Trials

The night before my daughter was due back from a short trip, I received a panicked phone call. “I lost my wallet. I’ve looked everywhere. I can’t get on the plane without ID.” After our call I yelled at God. “Her ID? It was a quick trip, why the hassle? Why the expense and stress? Could you not help, God?” It was a very personal anger, and I knew God didn’t need to solve this wallet problem. We are invited to call upon God’s name; if God can’t hear the frustrations of my heart, then who can? I called out to God with every bit of truth I had in me. And I felt some peace, not because the situation was solved but because I felt heard.

“Fix this!” I continued. “It’s selfish, I know,” I cried in anguish. A few minutes later I got another call. The wallet was found in the most obvious place and had been truly invisible in the hours before.

I praised God. Not just because the crisis had been averted and the problem solved. I praised God because God heard my hurt and frustration. God promised to be with me no matter the trials of this world.

Thank you, God, for hearing us and promising to be with us in all things. Amen. — KNM