Sometimes things happen that we don't expect. Usually, we've got some idea about how things should go or the way we want them to, and they don't go that way. Isn't this the human condition? For me... ok, I'm getting personal here... I've been married and divorced. Not once, not twice, but three times - the last was final only about 2 weeks ago. No, I'm not going to list those as my three good things. In fact, they downright bite, blow and suck (in no particular order). None of that went the way I wanted, and not the way they wanted either. I'm not going to start listing reasons or anything, but let's agree that it's rotten all the way around. So, what's the good stuff?
2) I understand people in pain and have far more compassion for them than I ever would otherwise.
3) I've spent considerably more time reading the Bible than I likely would have. This kinda goes with how God works, by bringing us into a desert where we have to rely on him utterly and completely.
1) I found out who my friends are. Man, that's kinda harsh, but it's true. Over the last few months, a handfull of people (all who are brothers and sisters in Christ) have shunned and ignored me, bad-mouthed me, and purposefully tried to make things worse for me. On the other hand, so many others have stepped up to do the right thing, give me comfort, accountability and compassion. It's quite wonderful to know that someone cares for you, even when you're at your worst.
The trick about not getting what you expect is to be thankful for what you get, no matter what it is.
That's really tough, but good.
