“…all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” Col 1:16-17
If I just keep it together, I’ll be fine. Every woman has said that in times of stress and trouble. It seems that is our lot in life. We juggle so many balls in the air that when one threatens to bounce of our hand and roll out of our reach, we hasten to grasp it and pull it back into sync with the others. Keep everything running smoothly. All ducks in a row.
If only that would happen all the time. But life gets in the way. Someone comes down with a fever or stomach virus, the car breaks down, the washer spews all over the floor, the computer crashes, losing half a day’s worth of work that happens to be due in two hours. And those are just the little nagging things.
Then the biggies come along. Death. Divorce. Disability. The “3-D’s” that give life dimensions in ways we never fathomed. Then there are debilitating illnesses, loss of job and income, a betrayal by someone we love, a child that seems destined to head down the wrong path no matter how hard we try to stop them. How do we hold that together? We don’t.
Once on a retreat, we were told to put God f-i-r-s-t – in finances, interests, relationships, schedule and troubles. In the little and the big, it is comforting to know the Creator of the Universe is holding it all together, so we do not have to try.. He is before all things, so when they happen, He is right there to guide, comfort and love us through it. The little stuff and the big stuff. Put it in His hands. It’s Okay- they are big enough to hold all your problems and still hold onto you.
Holy Father, help us to cast our cares onto you knowing you can keep our lives together and see us through whatever comes our way. For we are not without hope, but fully trust in You. Then hold us tight and comfort us through it until we can fully see your Glory on the other side. For You purpose all things for the good just as you purposed your Son’s suffering and death on the cross. It is through Him that we come to Your Throne and crawl into your strong arms of love. Amen.
