Today’s scripture: Romans 8:18-19 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
My son Brody began to walk, he would take several steps then wobble and fall to the floor. Sometimes he would fall a bit too hard for his liking and he would cry in pain when his head would hit the floor. After a few seconds of soothing he was ready to go again. We would repeat this process several times a day while he was getting the hang of putting one foot in front of the other.
When he first began to take some steps I hovered over him like most nervous parents do. I was walking close behind him trying my best to anticipate a tumble before it happened. That meant that on several occasions I would reach out to grab him when he was in the process of restoring balance on his own; he let me know that I was interfering. He would pull away from me so that he could take off again. I learned quickly that the best thing I could do was to let him figure it out on his own, bumps and all. As much as I hate watching him take a tumble, I do so because I want him to learn on his own.
This image of me and my son reminds me of the way God lives in relationship with us. As our scripture for today reveals, our sufferings of this present time, our falls and wobbles, can be an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed in us. God walks with you as you slowly put one wobbly foot in front of the other, sometimes crashing to the ground; but God cannot intervene to stop the crash because this is your opportunity to restore balance for yourself. It’s okay to cry and wail after the crash and to know that when you do you will be comforted by the loving God who hovers about. Then, when you are ready, get back up, balance yourself, and take off again.
Who knows, maybe my son will grow up to be world class runner; to do that he first has to learn how to walk by suffering through the falls. Just like I wait to see who he will be, “all of creation waits with eager longing” for the revelation of you learning to walk and run as a child of God’s! There is glory yet to be revealed to you!
Thought for the day: What suffering are you experiencing in this present time? Can you envision God as a loving parent hovering about, cheering for you to restore your own balance?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.