Not so strong afterall

Sorry for being late on the post this week. Last week was full of travail as a hellacious storm blew through town and flooded our basement. I have never witnessed such a storm and today I write as yet another storm system moves through and floods our streets again. Sharon and I have worked for five days to remove the moisture and we have grown weary of it. I cannot imagine what it has been like for those of Myammar or Iowa but I am certain I never want to wade that path.

What really has been troubling is how quickly my weakness is revealed when life becomes inconvenienced or challenged. I shared Sunday how mad I got with God when my wife mourned the loss of her beloved flowers due to the hail that covered our home and yard. And then as we tore up relatively new carpet that was saturated I became passive as the fight left me and the waters continued to enter. Where was all this warrior-like intensity that I always am quick to preach about? I sat last night wondering if God could really do something wonderful using a guy like me.

I am blessed with the most amazing woman for my wife. Her wisdom is exceeded only by her beauty and compassion. In her not so subtle way she redirects my attention to Jesus (where it should have been all along). Referring to Mark Batterson's book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" she tells me to reframe my thinking and to live with uncertainty. So I read the first five chapters this morning before heading out to the office. As I sit in my now dry for the most part basement and think about those whose homes have been totally destroyed. I put on my clothes for the day and am reminded of those who have nothing. And even now I am typing with a full stomach of pizza and salad because I had friends who wanted to treat me to lunch. And I had the audacious spirit that would get mad at God. I am pitiful.

But God does not leave me there. I had an awesome morning! I called my wife and thanked her for loving me and giving me wise counsel. I then put all the bills in the mail because we had enough to cover this week's costs. (The hospital bills have been getting me down.) And then I met with a sister at the church building to do work on the community partnership ministry that we are looking to initiate this fall, that we hope will bring churches of all faiths, agencies of all varieties, and the local government together to meet the needs of those in our community that have so much less than this whiny butt.

God is good and indeed His mercies are new everyday.
Talk to you at the next stop on the path.