mercies in the mess

Lamentations 3:21-23

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Sunday school in the young adults' room started great this morning; sweet-syrupy waffles and all the toppings. We had a fun time of fellowship looking over the pictures taken at Friday night's laser tag activity. It was just another Sunday morning... Until we got the news that one of the young adults had been in a bad car accident on her way to church. This girl's sister and boyfriend slipped out of the room quietly and the rest of us had a moment of corporate prayer for her. The news did not sound great.

Only a few moments ago I saw a picture of the totaled car and heard that there are no life-threatening injuries. In this case, it is a miracle considering the condition of the car. The verses above immediately came to my mind. I thought of God's mercies.

It's hard sometimes to know how to mentally and emotionally handle bad things happening to "good" people. It's hard handling the shock of pain when someone we know is hurting. It's hard handling my own unfulfilled desires and dreams that feel totally lost.

It's easy to grow bitter. It's easy to get a little angry at times. When I feel unheard. When it feels like God is distant from the one He's causing to suffer.

But He reminded me this morning... He is near. He does not coldly watch our suffering from a distance. He is as close as possible to us when we hurt, He is feeling our hurt too. I love Isaiah 53:4, "He hath.. carried our sorrows."

Even if the pain and the waiting keeps us waiting and asking for a while yet. Knowing my God is my FATHER, close & intimate, loving- dissolves the bitterness, banishes the anger, nurtures my trust.

And as I thought when I heard the incredible news about this girl and God's protection over her... God laces the hard times with His mercies. There is beauty in the ashes because He always always always ultimately gives us good. Sometimes we see it right away, sometimes we wait a long time to see it.

But, He is faithful. He is merciful.

This has been on my heart. and I needed to write it.

I have a specific huge prayer request. And I can't wait for God to answer it. But, until He does... I'll let His blessings come to me in the raindrops, I'll embrace the healing through the tears, I'll let the sleepless nights remind me that He is near.

Happy Sunday, friends.

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