Nobody ever said the road ahead will be free of adversity. Instead of focusing on those moments that happen, take joy in the revelations and growth that come from overcoming the challenge. And, be all the more thankful for times in which you don’t experience them.
My middle daughter, Stella, fell ill Sunday night and it was pretty obvious that she was not going to school on Monday when we woke up. Along with a sore throat, she had a pretty rugged fever. It was no surprise to learn later in the day that she tested positive for strep throat.
If you’ve ever had that, or a high fever, you know it is usually accompanied with headaches, sore eyes, painful ears and downright overall crumbiness. I am very fortunate in the fact that I have an employer that allows me to work from home – but my computer was at the office and Stella didn’t have her doctor appointment until later in the afternoon.
So I buckled her in and took her to the office so I could quickly pick up my computer and some papers containing things I needed to do my work and took it home. Was still “to work” on time, I might add.
Throughout that journey, I was driving slower and doing everything I could to avoid bumps, sudden stops, hard turns, etc. Remember, I had a fever-ridden six-year-old in the back seat and I was doing my best to make her suffer a little as possible.
But even in all my carefulness, I sometimes could not avoid small bumps and an occasional big one from dips in the roadway or potholes that popped up without my being able to anticipate them ahead. After a few of those instances, Stella finally pleaded;
“Can you please try to not hit the bumps?”
I assured her that I was doing all that I could to make her ride as comfortable as possible. I also explained that sometimes, I just could not avoid every bump, crack or hole in the road. I promised her that I would do whatever I could to make the impact as painless or quick as possible.
Our walk with God is a lot like this. Though he could make all our roadways as smooth and comfortable as possible, He, in his wisdom, sometimes allows us to experiences the bumps and even the massive potholes in our lives.
Though I have yet to meet someone who claims to have ever celebrated the hitting of a literal pothole in the street, we are to appreciate those we experience in our lives. Sooner or later, we all experience adversity. That pothole or bump we just can’t avoid. Just as Paul had learned dependence upon the Lord for seeing him through his every trial and as he said in Romans 5:3–6,
“…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Stella indeed was a strong little trooper who showed perseverance throughout our commute. I doubt she celebrated or found “glory” in the bumps I did hit. And I know it’s hard to find the glory in those life bumps we encounter, but, as I explained to Stella, “you only feel the bumps I actually hit… imagine just how many there are that I’ve missed for you!”