Finding Shade in the Desert

A few weeks ago we went camping with David's parents. We had a blast, like always! 

There was one day specific when I was trying to either change Gracelyn's diaper or put a sweater on her- I can't remember...honestly, knowing me,  I was probably trying to do both at the same time! Anyway, she was fighting me, pulling away and getting cranky with me but it had to be done. I finally got frustrated and said, "Grace, if only you knew that what I was doing was to help you and not hurt you, you wouldn't fight so much." 

Immediately, my mother-in-law chimed in, "...You know, Sarah, how many times does God say that to US daily?"

I was struck by those words and I laughed because it is so true. All the time. 

Right now, we're going through a new series at church called Walking With God in the Desert. You know, in life we go through some stinky stuff- things that make us tired and exhausted, things that we have no desire to do or go through. Kind of feels like we are walking in the desert sometimes. Alone, hot, hungry, tired and thirsty. Last week the focus was seeing Jesus as a tree in the middle of the desert- providing just enough shade and cool space to recharge before continuing on. 

If i'm being honest, there are many times when I am dealing with things that I don't want to deal with. There are times in my life when I am thirsty and tired...I don't want to keep walking in the heat but I know that when I trust in God and keep putting one foot in front of the other, I'm going to find my trees along the way- my cool shade to rest. I am going to find Jesus. I don't know about you but I find so much comfort in that promise. He is truly the promise fulfilled. Life is tough. motherhood, parenthood, marriage, being single, waiting, working, praying, longing. It's tough. If we only knew that these things were helping us and not hurting us, we would have such a different view on our situations.