Between THE Rock & a Hard Place
As many of you know, our oldest son was in a horrible motorcycle accident the week of Easter.
Again, we know so well how in a split second, your entire life can change. His accident was the kind of thing that makes you believe in miracles, because it’s a miracle he is alive to tell the tale.
As grateful as we are that God spared him, our life has been quite a roller coaster ride since that phone call. From the car ride to the hospital, to waiting during the intense 8-hr surgery, to the transfer to a rehab center, to now him coming home with us, our emotions have run the gamut…and sometimes it’s not been pretty.
We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
Wondering how we’ll make it through this hardship or that trauma?
Wondering why God allows more than we can handle, or why he allows us to go through things that make no sense.
What’s the plan, God?
As I look in the Bible, I find dozens of stories about ordinary people who demonstrate exemplary trust in God to receive extraordinary outcomes—particularly in the toughest times.
One of my favorites is when Joshua was leading the Israelites in the charge of Jericho. They had just celebrated the miracle of crossing the raging Jordan River on dry land. The next obstacle to the promised land was the walled city of Jericho.
What’s the plan, God? they must have wondered.
Fire from heaven?
Angel armies?
A holy earthquake?
No one would have conceived that the great battle plan to take Jericho was to march around the city once a day for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day and then shout really loudly.
But Joshua trusted God, and the whole city collapsed to be plundered.
Jake’s accident (and whatever hardship you are going through) is a reminder that the same God who led Joshua into the promised land still leads us through our darkest days.
The muck of hardship
Who would ever have guessed that Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, would end up stripped of his coat of many colors, be sold into slavery, be falsely accused of rape, end up in jail to rot—but then rise to rule Egypt and be placed in a strategic role to save his family from famine?
Trusting that God is in the business of restoration and redemption takes faith—the kind of faith that grows in the muck of hardship.
Where do you turn when life is hard?
What do you do when you pray and don’t get the answer you need?
How do you find the courage to trust God in the worst of situations?
Friend, I don’t know what you’re facing today, but I do know that God is ready with a plan to redeem and restore you.
Lift your eyes to heaven and ask HIM for the plan.
Verse
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” —Psalm 9:10
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, when life is out of control, when life is too hard to handle alone, when circumstances are beyond my ability to control or even make sense of, enter in. I’m inviting you into my chaos and asking you to be God over me and my situation. Amen.
So sorry to hear about your son’s accident. Thankful God spared his life. Hugs and Prayers for all of you??
Thanks Becky. He are very thankful,too
Appreciate your prayers.
Robyn, I had not heard about your son’s accident. How terrifying for you all. Different circumstances but I can relate due to the family crises we have been through. I pray for you as you continue to minister even while caring for him
Thank you, Sweet Friend.
Thank you for such an encouraging post!
Praying for Jake for a full recovery and for you and your husband as you care for him.
Blessings,
Edwina
Thanks so much Edwina. Appreciate you.
Sorry about your son’s accident, praying for you and your family continue strength and healing.
thanks so much!
Robyn,
So sorry to hear about your son’s accident and pray for his recovery.
Hugs,
Darlene
Thanks Darlene, He is making good progress. Med team estimates he’ll be back at work by July.
In the meantime, I am enjoying having him back home. ???
Oh Robyn and Mr, your written response above is encouraging to me that The Father of our Faith is generous with comfort and support. May HE wrap Jake and you and Mr. with HIS spiritual bubble wrap. Only HE knows Why, but HE shares the How. Love to you and your family.
I agree with you about that.
So sorry to hear of your son’s accident but also thankful he will recover. Our oldest son took his life 10 years ago so this email was a real boost to us today. God is faithful and helped us heal.
Oh my goodness, Donna. I’m so sorry. Thanks for writing. May the Lord continue to use you to minister to others.
Hi Robyn!
I’m so sorry to hear of your son’s accident, but thankful that he’s recovering. I’ll keep you all in my prayers. God is faithful. Even during the tough times, we can say with confidence that “He is good all the time”! God Bless You & Your Family!
So sorry to hear about Jake I pray all goes well as he is home recovering. God is good and faithful. i read your book over the weekend Widows wear pink. Thank you for sharing your story. Your story was just what I needed this weekend. I am a director of a childcare center for 100 children and on Friday as I was walking out the door my School Age staff told me they were leaving on June 2nd; panicky I left work. It’s been so hard to find staff to work in childcare and with a full school age program this summer and no teachers. I received your book and Thursday and started on Friday night reading and finish Sunday before church. I learned to be thankful for the staff I have!! I need to be a witness for my staff and not have a meltdown. I need to reassure my staff God knows our needs even before we ask so trust God, He has a plan for our Center!! When I came to work this morning and read your devotional. It was just the reassurance and peace I needed for today! Thank you so much. Also, I have been informed you will be speaking at our Church in November 7th I can’t wait to meet you. Have a blessed day.
Barb
Hi Barb,
I’m in agreement with you for calm, and for staff replacements, and smooth transitions.
Love and Hugs and Prayers for Jake, Praise the Lord he is alive. I personally don’t know his spiritual status but I pray this will bring him closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Since I read The Widow Wore Pink a few years ago, I feel like I know of him through your writings (smile)
Oh, Robyn…I am SO sorry for Jake and his accident, but this picture paints an incredibly beautiful picture of the gift that we have in the form of PRAYER. I will pray for him continuously throughout his recovery and I pray that you all draw even closer to our Heavenly Father. We ALL need Him beyond our greatest imagination.