Let it go...

As a Christian my biggest struggle and letting go of things and handing them over to God. I like to think that this is common with others.  I wouldn't consider myself controlling at all ( Tyler might disagree:/) , but there is a part of me who likes things a certain way.  Maybe that's why I became a teacher.  I like for things to have order.  I like routine and schedule.  I like these things because then I know what to expect.  The older I get the more I realize this isn't realistic.  Sure, I can keep order in my classroom, and our home can run on a schedule and be organized. BUT I cannot control things that will happen.  One of my closest friends is fighting cancer.  I refuse to say she is sick with cancer, because by gosh she is a FIGHTER if I've  ever seen one.  I find myself praying for her and for other people in my life and in those prayers I tend to "ask" God for things.  That's normal right?!?! Then I find myself discouraged because whatever it is I asked for didn't happen.  It didn't happen soon enough for me.
This morning in church our preacher began his sermon with this "Prayer is one of those mysterious things in life.  Think about it.  We tend to ask for things.  Prayer wasn't designed so that we could ask God for things.  Instead prayer is our way of getting on the same page as God." HELLO Spencer... It hit me like a ton of bricks.  The sermon was based on Romans 8:26-30.  He went on to say " we as Christians must acknowledge our weaknesses and ask God for help.  Ask him for help in understanding what is going on in our lives.  In times when we are so desperate for words, when we are praying and can't even seem to form words, God already knows our thoughts.  Romans 8:26 says " The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." So like I've said so many times why do I worry? Why do I try to control it all? It is so comforting to know that no matter how bad it may seem and how speechless I may become, HE'S GOT THIS!!!
Verse 28 says "And we know tht in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Does this mean everything will be good, nope! BUT what it does mean is that the end result is good! God will reveal his good through whatever we may be going through.  The preacher gave a wonderful comparison.  We call it Good Friday.  Is it really good? Not for Jesus it wasn't, but the end result was so much more than good.  Verse 29 says " For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son..." In order for us to be an image of his Son it may be a painful process.  We must suffer. He did and we will too, but not for long. He wrapped up his sermon by saying "When we find ourselves in prayer not knowing what to say,know that glory awaits us." HOW FREAKING AWESOME is that!!!! I needed this. I needed to hear every single word.  None of this was new information, but I always need to be reminded that no matter how bad I want things to work my way... I am not in charge AND as hard/evil/sick  this world may seem at times heaven awaits me! A heaven with no cancer!!!!!! And for this I am so thankful!


XOXO
Liza's mom