Painful growth

Devotion:
"She's choking!" Juli's precious little girl could not catch her breath, so with stealth-like maneuvering Juli pulled her from the high chair, and retrieved the goldfish cracker that was lodged in her throat. For the first eleven months of life this child had only known gentleness from her mother, but today's crisis called for swift, if not exactly gentle, action. Juli spent next 45 minutes consoling her quivering baby, all the while she trembled herself realizing how close she'd come to losing her.

Sometimes the Lord treats us the same way. He rescues us from certain danger and yet we see it as the most painful event of our lives! I look back on my life and see moments I deemed devastating, only to discover later they were actually life-giving.

Have you ever broken down and cried until there were no more tears? I have. Have you ever wondered why this tragedy is happening to you? I have. Have you ever questioned if God really cares about your circumstances? I have. Have you sat quivering like Juli or her little girl, wondering if you would ever see the sun shine in your life again? You are not alone.

In 2 Corinthians 11:26-28 Paul said, "I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."

Now here was a guy who had every reason to throw his hands up and say, "I quit - If you loved me God you wouldn't put me through this!"However, God revealed to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

The trial that you are facing today is not too big for God to handle. As a matter of fact, being the loving parent that He is, He may be rescuing you from certain death. Believe Him ... Trust Him ... Love Him despite your circumstances. Someday you will look back on this time and see His hand was there all along.

Dear Lord, help us to rely on You completely during the good times, but especially Father when we can't see past our struggle. Teach us to be more like Paul who discovered that when we are weak, You are strong in us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I really don't think about it all that much-that it's been over 9 years since I separated from my ex-h and it will be 5 years soon that I've been legally divorced. It's usually after a relationship ends that I wonder how much longer until God blesses me with a husband and a father for my kids? I admit I haven't done everything right, but with first ex-bf C it was a very proper, by the book relationship that did go fast commitment-wise. I've tried to listen to God's leading as far as not even getting involved with someone who didn't seem to have it together spiritually; didn't even let them kiss me even though they were attractive because I knew they weren't going to be the one.

I do have questions and it does perplex me that God hasn't done more of a miracle in this area because a Christian man could add so much to my kids' lives. This isn't just a selfish want on my part for companionship and affection; it's a mom's desire to provide what every child should ideally have.

This will not make me doubt God though, I just have questions. I did ignore the Holy Spirit several months ago and have done it in the past. This might've caused a hold up in God fulfilling my desire for a husband. Maybe it's the man who isn't quite ready? Lord, my kids are growing up fast. My son is 16. You know better than I, but this mom wants a good man in their lives asap!