A Hopeful Perspective

Life is overwhelming. I think wherever you are, we all have circumstances that simply overwhelm us. I don't think life was meant to be that way. But here I am, the queen of worry and fretting.
This past week I was coming home from teaching at school and as I was coming upon the Swiss Mission gate (that we have to get out and open and close) I thought to myself, "Lord, it sure would be nice if you could have someone go open that gate for me." Not a soul was in sight. As I approached the gate, out came a man from the mechanic shop, hustling to get the gate before I got out of my car. I thought, "did I say that out loud?" No. God hears even the simplist of prayers right from our heart. I found myself in awe of such a simple, minute prayer answered.
I proceeded on and went to our weekly ladies Bible study. We are going through a Beth Moore study on Daniel. So awesome. (I am amazed at the woman and the depth and application she puts into her studies. O.k. that is a side note.) We studied this week about the courage it took for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to stand up to the king and then we discussed how God can answer our prayers...AND EVEN IF he does not deliver us - he is still in control. He just might deliver us right into his arms.
Then we went to prayer meeting in the evening and a pastor who is here on a team gave a brief devotional. I don't think I have ever heard such a pointed, concise devotional that hit home so clearly to me. He was talking from Lamentations. LAMENTATIONS! You might think, what could he have possibly said from Lamentations. Yah, that's what I was thinking too. His point was that in ministry, we might have the best, purest, most honorable motives and intentions. Essentially, our heart is in the right place -- but the result is miscontrued, or we are attacked despite our sincerity, or we just didn't do enough. That's the enemy. Let your heart ache be known to God. Lament. And then praise him BECAUSE he gives enough grace for every day. His mercies are new every morning. Tomorrow is not the same as today and he will refill your cup with enough grace for tomorrow when tomorrow comes.
I don't know about you -- but that encourages me. I'm looking at a seemingly impossible school situation. In the scheme of fiery trials this is pretty basic but the fact that it involves my kids makes it feel monumental. Nothing seems to be working out right. I do not want my good intentions to offend anyone but I want what is best for my kids. In this one day I was reminded that God hears me right down to the petty details, he hears my lament (my fretting) and reminds me that He will give me enough grace for each day. If I am asked to homeschool - he will give me the grace. If we are asked to keep our kids in the academy and me keep driving and maintaining a presence for my kids there - he will give me the grace for that too. He will provide for Judah whichever scenario we have. It feels so complicated and overwhelming to me - but the big picture is that it's going to be o.k. God has the plan and is orchestrating it even as I type this. I'm so glad because I don't have the answers.
I am so grateful for the reminders he gave me that one day that have stuck with me now many days later.