Are the sayings you see on church signs for you?
I know this happens to everyone, you are driving past a church and you glance at the sign. Some times they are more serious and have a Bible verse and sometimes they are punny like “God answers knee-mail”. Either way, it’s a small reminder that God is always sending us messages, we just have to listen.
Last week on the way to church, the sign read “Faith makes it possible. It doesn’t make it easy.” Since I was on my way to adoration, I had time to ponder and have thought about it several times since. Just because I know it’s going to work out, doesn’t mean it’s not a struggle. I sat in church feeling grateful for where I am now and that I am not where I was a year ago.
Last year this time was a different scenario in my life. I had taken on a full time role at my company, but still had two part time jobs. After being underemployed for about 18 months, I was ready to have some steady income, and pay off some bills. I knew I was overextended but I accepted that in the short term so I could end up in a better place long term. It was a struggle learning the ropes in a new role plus juggling my other jobs.
At the same time, I was also in a rather difficult romantic relationship with someone who wanted me all to himself. That sounds really sweet, but since I work at home, I wanted to leave my home in my free time, explore the parks, be outside, see friends. Needless to say, it did not work out. That was a struggle for much longer than it needed to be because I tend to give people more chances than I should. Lesson learned.
Back in the spring I was wondering if I could still juggle all the parts of my full time job, or even if I wanted to, I was doing some soul searching and job hunting. I did not find another job, one found me where I already worked. My boss had a talk with me about restructuring and offered me a position almost exactly like the one I was looking for. Hmm, an opportunity knocking just as I need it? Woo hoo! Praise Jesus!
Faith made it possible, and it was not easy. That wasn’t the first time life has been difficult and it won’t be the last, but as a friend told me the other day- “Last year they were mountains, now they are small hills.” The “mountains” in my life are different now, and maybe I will conquer them a little faster from all the lessons I have learned. I am an optimist at heart and I know the “now” doesn’t last forever, and this too shall pass, perhaps like a kidney stone, but it will pass.
I have faith that better days are coming if they are not here already. So next time you see a church sign, what is it trying to tell you?
