Doodle 101 / Back To School/ Wooing Through Distress

My daughter has 3 children, 2 school age and one very active toddler. She is a teacher by trade, so homeschooling during this Covid confusion might be easier for her, right? As I watched her breakdown in tears after walking her kindergartener through his first day of “virtual school” I realized that her pain over the loss of going to a classroom for the first time, meeting a new teacher, making new friends, and experiencing the joys she once had, run deep. It was heartbreaking. We want good things for our children (& Grandchildren!) We want the BEST for them. I want GOD’S best for them:)

I know from my own trial and (much) error, that the only way forward is through…and the only way to make it to the other side with joy and hope is by clinging to the Lord for every step. Is it easier? No, not really…BUT, in times like these, the Lord is so good to provide what we need if we dare to believe.

Getting used to a new normal, will never feel normal, if we are stuck in the past. It is so challenging to remember that this in NOT our home, and it will never feel normal. Here, we will always long for the garden. Each day we are required to choose. Do we choose to believe this is it or do we trust that our home is being prepared for us by our Groom. Our good Father gives us a new day….EVERYDAY, and this is our best hope! Our discomfort is the blessing and vehicle God uses to woo is bride…

I encourage you to read all of Job Chapter 36.

We are held down by our misunderstanding of restriction, when we view our world with the limitations of man. God has so much more for us if only we would look up. In the hope of a new day, there is always the blessing of a better way. One that we cannot find for ourselves. We must abide… pray continually…rely on God to order each step.

King Solomon knew that if He prayed according to God’s will, the Lord would answer…Solomon prayed for wisdom to better love and serve God’s people. Yahweh honored that prayer because it was motivated by love for both Himself and others. The Lord made Solomon the wisest King on earth.

Modeling this kind of prayer changed my life. No longer do I limit my requests to what my human mind can imagine, but trust that God has so much MORE than I could EVER imagine, when I am motivated by LOVE. (Ephesians 3:20)

I found an article by John Piper that explains Job Chapter 36 in great depth. With the link below, you can read or listen to this insightful teaching:)

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/job-rebuked-in-suffering

For those of you who are in the midst of much “hard” know you are NOT alone. There are so many facing trials of all kinds. Each of us desperately needs God’s wisdom to evaluate each step we are to take. HIS WAY, is always the BEST WAY. <—— If you’re not sure this is true, keep track of your steps. You’ll see, over time, that when you are in the driver’s seat, the road you are on does not lead to the place of your dreams:)

Again, I encourage you to read Job 36…the whole chapter. I believe Elihu’s words to Job give us hope for the circumstances of “our day.”

PRAY PRAY PRAY for God’s wisdom, it will be given to you, and your steps will then lead to contentment…and life. Your suffering draws you closer to God, and is meant to refine, not destroy.

I am praying for you all, especially for my daughter, and Mom’s like her…who strive to honor their call to train up their children in the way that they should go. It’s not an easy road, but the Lord has given us His BEST GPS…We simply need to turn it on, and follow. We will arrive in God’s timing, to eternity.

Click on the image above for the printable.

Much love,