Week Twenty-Eight - Stuck

I thought I'd be writing this blog in the air. We were to fly back to the UK on Monday, but our flight was canceled. We thought we would fly on Tuesday but arrived to find another cancellation. Now, I anticipate flying this afternoon. Time will tell. 

Meanwhile, we are stuck in the Ozarks. And that's not a bad thing. It has afforded time to spend with my precious friend, Mary. She is providing room, board, transport, and sweet fellowship while we wait and enjoy the Lord's gift of time together.

I used to grow anxious when life stuck me in uncomfortable or unexpected spots. Like when I felt my little ones would never grow up and I was stuck as a young mother. Or when we were so poor we lived on hot dogs and pot pies. Or when I found myself begging for showers of blessing instead of appreciating each little drop of mercy falling around me. These places felt like they would never go away, like I'd never find release. But I've learned they are only seasons of time, each with its own challenges and lessons, helping me grow less anxious over time.

Are you stuck in a spot today? Does it seem the Lord has every door closed? Is every day dark? Every situation confining? That's not necessarily a bad thing. This is a tiny portion of life, a moment of time designed by God. It has a purpose, and your acceptance or rejection of it reveals your faith and often determines how long you remain stuck.

You can scream and cry, pout and feel sorry for yourself, shout in anger, and raise your fist, but that won't change anything. You are still grounded!

Or, you can look at the mercy drops around you and yield your spirit to the Word - your "times are in God's hand." The ebb and flow of life are in His control, and He "waters every moment." He knows exactly where you are and why. You aren't stuck - you are in a holding pattern.

The children do grow up, and you become a grandmother. You move on from hot dogs to steak, and the showers of blessing are an accumulation of little mercy drops that water your way to joy. So enjoy the stuck spot - it's God's doing. 

Take time to rest and appreciate where you are. Get in and learn the lesson designed for you, and let your faith grow. And when you get unstuck, remember to move forward with thankfulness and joy.

Hopefully, I'll write to you next week from over the pond and share the joy of my little stuck spot.