Wonder

Have you ever looked at someone and truly wondered, "What are they thinking?" Each of us walks through each day and may project our thoughts and feelings upon others, without even realizing it. We are all experiencing the same bucolic day, the same storm, the same hike, or the same life change, so our inner thoughts and views can't vary that much, right?  They could not be more different. I may enjoy the sunshine and warmth, and the person next to me may be reliving the worst day of their lives by the memories startled into the presence by the sights or smells before them. In the same way, I may see a problem with a solution that seems very straightforward, but no one can even consider the possibility. How can it be?

God has designed each person with differing strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives which allows us to communicate with others in a variety of ways. To really speak to someone's soul and make personal connections, that others may not. What a blessing, and yet, what a frustration! You know, when you are speaking plainly (or so you think) to someone, only to have the blank stare reflecting you are not communicating anything. Or being given the list of 20+ reasons your ideas are ridiculous. It's like living in the Twilight Zone, and there is no way of escape the confusion tunnel. What to do? We can't make someone change perspectives. We can't force another person to act in a specific way. We can't alter consequences and outcomes. We can give it to God.

"All we can do is pray." All we can do? All we can do! We can exercise the privilege of laying it at the hands of God. The Creator. Sovereign King. Lord. Why wouldn't we take it to Him? Why do we take it to Him, just to snatch it back up? Do we really want the answer? Are we willing to wait for answer? Even if the answer is not what we want?   Do we really trust He will answer?  Do we trust enough to wait for the answer, whatever the answer is? Will I have to change my position? Do I have the faith to KNOW He will answer?  His response might mean, I don't know as much as I claimed. I don't have the control I think I should have. I am not invincible. I may be wrong. (No warm fuzzy, self-esteem building here.) BUT, if I lift those bucolic days to God in gratitude,  God can  use me to share that gratitude in the everyday, with others who can't see it.  If I surrender the storms of life to God, imagine how He will calm them, when I wait on His timing and look for His guidance. No frustration. No arguing. Just peace. His peace. His guidance. His turning of hard hearts or stubborn minds, even mine.  His strength in uncertainty. That is a promise we can count on!

Proverbs 3:5-8