“If there are wolves in the woods–expect to see wolves; and if there is God in this place–expect to see God.” Ann Voskamp
Living moment by moment in gratitude is foreign to me. But I’m practicing. I’m learning when circumstances rain down turmoil and my breath catches and my heart rate rises– to pause and give thanks. But sometimes, it’s not easy.
*****
A weekend morning in spring. Doors wide open, The Husband and I were up early working on projects outside. The grass still damp from dew and the day stretched out full of potential, I felt happy. This day, I didn’t need to choose joy, it was all around me, and bubbled up from somewhere inside.
A simple text message changed all that.
A daughter giving the news of her purse being stolen the night before while she was on a photo shoot. Not so earth shattering…but after estimating the contents, including the only key to her car which would need to be reprogrammed, the total loss went well into the hundreds.
This shouldn’t cause me stress., it’s really just a small thing.
But this daughter is trying so hard to start her own business so she can be home with her baby. She’s counting every single penny and financially simply can’t absorb this loss.
My heart pounded as I read the message. Anger flaring and mind racing I grasp for answers…how can we fix this? What can we do now to fix this?
I marched into the yard to tell The Husband. He shook his head and gave me a run-down of how to get a new key made.
“Do you want to call and tell her?” I shoved the phone at him.
“No.” Came the almost whispered reply. “We’re praying for her Robin, God is in control.”
Back to my work table set up on the back deck. The sun just starting to warm the cool morning air as I glued moss onto picture frames and tucked blue eggs into little birds nests. My hands productive while my mind spiraled and my heart sank deep in a thick mire of worry. I looked at The Husband busy in the yard, he must be worrying too. Or was he?
“God is in control” his words echoed and my focus shifted ever-so-slightly. Do I really believe that God is in control? Do I really believe that God is in this situation? Believe that He is at work in my daughter’s life? Believe that He is answering my prayers?
Apparently, I didn’t.
Not sure exactly how to will myself into believing, I bent my knees and asked forgiveness.
And then…like I’m learning to do, I offered thanks. Thank you for answering prayers…you are working in her life just as surely as you are working in mine. Thank you.
*****
And on my gratitude list…
#452- Learning that if God is in this place–I can expect to see God.
*****
This was a very small thing but that’s how I learn, one small thing…then another. I have to practice. Over and over…practice.
And guess what? Three hours later, her purse was returned! All the contents still there…
*****
How do you cope with daily circumstances that steel your joy?
clarice says
April 21, 2011 at 5:32 amIsn’t funny how you can feel so close to God, so grounded in Him and then the smallest thing can blow all that up. Then you question your faith and walk with God. It is ofcourse a lie, thank goodness for God’s grace and love for us. Clarice
bill (cycleguy) says
April 21, 2011 at 5:44 amAbsolutely fantastic post Robin. I love to hear what God is doing in your life! But I love the truth that you have stated here. Now…if only I….. 🙂
Susan says
April 21, 2011 at 6:33 amWow Robin! Thanks for that story, it was a great way to start my day….
Susan
Cindy @ Custom Comforts says
April 21, 2011 at 6:37 amI’m only 100 pages into this book and already it is changing my life, my heart and my mind. I think it will take the rest of my days to practice and learn, but what joy and adventure lie in the journey. Thanks for sharing.
Cindy
Julie Garmon says
April 21, 2011 at 7:26 amI look so forward to Thursday mornings on your blog. This post hit home, as always. It’s like you’re laying it out for us. Here’s the truth. Here’s how to change. Do you want it bad enough to do what feels totally opposite of the norm? Will you let go and trust Me?
Spoke to me big time, my friend. And thank You, Lord, for bringing the purse home.
Love to you and yours.
Heidi Meyer says
April 21, 2011 at 7:44 amWow! It is moments like those that blow me away. I can relate to having to remind myself of who is in control. Thank you for sharing Robin – such posts give so much joy and depth to my day. 😉
Vicky says
April 21, 2011 at 7:50 amI was just reading that part too! Yay for getting her purse back! Isn’t that the hardest lessson? To know when to stop going into “parent” mode. But I too don’t always think to just pray and leave it there. This is a wonderful example of how to do it! I think I am living through a month of “toast” and found myself also praying to God in front of my strong willed child. It sure calmed the raging storm, but its a work in progress!
Gina says
April 21, 2011 at 8:17 amAhh Robin, how I have missed your writing…I’ve been off line for a month with computer issues. I love this post. God has been speaking to my heart about gratitude and I haven’t even read the book yet. He pointed out Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise will continually be in my mouth.” I put it on my fridge and have been thinking and meditating on it all week. Our previous worship leader used to say, “His praise does not hinge on our circumstances.” So so true! I’m guilty of not feeling very praiseful if it is a cloudy day sometimes. That’s pretty pathetic. I am looking forward to reading the book after my daughter’s wedding in June. I want to read it and savor it when I am not distracted. 😉
Gina says
April 21, 2011 at 8:25 amAhh Robin, how I have missed your writing…I’ve been off line for a month with computer issues. I love this post! God has been speaking to my heart about being thankful and praiseful and I haven’t even started reading the book yet. He pointed out Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” I wrote it and put it several places and have been thinking and meditating on it all week. Our former worship leader used to say, “His praise does not hinge on our circumstances.” So so true! I’m guilty of not being very praiseful on a cloudy day sometimes. I know…how pathetic! 🙁 Thanks for sharing so much about your journey to a grateful heart. I can’t wait to read the book this summer after my daughter’s wedding. I want to read it and savor it when I am not so distracted. 😉
janet metzger says
April 21, 2011 at 9:08 amDear Robin,
Your post really struck a cord in me. This is exactly the problem and question I have with the whole idea of praying. Don’t get me wrong…I am a very religious person and absolutely and whole heartedly believe in Jesus Christ. With that said, here is my question:
I was taught that the lord is present in all parts of our lives and always with us. That we should turn our lives over to him and trust him to know what is good for us.
