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After moving in with our daughter for the winter we had the following conversation:

Me: Elisa what are we doing here? I would never have thought that at this point in our lives, life would be so uncertain for your father and I.

Elisa: Mom, don’t let a job or house define you, and please don’t lose sight of your purpose.

Me: You are one smart cookie!

After having that conversation, I had to smile. This was role reversal at it best. Instead of me reminding Elisa that outward stuff really does not make a man, she was now repeating my very own instruction. Unlike the past, I was now the student and she was the teacher.

Nevertheless, I have to be honest with you; talking the talk is much easier than walking the walk. There are days that I get frustrated, feel defeated, and begin questioning, “How much longer?” But then I am reminded of a scripture verse that I memorized as a very young Christian.

And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, (even) to them that are called according to (his) purpose. Romans 8:28 (NAS Version)

I then begin jumping up and down as I really take in what this verse is saying. To them that love God ─ that’s me! I do love God, and I have been called according to His purpose. So why do I sometimes forget that all of this is for the good?

To put it bluntly…I am human. I want to excel at my job, have a real house of my own, and not have to wonder what my future holds. I want my cake and eat it too.

But that is not what God is asking of me right now. He is asking me to hold off on the cake eating part right now and to simply trust and obey. In the meantime, He is meeting my every need. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, and surrounded by my loving family.

I might not have all the luxuries in my life like I use to have, but then again my purpose in my life is not what it use to be. When God called my husband and me into ministry, He warned me that at the beginning it would be very hard, but if we continue to trust, the blessings would be too numerous to count.

As we wait on God to open up the doors for future employment, permanent housing, and more ministry opportunities, I must keep an eternal perspective in mind. I trust that one day God will show me exactly all the good that is coming out of these days.

I might not be able to have my cake and eat it too right now, but I am grateful for all the little morsels of blessings that I get each and every day. And the next time I begin to question, “why?” I will simply answer myself: ‘Because that’s the way the cookie crumbles.’ And be happy that at least I get to eat cookies!

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk and not grow faint..

Isaiah 40:31

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

What Are We to Do When Others Give Us A Rough Time?