When You Don’t Understand

This morning in my quiet time I began with a heavy heart. Have you been there recently? I read all the assigned reading and still felt discouraged. Much of what I read, especially in Leviticus, I don’t like nor understand. Honestly I skipped a couple of chapters last week.

I also lost my favorite earrings that Tom bought me for our 25th anniversary almost 20 years ago. To say I was struggling is an understatement. I went to put them on yesterday and only one was in my jewelry holder. That never has happened. I always take them off before bed and put them back on in the morning, until this morning.

I didn’t want to tell Tom until I had time to search everywhere. Once I realized it was most likely gone–I broke the news to him. He helped me look and when he found the back of my earring I had HOPE! It has to be here somewhere.

We looked together again and it was still no where to be found. We shook rugs, checked clothing and settled on the possibility it fell down the drain. I couldn’t imagine that happening and me not noticing, but then again, I was the one who lost it.

<sigh>>

Back to this morning’s devotional time. I was writing in my journal and ended by asking God to help me trust in His sovereignty in all the situations I’m carrying. Even when I can’t understand what He’s doing, I know He is sovereign and His plans won’t be thwarted. The weight lifted a bit and I began my day.

I poured another cup of tea. While waiting for it to steep, I went into our room and was sadly reminded of my missing earring. <another sigh>. This time I looked around asking God to help me find it. But alas, I didn’t.

I heard the tea timer beep, and left for the kitchen. I had no idea God was in the timing of all this…

As I was stirring my tea I happened to look down; right by my foot was my lost earring! I couldn’t believe it. I had been in the kitchen cooking for hours the night before. There is no way I wouldn’t have seen it or stepped on it. But here it was right after I had asked God to help.

I sensed Him say, “Debi, I see you. Trust Me for what you can’t see or don’t understand.”

I’m reminded of all the parts of the Bible I don’t understand up close. Yet when I look at the big picture of the Bible, I can see God’s hand clearly. I pray our faith as we read His Word this year will grow stronger in the areas of our lives we don’t understand, even if we’ve lost something precious. God sees us and He is sovereignly guiding our every step.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Photo by Andy Li on Unsplash