Three times.
I am not even kidding with you all. Three times, my car got hit by people.
The first-time was a hit-and-run. My husband parked the car in a mall parking lot and when he returned to the parking garage there was a huge dent in the back.
The second time we were at the outlets. I got my daughter a little dress there and, when we got back, a huge football-sized dent was now a part of it.
The third time, my husband and kids were out. A guy reversed and put a hole right into the front bumper.
I drive around now with a triple-dented vehicle.
I’m not really sure how or why this is happening. I’m kind of wondering about it. . .
Are you in a situation where you are saying, “Why, God, why?”
Why am I here?
Why am I not out of this hole?
How come this is happening; it is not my fault?
For our family, we have to pay a lot of money to get the majority of these costs fixed.
Why, God?
1 Thess. 5: 18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
All? All things? How you give thanks when life is acting on you? When you feel like you’re the victim? When everything is deteriorating before your very eyes?
I couldn’t stop getting frustrated at the dents (and now the sunroof and trunk weren’t working too -grr…). That is. . . until my husband stopped me, as he said, “Kelly, you just don’t see it. What you see as demolition, is really God’s protection.”
Huh? It is?
He went on, “All of those hits could have been huge accidents. Our kids could have been hospitalized. The car could have been demolished. People could be in the hospital. But none of this happened. Sure, there were hit-and-runs and fender-benders — but, we are fine.”
He is right: We are fine. And, I realized: I’ve been acting wrong.
God has been protecting me all along. I just didn’t have eyes to see it. Sometimes it is easy to get so caught up in our misfortunes, we miss the picture of His greater protection.
How has God been protecting you? Where might you need to stop, and say, “Thank you, God”?
Prayer:
Father, it is easy to see what is coming against. Often, it is hurtful, painful or costly. We know when it hits. But, at the same time, will you help us see you in all things? So we can give thanks in all things? So many times you are keeping and protecting; helping and guiding; leading and loving us — even in the worst of times. Give us eyes to see you and a heart to understand what you are doing. Forgive us for all the thanks we have failed to rightfully give to you — the things we could not perceive. I thank you, although it is so hard, for my trials. In many ways, it is teaching me to rightly come to you, rely on you and find all my hope in you. This is good. You are good. I trust in you. I trust your plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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This is convicting this morning. I’ve had a series of small but frustrating happenings the last several days, and have been walking around with discontent, unthankfulness, and anger. It seems like it’s easier for me to trust God with the big trials of life than with frustrating circumstances that make no sense. But I have to trust that He allows them for a reason–maybe to help me realize my need of patience.
We went through a season with one of our mini-vans when I was sure we had an invisible “hit me” sign on the bumper. We were side swiped, bumped, and banged up, and it seems as if I spent days on the phone with insurance people, but, like you, we came through uninjured and had lots to be thankful for. This principle has so much room for application in other areas!
I love the prayer you shared. It is all 100% true and a great way to refocus our thoughts!
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Yes, I often get caught up in the misfortunes that I miss the picture of His greater protection. My husband also points that out to me. We’ve started to try to look for positive things in negative situations. Thank you for sharing.
A hard blessing to see, but yes! Praise Him! laurensparks.net
Such a great reminder. When we really do sit down and ponder things, we do begin to see God’s protective hand all around us, even when our world is covered in smoke or bumps. Praising Him for all the ways he protected your family and continues to protect mine!
A month ago I was walking back to my car in a parking lot and a lady hit my body with her car. I went down and thanks be to God she stopped and didn’t run over me. I walked away leaving some skin on her bumper but I was fine. It could have ended so differently. Your husband’s perspective is so wise.
Please give me my holy spirit to you Grace dent
l want to protecting my spirit and thanks Grace dent
Please l want to protecting my spirit