Finding What Is Right

Dear Christa—

And as the night enveloped them, and they drove away—away—but not from the pain, she spoke softly, “We have to do what’s best for us.” And she was right in saying so—hard as those words must have been. And so they did, and it was right. Time has proven so.

The Bible speaks of a woman who tears down her home, but a wise woman builds it up. Sometimes that is not easy. It demands a coming along side. It requires a pondering—a consideration of what is best, what is right—what is right for us.

Many things in our walk are laid out—rules to be followed from the mouth of God in Scripture. And, we are wise to know them and to obey them. Yet, many things are not so commanded. Not every family looks the same and thankfully so. It shouldn’t. 

So, each couple as they embark on a lifetime together must do what is right—what is right for them. For some that will take them to remote villages in distant continents, far, far from home. For some it will mean a continuing of a life they have always known. And each must decide. Each must do what is right for them.

Sometimes things that seem forever change. Life has a way of carrying us to places we didn’t look for. And what we find there—well, that’s often up to us.

My mother-in-law followed her husband all over the Southwest during his working years. Once, when I was a young wife, she told me, “I just decided I was going to find the good things about wherever we were.” That was a good lesson for me. It helped me to move from my native Midwest and build a home in the Colorado that I love.

And, as time shifts and turns, I want to never be afraid to experience a new adventure, for life should never be stagnant regardless of where we are. So, let us not be shocked at the surprises that await us. We are on a journey to the Holy City, and we must walk the path that is right for us.

Perseverance

Dear Christa—

The memory verse was James 1:2-3—

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because we know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

When James penned these words, he may have been talking about the great trials of religious persecution that the early believers faced. But, whether our trials are of literal persecution or the many petty trials of this life to the great struggles we endure, I’ve come to believe that all trials bring pain. And, I have seen many lately who are dealing with pain.

Some pains are transitory, as are many of the pains I hear about between high schoolers. Some, though, deal with illness and divorce which will leave an indelible mark, and then some trudge on through the aftermath of death—wondering how to adjust to this life without the parent that they so depended on. All are trials. All are in pain—and that endurance of pain makes sense of the ending of this verse that has at times been confusing to me.

I do not believe it is the trial itself that develops perseverance, but to whom we go when we are in pain.

Pain has a way of pushing toward God as our refuge or away from Him.

So, where do we go in times of pain? Do we wish it away—so much so that we reject the Comforter who waits for us? Or, do we go where we’ve always gone—the only place we really know where to go?

Pain should send us to our only Redeemer, the only One who can right the wrongs, comfort our sorrows, and bring us peace in the knowledge of His purposeful plan.

Then, and only then, can we consider our trials something in which to rejoice.