Monday, September 8, 2008

A No-Good Day

It's been a no-good, terrible, awful day. And I really mean that. Stuff that you think would never happen...happened. And my heart is full and hurting and mournful... The day has been filled with the type of topics that I cannot blog, really, and it is the type of heaviness that makes it too hard to do so.

BUT...God has not changed. His Truth has not shifted. His goodness stands. His mercy is certain. And His grace...oh His grace is mine, so undeservedly mine.

I was struggling before today even began--you shoulda heard my prayer conversation last night (!)--and the dawn didn't make things any better. But I have hung my everything on the hook of God Himself, and His nature flows over me, blessing me even when I am hurt, lost, deceived, selfish, or grieved. I do not understand such kindnesses, but even in the midst of a no-good, terrible, awful day, I am thankful.

-J

I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.
So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.
Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope.
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
--Lamentations 3:17-32

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing. Even though your blog was very vague, I am sure that in some way the awefulness of your day had something to do with someone(s). As funny as this sounds, it is actually an encouragement to hear it from your side of the world. At times it feels like those kind of problems only happen to us here because we are living outside of our "culture". But when I really think about it, those kind of problems happen because there are people in the world. I was reminded that Jesus sweated tears as He prepared to go to the cross. He knew what He was going to and did it because of His love for us. How truly amazing that He is the One that we can call on when our days get hard. I am saying a prayer for you tonight. Love your far out sister

Rachel said...

I am sorry Alexander that you had a terrible, horrible no good, very bad day. I guess you should go move to Australia. If that comment does not make since - it is because you have not been teaching enough preschoolers. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It is about a boy that has a bad day. He decides that he should move to Australia because it is so bad. It is on of my favorites because it captures how the little things add up to make a really bad day and how kids deal with it.

I don't know why your day is bad, it does not sound like a bunch of little things, but some big things going on. I hope it is getting better and you don't move to Australia. You will be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I hope you DO move to Australia so I have a place to visit free on my way to see your sister.

No wait - I don't really want you gone all the time. I think you should simply purchase a vacation home instead.