What do we say when our plans, our expectations are disproved in one
great and momentary upheaval? What happens when the trial impatiently
endured gives way to even greater trouble than before? What do you do
when the moment you had been waiting months for never comes?
Recent
events are causing me to realize afresh that my hope is so often
misplaced. Hope is not found in a job offer, a date, a new car, the
approval of others, or most recently, the removal of a child's loathsome
but necessary medical contraption. I act as though life will be better
because of these things, that improvement will come through the
acquisition of worldly possessions or the end of a trying time.
Yet my season of singleness endures, I turn down perfectly good jobs, and the long-anticipated removal of a halo brought on much more medical trauma than anyone imagined. It shouldn't amaze me how evident the Lord's goodness is during these times, but it does. Seeing faith, courage, and joy endure, seeing God's provision in big and little things, seeing the smile of one of the most amazing toddlers I have ever known - all of those things point me back to the one in whom I should put my hope.
So do not cling to a paycheck, a boyfriend, an abundance of nice things, or good health. Put your hope in the one who gives us all of those things and sustains us every day, good or bad.
But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
(Psalm 71:14-16 ESV)
