Along for the ride

In the last month I've experienced so many ups and downs its a wonder I don't have whiplash! The cancer diagnosis was a downer, but our daughter got married and a more happy occasion I can't imagine. We had to put our 18 year old cat to sleep and I began to teach Sunday School (Adult) class again. See what I mean? Ups and downs.

I got to thinking about those highs and lows and how they affect they way we view things. When things are going well, we have a tendency to pat ourselves on the back for a "job well done" even though we may not have had anything to do with the positives. On the other side of that, when things aren't going so well, we get grouchy and blame someone else for our woes. We tend to see God that way, too. We might not remember to thank the Lord for all the marvelous blessings bestowed upon us and instead look to the Almighty to fix those things that are stumbling blocks to our smooth paths. We might even blame God for the things which seem to be afflicting us. I've heard more times than I can count, "why me, God?" A friend of mine frequently adds after that, "why not you?" It makes you pause for a minute when you hear him say that. He contends that no one is exempt from troubles or hard times. Even the best of Christians experience sadness and sorrow. How you cope with it, is what makes the difference.

I am reminded that God walks with us each day of the year. In sunshine and shadows, in rainbows and rain, whether we acknowledge his presence or not. He stands right next to you when you suddenly find a dollar in your pocket and when you hit your thumb with a hammer. And no, I don't believe he caused you to hit your thumb. I think God is with us in our life, not pulling the strings, but putting a hand out when we need to be steadied. I find comfort in the fact that the Lord's presence isn't dependent on my awareness of it. I think I would be in a much more lonely and desolate place without knowing that God is with me.

You know, Advent is coming up next week. When we begin to anticipate "God With Us"--Immanuel, coming as he always has. Let us take some time to appreciate the sunset, the crunch of leaves on the sidewalk, the good and bad things which happen to all of us. Yes, appreciate the bad as well as the good. For God is indeed with us all the time and who would you rather have along for the ride?