FORCED!

This week I have been challenged and stretched more severely than I have in years.  There have been moments of joy and triumph and moments of tears and confusion.  It has been a wild ride, and I admire my husband for buckling up and sticking with me for the ups and downs of it all.  Have you ever been told by two different people, within 5 minutes of each other, conflicting, no not just conflicting, OPPOSITE reports and advice about the exact same issue?  Well, I suppose if you have more than one child that is an every day occurence...  =o), but I'm talking about reports and advice from rational, God-fearing adults with the same goal in mind.  I found myself in that position on more than one occasion this week, and it has forced me to stop asking what the people around me think and to cry out to God for His perfect perception.  Hmmm, "forced?"  Perhaps that is why I am in this predicament in the first place.  Did I need to be FORCED into seeking God in this matter because I wasn't seeking him in other matters?  Has pride crept into my life in such a way that I believe my own intellect and experience are sufficient for making tough decisions.  Ouch.  I think I've struck a nerve. 

I'm so glad that God loves me enough to allow me to be in the middle of a situation that FORCES me to cry out to him.  A situation where I am in over my head and have no idea what to do.  A place where the stakes are high and success is critical.  If I wasn't seeking him wholeheartedly in the smaller, more routine areas of my life - PRAISE HIM that he cares enough for me to allow strife into my world to bring me right back to his side, and remind me where my true peace and joy and comfort come from.