Life is Hard!

I remember being a kid.  As a tomboy I was always active.  I never wanted naps but my Mom made me get in bed mid-day anyway because SHE needed a break and my little sister was exhausted from trying to keep up with me. I was always climbing on things, I did every sport in school and loved playing on the monkey bars!

I remember being a teenager and watching Dr. Pepper commercials with young people balancing on and then jumping off 4 foot ledges, etc. and I really wanted to be in one of those commercials!  I played basketball and volleyball in school and played soccer with my neighborhood friends when I got home.  I had boundless energy!

I remember being in my early 20's and going to dance clubs (yes, a sordid part of my past that I am not proud of) and staying up until 3am and getting up at 6am for a full day of work only to go dancing again that night after a quick nap and a fast food dinner.

I remember being in my mid 20's (after re-committing my life to God) and being so active and involved in my church that I was at church more than I was home.  I was at all 3 services every Sunday, participated in the weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting,  a Thursday night Bible study and was a leader in AWANA every Monday night.  I was on a ladies' committee too and that meant providing refreshments for several evening services and helping serve at several bigger events like potlucks and organized Christmas dinners.  I went to every bridal and baby shower and I was involved with the young adults group who regularly got together to do fun activities (like flag football, camping trips, etc.).

I remember dating my husband while working full time and being so involved at church.   We would stay out late walking - often in the rain - and talking with no regard for sleep.

I remember when my kids were younger and I had to chase after them to keep them safe out in public.   I took them to parks, the fair, swimming lessons, the beach.  I taught both of them to ride bikes while holding on to the seat and running behind them before letting go once they were balanced.   

In short, I remember when I took energy and mobility for granted!  As if I would never run out of energy or have difficulty walking or be unable to run.

Now, getting dressed in the morning is a gymnastic event for me.  Walking is a simple task that takes thought and careful planning so I don't fail to pick my left leg up high enough and end up flat on the floor.   Even talking takes brain power and energy that often challenge my compromised system.   Everything I do now is more difficult and takes intentional effort and focus.

But God did not promise that my life would be easy.  In John 16:33 what He DID promise was that I would have tribulation but He said "IN ME you may have peace."  If I abide in, dwell in, TRUST in Jesus Christ I will have peace even when life is hard because He has conquered sin and death and all the things in this world that cause pain and suffering and hardship.  I can rest in that knowledge and in the promise that one day there will be no more sadness, pain, suffering- but only peace, love and joy!  And I can experience peace now in the ONE who created all things and by whom all things exist- a peace beyond understanding -  until you are filled with it.