When one of my kids was younger, they played baseball, and as they got up to bat, I would say a prayer that their self confidence would be boosted by a nice hit. I might have said "good luck" by habit, but I was actually asking God for His help. I don't recall ever believing in good luck, since I knew that the one to go to was the one who could do anything, and that, of course, was God. Why not go straight to the top? When this same child was being wheeled into the operating room to have the bone in their arm set right, I didn't wish them luck, I went to the chapel and prayed. I knew I could put all of my faith and nervousness in God's hands, and that was the most I could possibly do. Luck played no part.
Every time my partner, my kids, or I go out, someone says, "be careful." Now, this is a longstanding phrase we are all conscious of until we get behind the wheel. I will say be careful, but in my mind, I ask God to protect whomever is leaving, and to get them where they are going and back safely. I am well aware that the words of wisdom of "be careful" are forgotten as soon as they close the front door. I also know God will not forget. As an example, one of my kids, after hearing their umpteenth "be careful", went out in their truck on a rainy night, went too fast around a sharp curve, and rolled over twice.
It was the midnight call all of us parents never want to get. Thank God, they weren't hurt, although the truck was totaled, and every window had been blown out. The truck and child arrived home two hours later in a flatbed. "Be careful" didn't cut it, but "Please God, keep them safe," sure did. Another child left the house and was told the old, "be careful," and proceeded to lose their tire going 65 on a highway, because their ball bearings snapped. Again, thank God, they were alright, remember, I asked Him to keep them safe.
Job interviews occur, and some may entail good money. Kids especially, get very excited about such happenings. Everyone tells them "good luck" before their interview. There I am, saying my prayers of, "Dear God, if this is meant to be, please let it happen." If it doesn't happen, I always know it wasn't meant to be.
I think we've all situations where "good luck, and be careful" just didn't hold true. I finally figured out in my early teens, that if something is not in my best interest, it's not going to happen, no matter how much I want it to, or how many "be careful" and "good lucks" anybody says. And the reason why? God knows what is best for me, and where I will be the most help. I don't always agree at first, especially when I was a young, stubborn, determined young lady, who could only accept what she wanted for an answer. However, I have had many experiences since then that have made me realize that God is at the helm, not me, and I'm here for the ride.
A whole group of people told me to "be careful" when I left the bar after the World Series. That didn't stop me from skidding on the wet ground in my vet, doing three 360's and hitting a tree. I wasn't hurt, but I never saw my vet again. I knew, if I hadn't been in that accident where I didn't get hurt, or hurt anybody else, I might have later on. Everything happens for a reason. And they are God's reasons. Once that is understood, life can become a lot less stressful.
We might have still wanted the nice car we ended up not being able to afford, even though when we left the house, we were told, "Good luck", but if we believe that God has His reasons for keeping us from a car that we would drive too fast, and too recklessly, it's just easier to accept. If we believe in God's goodness and grace, we don't have to worry so much, our faith tells us our lives are in God's hands, and what will be, is meant to be.
There's nothing appealing about going to jail or being sick with an illness, terminal or not, losing your home, getting into an accident, going bankrupt, or cutting your finger with the kitchen knife! Being careful and saying good luck, just didn't cut it. To know in our hearts that whatever we are going through, is needed in order for us to learn and grow, and prosper, and share our positive knowledge, is to be able to deal with life's problems on a healthier level.
We need to own our character flaws, and work on them. Anger, resentment, impatience, unreliability, and dependence on others are all traits that can be modified and can then inhance the quality of our life, and those around us. Blaming the system, or other people or things or situations, is never going to do any good to anyone's psyche or physical body. We have to take control of ourselves, and initiate others to take control of themselves, by our example. "Good luck" is not going to keep the well from running dry. "Be careful" is not going to help when you break your ankle falling off the steps.
Figuring out that you need to keep the lid on the well so it doesn't evaporate, and realizing that you haven't been very careful lately, and had you been, you wouldn't have fallen off the steps, could very well be the lessons we are meant to learn before the well becomes our homes and our ankle becomes something more serious. In God we trust. There's nothing more than that. We don't even have to say, "May God be with you." We know He already is.
Susan Thom is the mother of three children, two sons, 18 and 22, and a daughter 24. Writing calms her, and gives her a place to go by herself! Clears the head and gets it out. She lives in a rural area, with a lake and mountains, and her partner, and has loved writing since she was a child.
She certainly hopes you enjoy her take on life, and her style of communicating that in stories.
She has been on a journey of self discovery for twenty years, and has learned many things about the human mind, and how to maintain some semblance of calm and peace within.
If someone reads one of her stories, and relates to her feelings, and maybe gets a suggestion on how she dealt with them in a positive way, that would be the ultimate gift of her writing.
God is always with us. Always there to lend guidance and direction and support if we allow it.
Many people think God is a band aid type of being.....when they get into a tough situation they cry out "God help us!" They then hope that things will work out well because they paused and raised their voice to heaven.
But God is always with us. He believes in us even though many times we fail to believe in Him and his blessing and mercy. We just have to try a bit harder to realize that his care is with us always and his love unconditional.
» left by sue thom (1 year 130 days ago.)
hi janice,
thanks so much for reading and responding.
i think sharing our thoughts and dreams with God is like anything else, it takes practice, but once achieved, you've hit a home run.
my best regards,
and thank you for joing my fan club.
i truly appreciate it,
sue thom
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