Day 41 of 4: No Room (12/17/12)

Day 41 of four more years (originally posted on Facebook on December 17, 2012)

Day 41 of 4 more years:

"No room." "Sorry, maybe next time." "I didn't get the reservation, and no, I don't have any suggestions." These are words of disappointment, discouragement, frustration and common words, too. But imagine you are Joseph, gently leading your very pregnant wife to Bethlehem. And at God's commands, too. Can't you imagine he was a little bit annoyed? I can put some thoughts in here: "Great, Lord, I have done exactly as you instructed and here we are, right on time, and what? No where to stay? She is about to have the baby. Help us!" None of those comments are in the scriptures, but Joseph was human after all. Just imagine it. The faith it took! But God had a plan, a perfect plan, a place for Jesus to be born in safety which fulfilled the scriptures that others could come and see, worship and report of the Messiah's birth. I was just imagining Jesus birth in a hotel room. It just wouldn't have been the same. All the shepherds with dirty feet, tromping into the inn, the Wise Men and all their animals and "stuff," angels flying overhead could not have as easily looked down from above. God's plan was just perfect, as always!

Today when we one up against a road block, a "no vacancy" sign, or have to go to the back-up to our back-up plans, what do we do? Here are some I practice: complain (of course), whine (naturally for me), look around at everyone else's perfect lives, and generally become a pain. How about get angry? Really mad at God. After all, He is the creator of the universe. Couldn't He just fix this problem for us? Or for our children? (Sigh, here) Of course He could. Then why doesn't He? We are His children and He loves us, really loves us! Since I personally have no answer for this, here goes an answer straight for scripture:

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17

Here is an idea for us to try: The next time we face a difficulty, stay in it….work through it…. thank God for it (just try this)…let go of it…let God finish His plan for us without straining against Him. Let go…let God. Joseph did. Mary did. And the blessings poured out upon them. I like what Max Lucado said about making room, "'In my Father's house are many rooms…' What a delightful promise Jesus makes! We make room for Him in our hearts, and He makes room for us in His house."

Pray:

Help us, Father, to see our troubles as you do. Lead us to ask you to help without telling you how to do it. Give us a heart to trust you when all seems lost, when we are left out and when there is no room for us here on earth. Remind us, God, that there is always room with you. Amen