Blessings
in the Back
By
Carolyn Hulliberger
“For
the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness
continues through all generations.”
Psalm
100:5 (NIV)
“Well, Lord, I got
here…late. I think that’s the best I can do today,” I thought, dropping into
the chair toward the back of the church. Emotional, physical, and spiritual
exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me. I started my God-conversation in my head
as I settled in, dumping on Him about all the issues going on in my life. It
seemed there were just too many demands, and too little of me lately.
From my vantage point
in the back, I stopped long enough to take a look around - - and was stunned at
the blessings of God represented in the families around me. There were newborn
babies; multiple generations of family worshiping together; cancer survivors;
teens sitting together - - not alone; accident victims recovering; children
brought to their forever families through adoption. I saw others in the midst
of struggles…how God was providing tangible help during joblessness, counseling
to struggling relationships, friendships to the lonely and hurting.
“See, I am doing a new
thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in
the wilderness
And streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
(NIV)
Looking back, I think I
was meant to be late to church that morning for a specific divine appointment
that could not be held in my normal center-of-the-room seat. That morning, I
could see some of the new things that God was working on. And in
focusing on what He was doing for others whose stories I knew, I could feel
assured that He was also doing the same for me…even if I did not perceive it.
GOING DEEPER:
1. There are 31
days in January. Can you list 31 “new
things” for the new year you see God doing for you or others you know?
2. Try sitting in
the back of your church service, and let God remind you of His faithfulness.
FURTHER READING:
Along
with caring for her husband and two children, Carolyn works as an insurance
representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome
group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.
