In All the Unknowns

Almost everyday something happens that we don't expect. It could catch us totally off guard and change our day completely, or it we could just roll with it. Maybe it's something simple like falling or a quick change of plans. Those things might catch us off guard, but we roll with them.

Some things though, are harder to get back up with. We don't understand why they happen, and it can take days, weeks, months, or even years sometimes to get back to normal. It could be losing a loved one, getting a serious injury, or facing a big change. Take for example, this virus that has spread all over the globe.

I remember back in January, at our school we looked it up, and a lot of sources—including our school—said it was fake news. And that seemed easy to believe, it wasn't as bad then. And somehow, just a couple of months or even weeks later, things exploded. It spread to the States, and Europe, and Africa. Big events like the NBA were cancelled, and eventually schools closed too. And now it's April. I don't keep up with all of the news, and I don't want to make a statement without proof, so only God knows whether things are getting better or worse. This whole thing could blow over by May, or it might last until December, or even next year. It's hard to tell.

Anyhoo, with all of this chaos and all of the unknowns, questions start popping up in our heads. Why would God let this happen? Is God really in control? Does God have a reason for all of this?

I want to use an analogy that my dad used, and I think it's a really good thing to think about.

Let's say I'm a mom and I have a baby. At some point my baby is going to need shots, right? So when I go and take my baby to the doctor, I'm holding him in my arms, and I'm letting the doctor stick a needle into him, right? I'm letting the doctor administer a shot to him. Now, my baby will probably cry and scream, and he's probably thinking, Why is my mom, who's supposed to love me and care for me, letting me feel this pain? Why is she letting this happen to me? 

As my baby's mom, I am letting him feel this pain because I know what's best for him. There is a reason that I'm doing this. But even if I tried to explain that to my baby, he wouldn't understand. He wouldn't understand my plan and my reason. 

Think about that. God has a reason that he allows us to go through things. Even if we don't understand it, he does. We just have to trust that he's in control, he knows what he's doing, and he has a plan. 

I hope when you go through hard times, and even now, that you'll think back to this and remember. God has a plan, he has a reason, and your tears and suffering are NOT wasted. 

Love, Gracie :)