It’s hard to believe that twenty years ago, many were sitting around waiting for catastrophic events to unfold.  The year 2000 was about to break, and the prediction was that computers would crash and create havoc.  Well, none of that happened!

Here we sit  twenty years later, on the last day of 2019 about to end another decade.  Exactly what happened in the 2010s:

1. The first iPad went on sale.
2. We saw Occupy Wall Street
3. Black Lives Matter
4. The ALS ice bucket challenge.
5. A shocking presidential result in the 2016 presidential election.
6. A rise in mass shootings and terrorist attacks.
7. The Supreme Court of the United States legalized gay marriage.
8. A new generation of Royals were born.
9. We experienced a total solar eclipse.
10. We lost Dr. Billy Graham, as he stepped into his heavenly reward.

I only highlighted a few of the things that we saw in the United States.  One thing is for sure, the 2010s were unlike anything we have seen in a time span of ten years.  Violence, social media, and politics have all become ugly.

As I reflect on my own life, I can say that the 2010s had very high highs, and very low lows.

1. One of our sons got married.
2. Six grandchildren were added, four by birth and two by adoption.
3. I traveled the United States and the world preaching the Gospel.
4. We lost our son Bryan at the age of 36. He never got to meet his son who was born soon after.
5. One of our precious grandsons was diagnosed with autism.
6. We paid off our house.
7. Alabama won four national championships in football.
8. I broke an ankle, big toe, and leg bone from a fall.
9. Gaylon lost his mother.
10. I lost a brother, the first of eight siblings to die.

Whew!  That’s a lot of stuff in the country and in our lives, and that’s only a fraction of it.

Sometimes remembering is a good thing!  What has reminiscing done for me?  It has shown me once again, that God is so faithful.   I am honest enough to tell you that there have been times in the past decade, that I was trying to hold it together on the outside, but filled with pain, fear and doubt on the inside.   I am so thankful for a God who, in His mercy, didn’t cut me out of the family.  Instead, He walked closely by my side, and became strength in my weakness.  He caught the gallons of tears I cried.   I can testify that I have been kept by the power of God.

Do you find yourself in a painful place today?  Have the stresses of life caught up with you?  Do you wonder if anyone sees or even cares?  Has life taken its toll?

Though you might not feel it, see it, or think it — God sees you; God hears you; God is there with you. He knows the ache in your heart.  He sees every pain.  If you feel crushed in spirit, God has declared that He will be close to you.  God is for you, not against you.

As we enter 2020, let me encourage you through the Word of God, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help … the righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit” – Psalm 34:15-18;   “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Difficult people are everywhere, and I do mean everywhere!  They are at home, work, church, restaurants, doctors’ offices,  schools – everywhere!    Difficult people can bring you to tears, make you want to pull your hair out, and suck the life out of you.  And, let’s be truthful, sometimes we ourselves have been the difficult person.

There was a time that I thought I could change people through reason and persuasion.  If I had a rational conversation with them, or if I was nice, they’d listen!  Well, occasionally that was successful, but generally we can’t change anyone.

When I was ready to leave for college, I was so excited.  I could hardly wait to start this new adventure in my life.  After growing up in a tough, dysfunctional environment, I would finally have a chance to be free.  Not so fast!  My father said, “You are not leaving to go anywhere.”  Fear came over me.  What would happen?  Would it be safe for me to leave? Even more, would it be safe for my mother if I left?  That night with tears wetting my pillow, I asked God to do something.

I got up the next morning and left for college.  As we drove away, the last thing I saw was my mother standing on the porch crying and smiling.  I was so worried about my mother.  What would happen!

After being at school a few days, I came up with enough money to call home for three minutes.  Pushing through the fear of what I might hear from my mother, I called anyway.  When I asked how were things after I left?  My mother’s response, “He never said a word!”  What?!  HE NEVER SAID A WORD!

As we celebrate this Christmas, my mind ponders Mary, the mother of Jesus.  She needed God to work on Joseph.   Think of the story she told him.  “Joseph, I am going to have a baby.  I know we are engaged, and we both know you are not the father.  I can explain!  It was God.  I was overcome by the Spirit of God, and in me has been birthed the Messiah.  Isn’t that exciting!”

Joseph wasn’t buying it.  The engagement was off.  At least he held his temper in check, and decided not to go public with the story, and instead just walked away.  Mary’s heart must have been broken as Joseph walked away.  Could Mary trust God?  Mary had to ask herself, “Can I trust God to work out every problem I encounter if I submit myself to His will?  Can he even deal with the person that I am incapable of changing?”

Conflict was raging in Joseph’s soul.  That night Joseph was restless on his bed as he contemplated that Mary had violated their engagement promise. “How could she betray me that way? I can’t go through with this marriage. I’ll be nice about it, but I am ending this thing!”

Mary must have felt hopeless that Joseph would feel this way, but she had to leave Joseph in God’s hands. No amount of talking, pleading and begging could change his mind. As Joseph lay upon his bed, God spoke to him. God changed Joseph’s heart, and he walked in the will of God and became the earthly father to Jesus Christ.

Who are you wrestling with? What’s troubling you, making you feel powerless? Talking and pleading might not be the answer. Talking to God and asking Him to change that which seems unchangeable is the answer. Leave it in God’s hands.

“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27