life lessons

Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.  Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.  For all these forty years your clothes didn't wear out, and your feet didn't blister or swell.  Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. (Deuteronomy 8:2-5)

life lessons are hard. when god teaches us something, he doesn't use the modern pedagogy that is prevalent in our schools. god isn't the kind of teacher that defers consequences and beats around the bush. he doesn't spare the rod. when god teaches us something, he makes it memorable, and usually not in the 'oh that was so lovely' way.

what is god trying to teach you? i know that there is a lesson being administered from god to me currently, but i am not sure what the take home message is just yet. i know that it has something to do with trust, control and patience... and that he's taught me this lesson before.

it's hard to keep our heads clear of negativity during trials and not get bogged down with feeling sorry for ourselves. we need to be looking ahead to the value of what is being taught. i know that if i was wandering around the desert for forty years, i would have a hard time seeing the glass half full. as hard as it might be, when there is an obstacle or challenge in our paths, rather than bemoaning to god 'why me', ask 'what for'.

over time, if we allow it, we are moulded and shaped into the people that we are called to be. the growth process isn't pretty, in fact it's usually downright messy. but one day, you wake up and you're through it. no matter if it's 40 hours, weeks or years. trust. he knows what he's doing.

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