On a Wednesday, several months ago, news came my way that pulled me away from my ordinary life as I took a deep dive into the hard. The actual situation is not as important as how I received the news, supported the person, and looked for guidance for myself. Life did not stop in that moment, but instead, there were still blessings in the ordinary as I searched for hope in the hard.
Bad news can knock us down in one fell swoop if we let it. All bets are off as we face the hard and lose sight of the hope. What looked like an ordinary day can easily turn into something unrecognizable.
I can honestly admit I have stumbled upon bad days and sunk under the weight of emotions and news that pulls me under. I forget how God brings blessings in the ordinary and hope in the hard. The simple act of looking upward is blinded by news that casts my eyes downward.
But on this particular Wednesday my only role was to stand in the gap between what was and what will be. It looked like emotional support that only a mom can give. God saw me and looked into that raw place of my momma’s heart that was hurting. He gently took my chin and turned my eyes to look into His. The message He whispered sounded like “I got this”!
One gaze into the eyes of the Father, who adores us, resets the division between the ordinary and the hard. The hurting places in our heart begin the process of healing and we find it easier to see the blessings in the ordinary and hope in the hard.
What I am learning looks like this:
God doesn’t call us to do the job that He is going to do. Healing the broken, providing wisdom for hurting, and extending grace in the hard are part of what God does best.
Resting in who God says I am is enough in the hard and ordinary. There is never a need to prove myself to the One who created me just as I am.
I’m not in charge of fixing others or their difficult situations. Whew! This is a hard one to press pause on as my “go to” mode is always to fix others. I say it’s the mom in me, which is true, but I am deeply wired to remove the hurt in others.
God brings the hard in order for us to see the blessings in the ordinary more clearly. And the reverse of this is true also. He provides everyday, routine days so we can remember when we desperately need hope in the hard.
Lord, how wonderful you are!
You have stored up so many good things for us,
like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings—
all for those who honor and worship you!
Everybody knows what you can do
for those who turn and hide themselves in you. – Psalm 31:19 TPT
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Whether you are searching for blessings in the ordinary or hope in the hard, God is by your side. He hears you, sees you, and hurts as your own heart hurts. Today I am hiding myself in the promises that God never fails or abandons us no matter what our day looks like. Will you join me and feel how much God loves you too?
Blessings!
You may find me linking at these lovely blogs this week.
I’m sorry for the hard, Mary, yet thankful that God used you as a Godly example and help to this person, while at the same time increasing your knowledge and faith in Him. What a wonder our God is! Blessings on your Mother’s Day!
Thank you, June! When we open ourselves to God and let Him show us the way when things are difficult, He leaves a beautiful result. I am nothing if I don’t continue to learn and let God use me.
Well, I do hate the hard.
But I have to admit that it’s in those times my roots went down deeper. Simply because He was faithful as ever and I wasn’t in charge like I thought I was.
These soul lessons aren’t always easy, are they, friend …
Me too! There is so much to learn through the hard and you are right that our roots go down deeper. Soul lessons are hard and require work on our part but the other side is so worth it.
Yes! Oh friend….yes! Praying for you and your family too.
Thank you, Tara! We all face challenges and the truth in the messy is that there is hope in the hard because of God.
Hope in the hard. Yes, what would we do without that hope? But it’s not always easy to hang onto that hope when we get blind-sided or flipped upside-down, is it? Like you say, the looking upward can be blinded by the news that makes us look downward. I love the picture of God gently taking your chin and turning your eyes to look up to Him, whispering, “I’ve got this!” I often want to fix things, too, but again and again I have to surrender my control and place loved ones into God’s hands. Love and hugs to you, Mary! May God give you strength and wisdom!
Thank you for affirming how God spoke to you through these words. We are nothing without God and the beauty is His patient gentleness with us when we try to take the reins away from Him. I am praying for our perseverance and willingness to continue to surrender all especially our control to God. May He show us the freedom that is found in Him. Love you friend!
The desire to try to fix things for others can be so strong at times but yes, we need to be able to take a step back and let God be God. Noticing the ordinary blessings in the middle of the hard makes a big difference!
Letting God be God sounds so easy, doesn’t it? But it’s amazing how much easier things go when we do. I always love when you stop by and share your insight.
I loved this line: “God doesn’t call us to do the job that He is going to do.”
Sometimes I forget and think I can superhero my way through life (or at least that I should be able to!) God never asked us to be God. What a relief!
I love your description of trying to superhero your way through life. Yes and amen! That would be me. And you’re right, God never asked us to be God. Blessed to have you here today Becky!
Yes! This is just the message my heart needed today. I’m a fixer by nature and there are just some things that won’t be fixed. And there are plenty of things that are not mine to do. May we find grace to accept God patient message of “I’ve got this.”
Thank you for your sweet words. I have mentioned once or twice that I am a fixer too. I know without a doubt that is why God gave me the word “surrender” this year. He wants me to let go and get out of His way.I am praying for the grace to allow God to take over instead of me trying to push my way into a situation that is God’s to fix. Love having you stop by.
Beautiful post, Mary, and you’re in my prayers.
Thank you, Andrew! Prayers continue for you too.