In His Time…

I am always astounded when I receive a Word from an unlikely source. It’s not that I am really surprised; it just comes when I need it the most (usually when I am thinking). Isn’t that just like the Lord to send you a message when you least expect it? 

I am blessed to have great friends who talk me off ledges, who laugh and giggle with me, who call just to check on me, and who give great insight and wisdom whether I ask for it or not. These are my friends, my sisters, my comrades in arms. In looking at my students today, I see those who are happy and content, some who are tired, and some who are alone without friends. I often wonder what goes through the minds of my students. Are they Christians? Do they feel forgotten, forsaken, ignored? Do they feel hated and unheard? Do they cry out for a different life? For help? For some type of acknowledgment?

What about our elderly population? Do they sometimes wrestle with the same feelings about family, friends, and life? Their thoughts may be a little different as they have had an entire lifetime to make friends, form relationships, know Christ. But they are now in a different spectrum of life where family and dear friends have or/are departing from this earth. Do they feel that they are getting what they need mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually? Do they feel ignored, forgotten, forsaken? It’s interesting how the cycle of life works. In both of the age groups, the question is are their needs being met? More than that, are they believing that their needs will be met?

Today, a teacher sent me a message from Proverbs 31 entitled “God’s Provision in Our Moment of Greatest Need.” This title encompasses so many scenarios and groups of people. I think about my moments of need, feelings of isolation, and being misunderstood, and how the Lord has answered. My mother always likes to say, “He may not come when you want Him to, but He always comes right on time.” In her way, she is telling me that it is not in my time because I feel like I need something at the moment, but when He does grant me what I need, it will be in His time and right on time. Yes, I know she’s right! Philippians 4:19 says, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Do we believe that our needs will be supplied or do we just go through the motions? How many times have you taken a situation into your own hands only to realize that you were rendered powerless? However, there are times when the Lord uses us and the gifts we have been given to be a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world. We must have a spirit of discernment and hear God’s voice before we dive into a situation.

So when I look at my students wrestle with their contentment, discontentment, joy, loneliness, and plethora of emotions, my hope and prayer is that they too know that their needs can and will be met. (Let go of the pride and cry out to the Lord). It is the same for the elderly. As a woman, a daughter, a sister, an educator, a friend, a nurturer, and an encourager, I am reminded today that through it all, it is not my job to take matters into my own hands or correct behaviors or make situations better. It is not my job to take up an offense just because. It is not my job to challenge bad decisions, divert inevitable consequences, or teach the hard life lessons. It is not my job to change personalities or try to fix that which is broken. It is also not my job to be judge and jury or be critical. My only responsibility is to pray and love the young and the elderly through their season of life. I am not a handler or a fixer. My responsibility is to move out of the way, and “Let Go and Let God” handle that which is His in His time.

Copyright ©️ 2021 by CrayDawg, Inc.