Believing anyway

What do you do ... when it wasn't what you expected.

Sometimes...
we mistakenly view our faith as a guarantee  that life will be good.

Our kids will be safe.
Plans will follow their prescribed course.
Things will move along...smoothly.

We will go to church.
We will send money to needy children.
We will give money to dig fresh water wells.
We will sing on the worship team.
We will read the bible...
and encourage other believers.

Our life will be ideal.

Until it isn't.

Too often, more often than not...

a life of faith
leaves you hanging on by a thread...

part of growing your faith-
is learning to walk in some really scary and dark places...

and part of faith-
is just simply holding on...

Holding on when your heart is broken...
holding on when your child rebels and disappoints you...
holding on when your life, becomes a series of things stacking up, seemingly against you...
holding on when your mother gets Alzheimers...
holding on when your friend walks away...
holding on when the cancer comes back...
holding on...

because, regardless of what our eyes see...
and what our ears hear...
we can trust and believe what our Spirit knows...

That He has a plan-and ultimately it IS good.
That He is with us and will NEVER leave us.
That He is holding our hand...
even when we are barely holding on...

For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13