If that is the case (and I believe it is) then to me praying is like saying I don’t have trust in his plan for me. I am telling him what is best. That I know better than he the direction my life should go.
When my sister was dying of cervical cancer, everyone was lighting prayer candles and telling me they were praying for a recovery. I knew Jesus was fully aware and in charge of the situation. He wanted my sweet sister to be with him. Who was I to ask for something different?
Does this make sense? I hope so and I totally understand your husbands response.
Be well and I am happy for your daughter
Janet xox
Robin says
April 22, 2011 at 5:26 pmJanet…I understand what you’re saying, I think I’ve probably thought something similar in the past…
But here’s how I see prayer…
It’s about relationship. God’s and mine. I can’t have a relationship with Him if we never talk. He commands me in scripture to pray. So in addition to relationship it’s obedience.
Since today is Good Friday I think of Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, he asked that the cup be taken from him…but then he said: “not my will but yours”.
I believe it honors God to trust Him with my real desire about a person or situation. (Please Lord heal me…) and at the same time letting go of my will (but not my will but yours Lord…)
My prayer about my daughter wasn’t in the least about her purse…it was about my heart. I had to let go…to choose trust…choose to believe He is working in all things.
So to me the miracle wasn’t that she got her purse back … it was that God gently brought me to a place of trust.
You sound like you have such great faith my friend. That’s such a gift…(Lord I believe…help my unbelief is so often my prayer.)
Love to you and yours and thank you for sharing with me…xo Robin
Natalie Johnson says
April 21, 2011 at 9:30 amWow! This post goes so well with the Bible study I am doing right now (Believing God by Beth Moore). I am only one week into it and have already learned so much. It is so strange how even when we know how powerful our God is, we don’t actually EXPECT God to help us when we pray to him. So, why are we praying if we don’t really expect an answer? Then when we get an answer, we don’t give him the glory for it. Matthew 9:29 says ” What we ask will be done if we believe” Seems like a simple task! I have read over and over again this week about people who were healed in the Bible and it seems that on each occasion the Bible says that they were healed because of their faith. Think of the things that could happen in our lives if we just have faith and EXPECT an answer!
Tom says
April 21, 2011 at 9:35 amLike Julie, Thursday mornings are full of expectation of catching a glimpse of where God has your heart. Crazy busy but it hit me, ah it’s Thursday gotta go see what is on Robin’s heart! Wonderful! Funny you wrote this as early in week I remember writing that I “expected” this to be a special Holy Week and He too has exceeded my expectations. Love and blessings to you and the Husband this Holy Week.
Paula Chaffin says
April 21, 2011 at 12:33 pmRobin,
We so forget that they are not really ours in the first place. They are on loan to us. We are to raise them up to be the best men and women after God’s own heart. It sounds like she got a really good foundation. I have a hard time, like you, remembering that they really aren’t mine in the first place. When my son got married last May, at the age of 26, he said “momma do you think that when I say I do that it will really hurt when they cut the cord?”
We do love our children but in the end we have to trust them to God.
I am so thankful that she got her purse back all in one piece. That is a blessing.
On a separate note, I did a take off on your Sweetie Pie shower and we are doing a Nighty Night Sweetie Pie and everyone is bringing books. My husband made them some smaller book shelves and we are going to fill the bookshelves. I also bought her some custom name plates through Etsy to scatter on the table.
I so appreciate the time you take to be a blogger. I love your talent and enjoy your snippets of life that we get to see into.
Enjoy your Holy Week
Robin says
April 22, 2011 at 5:29 pmPaula…my children have been used over and over and over to remind me that ultimately I’m not in control…
What your son said makes me smile…something about a mama and her boy…
And the Night Night Sweetie Pie Shower is just WONDERFUL!!!!! I so love that idea!
I’d sure love to see a few pictures!
love to you my friend…Robin
Tanya says
April 21, 2011 at 12:43 pmRobin, thank you for being willing to use the gift God has given you to inspire, and motivate others to check our hearts. I really enjoyed your post today, and have posted it to my FB page. Have a wonderful weekend celebrating our risen Lord!
MarieElizabeth says
April 21, 2011 at 8:09 pmIf it were easy, it wouldn’t be called faith. 🙂 Hooray for you and your patience to believe and hooray for her and the good person who returned her purse.
Carol Spears says
April 21, 2011 at 11:12 pmThank you for sharing!!! Isn’t it crazy that we are so amazed when He does something wonderful for us? I’m getting the book and getting to work on it soon.
Pinky says
April 22, 2011 at 10:01 amHOw lucky you are to have Mike to SHOW you God is there. I envy that.
Pinky says
April 22, 2011 at 10:04 amI missed the queation. How do I cope? Not very well. I TRY to remember to be grateful, and positive but…..sometimes it is SOOOO hard. XO
Tiffanie Jones says
April 22, 2011 at 6:18 pmwow. Ok I haven’t shared a whole lot with everyone about my journey through this book. UGH! Massive over haul. I am so greatful for you sharing this book with me. It is amazing how ungreatful I have been. My children do not need to see that. I am really making a point to be greatful. As I go through this greatful journey, I have notcied a more patient and happier me.