He Speaks Peace...

 The day felt long and I was tired. Thoughts of a quiet, undisturbed evening at home, kept me going through the afternoon. The 5:00 o'clock bell rang and I raced out the door and headed for home. My hopes were dashed as I saw the plumber's truck in the driveway. I knew they were planning to come replace our water heater but I thought they would long be done by 5. Oh well, I thought, they are probably just finishing up. But, no! they were only just beginning! 

The space in my apartment is quite compact, at best, and they were effectively blocking my kitchen and bathroom, with droughts of cold air blowing in the open door. This was NOT what I had in mind! I felt decidedly grumpy and wanted to sit down and cry. Instead, I went upstairs to lament my woes to my sister's listening ear. She was quite sympathetic and suggested going out for supper. Even that didn't cheer me as much as you would've thought and I found myself grumbling and complaining the whole way. 

When we returned some time later, what was my dismay to see the plumber was STILL there! I couldn't believe it! Grumbling and complaining even more I went with Ann to work on the puzzle. Normally, I love puzzles but tonight my heart wasn't in it. 

At long last the water heater was installed, the placed cleaned up and I was free to return to my own abode. All I could do was sit down and have that good cry. When, at last, the tears began to subside I took up my Bible and journal. It was then I realized that what happened that evening was only a culmination of disappointments I had felt earlier that day. This was only a "small" thing but the others were quite significant. Things that didn't seem to have any answers no matter how much I prayed and came back to haunt me time and again! 

And then God reminded me of the story of Lazarus' death in John 11. I'm not going to tell the whole story here (you can read it for yourself) but only a few things he highlighted to me. Lazarus' sisters asked Jesus to come because he was sick but he didn't show up till after Lazarus died! And then he came and asked them to show him where they had laid him. I would've said, "No, it's too late! It STINKS and I'm not going there again! I asked you to come and you didn't. Why do you want to look at it now??"

Our deepest disappointments are when it feels like God didn't come through for us, but that is the place he wants to go with us so he can speak and bring life. 

What about you? What is your deepest disappointment? Take Jesus there and let him speak into that place. Listen closely, for what he says will surprise you. 

And always, always...he speaks peace...