New Beginnings Bring New Opportunities

 

I recently read a story about a woman whose house burned down and she lost everything. Within a short period of time she was able to say it was the best thing that ever happened to her. Her reason: she was able to start over – a new beginning.

That is sort of how I feel about losing both my computers within four days of each other. This is not something most of us would wish on anyone, and I certainly never expected that it would happen to me, but I’ve learned a lot and now just a few weeks later I find myself being grateful for this opportunity for growth.

Like most of you, I’m not someone who goes around looking for opportunities to grow, since it usually means difficulty in some area of my life. I remember as a new believer praying for patience and finding myself waiting in every long line at every store for months.

One of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes is: “We are not doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

View from my bedroom window in the fall

I know this is true for me in many areas of my life. I don’t actually say it, but I sure think it when I see difficulty looming in my near future. This year I’ve already had a couple of challenging opportunities for growth and I see a couple more just peeking over the horizon.

Since it’s Thanksgiving time, I’ve decided to be thankful for these new growth experiences I’m going to be having. I’m not quite embracing them, but I want to. Last night, laying in bed with thoughts rushing through my mind, I stopped to thank the Lord for the struggles He is preparing for me. I often remember Mary’s words in Luke 1:38, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

After I thanked the Lord, that is what I said, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” I’m realizing that I will face these things whether I want to or not. My choice is, will I allow them to make me better or bitter?

I’ll close with these words of Nancy Leigh DeMoss: “True joy is not the result of having everything I want but of gratefully receiving exactly what God has given me.”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope your day is filled with the joy and fellowship of family and friends.

Still finding Joy in the Journey,

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