxed and peaceful. However, while I was reading, I couldn't help but feel lonely. My roommate was puppy-sitting for a friend and wouldn't be home until late. My family was having fun attending a wedding back home. My fiance was spending time with friends in the town where he attends college. I had been working on homework, minding my own business, when out of nowhere, this flood of lonliness washed over me, and I remember thinking to myself, I need a cat. I felt the desire to have something that was always there, something that would cuddle and bring me comfort when I felt alone, something that wouldn't go away just when I made a stupid mistake. Since I am renting a house with a strict no-pet-policy, this new companion was out of the question. It was then that I asked the infamous question, "Why, God?" Why did you put me here without my family and my fiance? Why are you allowing me to go through a season like this? I don't like the way it feels. As the questions came, so did something I wasn't expecting. Peace, an answer. As I paused my complaining to think about what God could be doing, the answer was crystal clear...growing. I realized that God was using this time of lonliness to draw me closer to Him. When I literally had no one there for me, God was there, and He had never moved. By allowing me to feel completely alone, God helped me to realize that He is always with me. My parents and fiance all have to hang up the phone, log off of Skype, and stop sending emails at some point. God never has to leave. I realized that God is using this time, the time when I am away from those who are most important to me, to develop an intimate God and Dani relationship, to teach me to lean on His love, to fall into His arms, and to acknowledge His eternal presence. I am reminded of Joshua 1:19 where God promises, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (NKJV). Have you ever, or are you lately, feeling confused as to why God has allowed you to end up where you are? I would encourage you to pause, and to pray, and to make a conscious effort to look for ways (maybe make a list) that God is showing you His presence and drawing you to Himself through these circumstances. After all, God says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (NKJV). No matter what I, you, we are going through at this very moment, God has it all under control, and He is doing it for a reason. So, what did God allow me to learn this week? In everything, a purpose.
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Very well-written, Dani. And thank you for such a timely reminder.
ReplyDelete...as always, me too! Except for me, it's more of a... I have no "Man" in my life..I ask God WHY? When literally every other person I know has an earthly lover...I do not. It all goes back to drawing near to God and acknowledging his presence :) Thanks for the Encouragment...and flowers :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your blogging has encouraged me to go watch Julie & Julia