Terrell

Psalm 37

For many, it’s been a difficult year. This letter from Terrell, an engineer caught up in a wave of corporate layoffs, shares a more personal view. “I do not believe I ever formally thanked anyone for the thoughts and prayers on our behalf. Please pass along my gratitude to those responsible. This past year has been a year of change and I thank the Lord for the loving support our church has shown me and my family.”

“Not always did I put my trust in the Lord as I should. As you know, I lost my job. I set my personal goal to find gainful employment one month later. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Each morning, I knew the phone would ring with someone offering me a job. Each evening when no call came, I became increasingly cynical and angry.”

“One Sunday, you talked about grace. You used the analogy of a father teaching his young son to ride a bike. As they rode along, the father would follow behind with his hand on the seat so the child would not fall. At some point the father would let go and the child would ride on his own. I thought of that sermon many times. I wondered… where was God’s grace in my situation?”

“I went to church every Sunday, put my trust in Him and tried to raise my children as God instructed. Now we were about to lose everything we worked so hard to achieve. Where was the grace? I felt as if I was the young child and my father let go of the seat. I was successful in riding to the end of the street and as I turned my bike around no one was there. I was left to ride back down the street on my own looking for help. By now months had passed and I was failing to see any grace.”

“I am goal oriented and success driven. I was accustomed to putting together a plan with a specific outcome in mind and executing that plan. But the situation I was dealing with was out of control. I would not see and appreciate what God was doing until later.”

Can you understand the pain expressed in this letter? Maybe this would be a good time to read one of God’s promises: “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24) You may stumble but God will hold your hand and help you stand up again.

Terrell continues: “In the midst of this turmoil and uncertainty God sent angels along our way. Later, I would realize that angels come in all shapes, sizes, and disguises. Through the help and support of these caring individuals and organizations, the mess we were in did not turn into a nightmare. They helped me piece jobs together until something permanent came along. I will always be grateful to them.”

“My life has changed. My current job pays a fraction of what I made earlier, so we are making adjustments in our lifestyle. But we stayed in the same house and remained close to our children to see them grow into adults. Now I understand why I never saw the father when I looked down the street. God had not deserted me but was sitting on the front porch watching and blessing us with the grace only a loving God can give. Grace, you spoke of that Sunday morning.” -- Terrell

Psalm 37 continues: “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along the path. He will honor you.” (34) Don’t give up! Look up! God will be there!

Prayer Challenge: Read Psalm 37 again and see how much God loves you.

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