Hello Family,
Life can be so unpredictable. We're often forced to roll with the punches despite the turmoil, stress and overwhelming emotions we're facing admits chaos.
A few weeks ago, I got off of work, hopped into my Red Kia Soul aka "Mercy Soul" and made my way home; and then I got into a car accident. My vehicle was hit on the drivers side, and due to the impact of the accident my air bags deployed. Naturally, I called on the name of Jesus once I realized I couldn't get out of the way in time to avoid the car from t-boning me. Thankfully, me and the other driver were both conscious and "okay". Once I got out of my vehicle I sat on the sidewalk holding my hand to my head wondering to myself, "how did this happen?"
I was a week and a half away from my family vacation when I got into the car accident. My savings are practically depleted due to other medical emergencies I've had over the past few months. I couldn't understand how something so terrible could happen to me so quickly.
I was informed my "Mercy Soul" was totaled nearly a week after my accident; MIND YOU, I bought this car the same month I started work. I had "Mercy Soul" for less than a year. So, naturally I was extremely stressed about not having a vehicle and navigating paying it off; and might I add this is still stressful. I also experienced a few aches and pains after the accident that caused me to be on multiple medications.
... but surviving the car accident is evidence I experienced MERCY that day. The entire drivers side of my Kia Soul was smashed in EXCEPT for the driver's door. I look back at the pictures and often wonder how different my life would be if God's grace and mercy didn't cover me that day.
I still don't have a personal vehicle. I've been able to make it to-and-from work with the help of my wonderful and extremely generous coworkers. MERCY IS REAL. GOD'S MERCY IS REAL. One of my friends shared with me, a day or so after my car accident, that one of her student's parents got into a terrible car accident that negatively impacted their spine.
I can't make sense of why chaos happens in our lives. Does it teach us resilience? how to depend on Jesus? how to trust God with the unknown? I have no clue, however I am confident that God doesn't allow things to happen by coincidence.
If you've ever read the Bible, you may have heard stories or scriptures about God's mercy. In this moment I think of Lamentations 3:22-23 which reads, "22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
My mother and nana always encourage me to pray for "traveling mercy" whenever and wherever I travel. I am JUST now beginning to see how significant God's mercy is.
I encourage you to take a moment in your chaos, distress, anger, frustration and any other emotions you're feeling and notice God. Maybe life is dragging you by your baby hairs, or it's extremely blissful and exciting. I recognize that whether life is going great or horrendous that God's mercy can be seen if we really take a moment to look at our circumstances. Noticing God's mercy in your life can help you find peace in your circumstances. Don't get me wrong, I encourage you again to feel all the feels. Process your emotions in whatever healthy ways you see fit, however don't neglect the opportunity to see the light in the darkness. Let the light in.
I love you. Jesus loves you MOST!
Keep your head up, and if you can't that is okay to.
I am sending you peace, hope and joy. I am praying God's mercy will become EVIDENT to you on your life's journey. Stay encouraged. Be Fruitful.
XO Miss Ponder
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CITATIONS:
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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