God Notions

One of my favorite scripture verses is in Joel. I posted on this in my very last entry, Tuesday, November 2, 2021.  

Joel 2:25 “I will restore what the locust has eaten.”

I learned a lesson just this past Saturday, November 23, 2021, and I wanted to share. My husband, Bill, must work this Thanksgiving, so we celebrated with family on Saturday. We rose early and began preparing our meal. As Bill peeled apples, he reminisced about past holidays, and hurtful memories started to surface. His demeanor changed, and he became irritated and sad. In turn, my attitude changed, and I got huffy and went to take my shower. As the hot water ponded my back, I began to remember. I brought up past hurts from as far as forty years ago, and not only did this bring on the hurt and anger, I got even madder at Bill!

Please tell me; we are not the only couple/ family that has experienced this destructive cycle. For those of you who have not, I will tell you there was a dark cloud over the whole day between me and my beloved. We went to bed angry.

Why do we go back? We go back and pick the scar until it hurts, and the cycle of healing or burying begins all over again. It seems that any time of the year will do; still, the holidays and family gatherings are prime time for dredging up past and nearly forgotten pain, anger, and mistreatment.

The following day, God impressed upon my heart that He had indeed restored what the locust had eaten. The very gift of my husband is as much a part of God’s restoring me, as me being a gift to Bill and a part of his restoration. I realized that going back negated the healing God had done in our lives. Those hurts are in the past. Maybe the circumstances haven’t changed much or at all, but God has changed us. The healing did not come from God changing the past but changing the present.

We choose. We make a choice, maybe not intentionally, but we decide to go back or stay in God’s presence. We can remain in His presence of Peace, Calm, Wisdom, Love, Compassion, and Empathy.

We have the freedom to choose to be in the past, where pain and hurt live. Or we can opt for the present where Christ lives and has slain the sin that causes our damage and separation.

Always, but this holiday season especially, I pray for you and myself. That we stay in the present with our Father and Lord, remembering our having been changed, healed, forgiven, and restored.

He makes all things new.

Father,

You are sovereign over all things.

Not one detail happens without Your knowledge.

Help us to trust in Your timing, healing, and restoration.

When we turn and look at the past, help us to turn quickly back to You.

Please help us; that our thoughts, words, and actions reflect our acceptance and love for Your beautiful Son and our Savior, Christ Jesus.

Amen