Finding Jesus in a Hard Season--
Three Surprises in Three Weeks
Intro:
So many negative words start with the letter “D”— disease, discouraged, depressed, disappointed, dismay, distraught, despair. I noticed them because I’ve felt a lot of them this past month, battling this infection.
How do we stay grounded when outside events threaten our well-being? What about when our immediate prayers aren’t answered the way we want? These are the times that stretch our faith, where doubts and uncertainties clash with our trust in a good God.
During hard seasons, we can be tempted to wonder if God notices or cares. (Does God see what I’m going through? Why would He allow these problems? Can I trust Him to care for me through this? And can I keep my eyes on Him when my emotions spiral downward? )
I don’t have all the answers, but I know working through these questions is important, as is keeping our eyes on Christ. And I found there are a lot of “H” words to counter the “D” ones: happy, healthy, hopeful, helpful, heartfelt, heaven, holy.
As I remind myself to keep my “Eyes on Christ”, I thought I’d share this story about how I’ve seen Jesus at work over the past month:
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb. 12:2, NIV
Finding Jesus in a Hard Season
I bustled around, grabbing my computer and lap desk, preparing to settle in and write during my appointed weekly writing time with my out-of-state friend, Suzy. Just as I sat down, my phone played its melodic ringtone. It was Louise from the Auburn Point Greenhouse, two miles away.
“Are you or someone else at home? I’m about to make a delivery and wanted to make sure I could leave it.”
“For us? Yes, I’m home right now.” But why are we getting a delivery? I wondered, thinking it must be a mistake.
“I’ll be there shortly,” I heard.
A few minutes later, her van turned into our drive. I unlocked the storm door and propped it open with my shoulder. Louise opened the side door of the van, then emerged with a large, beautiful, cellophane-wrapped planter.
“Oh my heavens, is that for me? Who would send this?” I questioned again.
“There’s a card enclosed,” she assured me. Louise handed off the heavy gift and scurried back to her van. I wish now that I’d invited her inside while I unwrapped it, to share my surprise and delight.
I untied the ribbon and pushed the cellophane down. The beautiful planter held several different potted plants, a small white orchid, petite pink roses, and other fresh flowers. It was gorgeous.
Quickly, I grabbed the envelope and pulled out the card. “Jesus stopping by to remind you He loves you!” Signed “Suzy” — my writing partner from states away, the very one I was writing with this morning! What?!?
“Suzy!” I called her immediately, touched by this grand gesture. “I just got these beautiful flowers delivered — an entire planter, in fact! Wow! You shouldn’t have! Oh my goodness!”
Suzy laughed, and I could picture the twinkle in her eyes. “I’m so glad they arrived while you were home. I didn’t think they’d come until the afternoon.”
“Well, they’re really beautiful! Let me send a picture,” and I fumbled with my camera while still on the phone.
“I know you’ve been dreading your dental surgery tomorrow, and I didn’t want you to feel alone. I told Louise I wanted some plants that would last.”
“Well, she delivered! Do you see the picture? It’s lovely — and so kind of you to care that much. Thank you!”
We hung up and got on with our writing. I fought the urge to carry the lovely planter around everywhere I went. Suzy knew all too well that the closer the day of my oral surgery crept, the higher my dread and anxiety climbed. How kind that she thought to send flowers the day before and remind me that Jesus cares!
One week after oral surgery, while still managing pain and eating soft foods, I came down with chills, a scratchy throat, and congestion. Rats — this would be really hard to handle on top of the tender hole in my gum.
Day by day, the congestion and inflammation worsened. I couldn’t breathe or sleep, my energy plummeted, and I battled this infection in my sinuses with multiple medications. I needed to cancel all my usual activities to stay home and recover. My mood was sinking fast.
That weekend, my husband attended our small group without me, but later returned with another surprise.
“Here, Renee gave a copy of this picture she painted to all of the ladies. This one’s for you!”
“Oh…my goodness, it’s lovely!” I exclaimed. “What a beautiful picture — Renee is so talented!” And perfectly timed to cheer me up, I thought between coughs, as I took in the image of Jesus carrying the lamb.
Three weeks out from the surgery and two weeks into this illness, I still felt despair creeping about, trying to find a foothold. Eyes on Christ, I admonished myself — my new mantra for digging out of gloom.
I forced myself to take my stuffy head and cough outside to see some sunshine. Surprisingly, I found a handwritten card awaiting me in the mailbox. “One day at a time…” it reminded me, sent by my friend Nancy from our writing group. How thoughtful that she took the time to do that! I brought it inside and set it on my desk.
Three times in as many weeks, Jesus used friends to remind me I was on His radar and never alone.
That’s the unexpected blessing I’ve found down here in the valley — in the hard seasons when I’m deliberately keeping my eyes on Christ, I find I’m also more open to seeing Him at work.
You see, the valley doesn’t just test our faith. It trains our eyes.
“Eyes on Christ!” and we will find Him in the valley with us.
“Therefore, we do not lose heart… For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Cor. 4:16-18, NIV
For Worship:
Seth Schleuter’s new song seems perfect for this week—“Valley of Worship.”
*Photo by Ranier Ridao on Unsplash
**Scriptures: HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Such a wonderful article, Jen. I thank God with you for his special gifts, just when you needed them. The painting of Jesus holding the lamb is such a treasure. 😍 I hope you are recovering and feeling better now! I have had gum surgery in the past and am just getting over RSV- I can’t imagine having both things at the same time! Makes me even more grateful for God’s kindness to you. ❤️
I love what was on the card for your planter that Jesus just stop by to tell you he loves you! It makes me think of when my spring flowers start popping open that it is his wonderful gift to us! I am also so very happy that you enjoyed my painting! God had me paint it for a reason!