Knowing how long

Our electricity went out the other evening during a summer storm that came through with very strong winds.   We got out flashlights and prepared for a few hours of darkness and no air-conditioning.  No biggy!  The storm brought a bit of coolness to the air so we could handle it. ( We thought )But as the night progressed I kept waking up and thinking "why isn't the electricity back on? " It continued into the next day and I started to wonder when will we get back up and running. How long can this last?  Our food was beginning to spoil and it was getting hotter.  We also have our daughter and family living with us right now while they wait to get into their home.  So this was about more than just Tom and I.  We went to a movie and let the kids play in the sprinkler to stay cool. However as time kept going and we still weren't connected we made plans to go to my other daughters' house to spend a night in a cool place.  Packing up was a chore and not knowing how long this would be made it even more difficult.  Everyone was a bit flustered as we were hot and the NOT KNOWING is what made it so frustrating.  Sheila kept saying...."if we only knew how long this was going to take...".

We did get our power restored that evening while we were at Alisha's eating.  Tom texted that it was back on.  Yay!!!! It felt like a burden was lifted.  We finished our dinner, then packed up and returned back home.  What a relief.  I felt so thankful for the things I normally take for granted.

I was thinking about my attitude during the trial. I was wishing the whole time that I had a better attitude even when I didn't know how long the ordeal would last.  If I had known it would be only 22 hours, I could have prepared and relaxed in it.  But I didn't know if it was going to be 1 hour, 2 days or even more.
That's how it is with our walk with God.  He has promised to return for us.  We will all die or be taken home with the Lord's return.  But we don't know when.  We are here until our job is done.  We are to be living a life that is obedient to God's Word.  We are to share what He has done for us with those who don't know Him personally.  We are to be kind and love God with all our hearts.  Sometimes we go through tough times and we don't know how long it will last.  We are able to trust that God has us under His care and He loves us.  We need to hang onto joy that God has put in our inner most being. We need to pull out those reserves when times are difficult and we feel like throwing in the towel. Let's walk the straight road and do the next right thing we know to do.  Keep the faith so to speak.  God has never let me down and I have discovered after all these years that the hard times are what make me a better, stronger person.  They are what draw me into a more trusting relationship with my Savior. So all things do work together for good.  Even those things I don't enjoy or want. I don't know how long for this life but I will try and be joyful in everything.  God is so amazing.