why did her toast have to burn?
We've had a rough stretch of things. I've had so much schoolwork crammed into the last two months, but thankfully I just finished my last final exam about 20 minutes ago and can now consider myself (dare I say it) finished with schoolwork. Granted, there's one class for licensure and a looming Doctorate, but enough already, in a sense, I AM DONE.
Last week we found out that our first choice for housing would not work. It was a free arrangement, fraught with drawbacks and responsibilities. But free nonetheless. Now we face the reality of the cost of living on the North Shore in Massachusetts. It's intimidating for sure.
My ever-conscientious and ever-planful B. began apartment searching for us in the beginning of March. Yes, for a June 1st move-in. (I know, it's just how she is) We were told flat-out in March that we were too early, then came the free living situation thing, then we were back on the market. So, the market we hit. And we found a gem. B. absolutely loved it, it had space and bookshelves and storage. And charm. Her heart was captured. I liked it too, for what that's worth. Then came the call, the landlord doesn't want to rent to us because we're expecting. Then came the tears for B. and the frustration and the realization that the search is far from over.
All this while I don't yet have any real satisfying job prospects...
Then, this morning, in the midst of her tears, my wife was going through her routine (which requires healthy meals at regulated times with regulated pills) and her toast burned. Not only do we not have housing, not only do I not have a job, not only is her heart broken, but her breakfast (even a small little thing like breakfast) was charred and nearly ruined. I watched her crunch into it.
Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why do things that seem so promising fall through? Why does the future hold so many unknowns? Why isn't life controllable? These questions have no quick-fix. There is no faith without effort, no trust without risk, no hope without intentionality. We stand in an uncertain place, asking a God whose character is certainly good to meet our needs and to provide contentment, even when our daily bread is burnt toast.
Last week we found out that our first choice for housing would not work. It was a free arrangement, fraught with drawbacks and responsibilities. But free nonetheless. Now we face the reality of the cost of living on the North Shore in Massachusetts. It's intimidating for sure.
My ever-conscientious and ever-planful B. began apartment searching for us in the beginning of March. Yes, for a June 1st move-in. (I know, it's just how she is) We were told flat-out in March that we were too early, then came the free living situation thing, then we were back on the market. So, the market we hit. And we found a gem. B. absolutely loved it, it had space and bookshelves and storage. And charm. Her heart was captured. I liked it too, for what that's worth. Then came the call, the landlord doesn't want to rent to us because we're expecting. Then came the tears for B. and the frustration and the realization that the search is far from over.
All this while I don't yet have any real satisfying job prospects...
Then, this morning, in the midst of her tears, my wife was going through her routine (which requires healthy meals at regulated times with regulated pills) and her toast burned. Not only do we not have housing, not only do I not have a job, not only is her heart broken, but her breakfast (even a small little thing like breakfast) was charred and nearly ruined. I watched her crunch into it.
Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why do things that seem so promising fall through? Why does the future hold so many unknowns? Why isn't life controllable? These questions have no quick-fix. There is no faith without effort, no trust without risk, no hope without intentionality. We stand in an uncertain place, asking a God whose character is certainly good to meet our needs and to provide contentment, even when our daily bread is burnt toast.
posted by J B at 12:40 PM
1 Comments:
Great questions. I think there's a certain amount of uncertainty and dis-contentedness that is a part of every Christian's life. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians:
"Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
I suppose the alternative is that God could make everything go great for Christians. But then we would not serve Him because we love Him, we would serve Him for selfish reasons; because He gives us whatever we want. Everyone would be a false convert to Christianity so they could get all the benefits. But the concepts of faith, love, sacrifice, perseverance and eternal reward would be meaningless.
I think God wants to teach us sacrificial love and perseverance because that is what He is like. And we would never become like Him if we were just given an easy life that required no effort.
Just my 2 cents.
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