One more reference to
Kara Tippett’s book, The Hardest Peace and then I will move on. She talked about those days “The Prayer of
Jabez” swept the spiritual world and the expectations we were left
holding. “Oh, that you would bless me
and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so
that I will be free from pain. And God granted his request.” I Chronicles
4:10, “We all liked what his prayer had
to offer, plenty without pain.” OH—How
we ALL want this! Kara addresses who was
the prayer meant for? What if it was
only meant for Jabez? She reminds us we
are all guilty of wanting more and ease, and we want to use God to get it. “But we are not the Author of our story. We are the characters.”
As I sat in the nail
parlor treating myself to a badly need pedicure, I overheard a conversation
between two women. It is not
eavesdropping when they are talking across the room. They were discussing what jewelry to wear to
some gala they were having their nails done for. There is not one thing wrong with having your
nails done, nor having jewelry, nor attending a gala-but I sat there and
remembered those who are instead worrying about what they will feed their
family tonight. As my daughter often
states, “A First World Problem” is the mundane worries of our world of ease.
So pretend, we indeed
have it all—our territory has been expanded—our life is filled with
blessings—and there has never been any pain.
Would you then sleep better at night?
My professional career as a CPA taught me people are never
satisfied. There is ALWAYS someone
around the corner who has more—and we want what they have. You get all the money---the biggest
house---the most expensive car---travel the globe—own fine art and expensive
jewelry---but then meet someone who has all that AND is more successful at
golf-tennis—their career—prettier wife---on and on. There is always something around the corner to
whet our appetite and create envy. Man
is NEVER satisfied with things of this earth.
Contrast that with The
Third World---What am I going to feed my family today, will there be water
enough to keep us alive, where will we sleep, how can I protect them from the
danger all around, will I wake up
tomorrow. In our quest for more—we
forget those who have nothing. Why would
God bless us when we forget the least of those?
Circle back to where
we started. Life has pain—for all of
us—rich and poor. Somehow—somewhere—at
some point in time—you will experience pain—of some description. In riches and in want—there is pain. Where is all this leading? “Do you not see
how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and
make it a soul?” John Keats. It is not what you have—it is what you do with
what you have and how you handle those moments of pain. News Flash—we DO NOT get out of this alive! Death is hard—it can be painful---loss is
heartbreaking---God does not promise us a life with no pain. God does promise, He will be with
us—faithfully—every step of the way. There is pain, but the plenty in our life
is the love of the Father---and His abiding presence during those times of
pain.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
Great post. I think I have shared with you we had it "all", then hubby got sick. Lost it "all"--and now, barely scrapping the bottom of the barrel. But you know what? You can't take it with you! We have food, and the utilities paid, rent is paid, we have each other, the boy isn't on drugs, etc. Life is good. Not to mention less is best, just my opinion. We have lived this way for so long, that if /when I do get that degree and go back to work, it will be extra money to get by.
ReplyDeleteANYWAYS---Great post, Lulu, thank you. Blessings---AND you are so right, life is hard, it is what you make out of it. Like the old saying goes, Have lemons?
PS I have that book, Prayer of Jabez. My good friend Bonnie sent it to me, she has a blog too.
DeleteNothing wrong praying the prayer BUT our territory may not be physical or fiscal riches but even better spiritual! Thank you for your encouragement, Friend!
DeleteFriday Blessings!
I am so guilty of whining over "first world problems." Happy for the reminder to be thankful for my life and to turn around and bless others in whatever ways I can.
ReplyDeleteWe are ALL guilty! Thankful He sends us reminders in many forms---the homeless people in FW are a constant source of those reminders!
DeleteBlessings!
We all need our perspectives realigned from time to time, don't we, Lulu. Our culture shouts constantly and its message is in no way biblical.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tuneup, the straight talk, friend. Weekend blessings and a hug for you!
It is a constant battle!
DeleteBlessings to you Friend!