Monday of this week was one of those days. In fact, this has been a week or two for the record books. But Monday was especially tough. But three things encourage me nevertheless.
The first is friends. I have guys I can turn to in a heartbeat. Geoff at Be Thou My Vision gave recent testimony to the power of community. For a pastor, community is especially important, and yet for many, elusive. I’m grateful for what God has given me.
The second is the gospel. I do not have to despair. There is a gospel that points me to an historic reality that, contrary to all sense, God has given to me Himself through his Son. What need any of us fear losing when we have ben given such a treasure?
The third was a word given in its proper time. After dinner Monday, for family worship, I was to read Psalm 3. A more appropriate Psalm could hardly have been chosen. But I did not choose it; God did.
If I’ve had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, my wife has had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad couple of weeks (friend battling cancer, daughter suffering a miscarriage, sister diagnosed with a brain tumor). But a friend called her today. And she sees the cross. And she holds up.
God is good. He has told us there would be days like this. Weeks, too. And months. Even in Australia, and even in Bradenton.
And if you do not understand the allusions in the title and conclusion of this post, get thee to a library and find Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and read it immediately. I think you’ll find it more accessible than Crime and Punishment!
Gus&Adri
Like the book – and the boy’s name of course 😉 – as well as your analogy and the lessons you’ve been taught and then shared with your readers. Yes the story is easier than Crime and Punishment.ae
MagistraCarminae
Sending hugs your way, and praising God for you-Dave and Chris
Gail and Keith
Thanks for your post, Randy. Even in the midst of the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, (or weeks) when my emotions are all over the place and ready to fly apart like a too tightly wound clock, I can rest in God’s Word. Emotions are tricky, but God is my rock, the one constant, unchanging truth in a sea of turmoil. G (Preached that to myself this week)
TulipGirl
I didn’t realize just how much was going on with y’all right now. . . And I know it wouldn’t be better if you were in Australia.