When the Answer is No

Beloved Mama has an interesting question on her blog today. Her post raises questions of any experiences we may have when we pray for a miracle and it doesn't come..... hmmm.... sometimes life is just so hard. Time and time again it seems we want things or answers and God seems to be as far away as China (unless of course, you are in China).

When JJ was two, we were facing very difficult times. We'd moved all over the place and finally it seemed the answer had come. After a very involved process, DJ was accepted into a challenging program for a new career. With all the changes in the construction industry in the 80's, this seemed a good way to go. After working and studying more than could ever be expected, it just didn't work out. We were so disappointed. Later, we discovered that this particular career choice has one of the highest rates for divorces, alcoholism and suicide. We had no idea it would have been so stressful for the long term. We made the move out to Sunny, CA and DJ's career took off immediately. Why? Why did we go through that time? We don't know. But we do know that God knows. We still don't understand, but one day we will.

My mother passed away in 2004. Her illness was heartbreaking. Guillain-Barre Syndrome. It is devastating, but most people who have it attack them recover almost fully. We were certain with her determined spirit and trust in God, there was no option but one of recovery, no matter how long it might take. She was healed --- but by running into the arms of Jesus, rather than recovering in a bed at our home as we hoped. Why? Why did we go through that time? We don't know. But we do know that God knows. We still don't understand, but one day we will.

My grandmother (whom I never met) had leukemia in the 1950's. She fought it hard and was actually a test case for some wonderful research in fighting the disease. This probably extended her life for about two years longer than expected. In the course of her illness, she went blind. Someone prayed for her and her sight was restored. But she still went to heaven due to the leukemia. Why? Why did she go through that time? We don't know. But we do know that God knows. We still don't understand, but one day we will.

This we do know: 1 Corinthians 2:7 (The Message)
We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven't a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn't have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That's why we have this Scripture text: No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him...

So...sometimes we have to say, "O.K., I don't get it." But I know God has a plan and when I'm overwhelmed with tears He captures them in a bottle. And we can always, always, always, know He listens.