Trials and difficulties can have a way of obscuring the smiling face of God.

...if I become focused on them.



You know what's difficult for me? (Well, there are several things actually.) But, right up there at the top of the list is seeing those I love go through difficult times, or to be separated from them. As a dad/husband we do what? We FIX things. And nothing is worse than when we can't. What else do we do? We protect. It's just in our DNA I guess. Anything else? Oh, yeah, there's that provision thing. Fix, Protect and Provide. That about covers it, doesn't it?



So, let's take a look into that empty nest. Is there anything in there to do? Fix something? Nope. Or, protect? Nope. Oh, what about providing? Nope. Can't do that either. Hmmmm....what's a dad/husband to do?

He maintains his focus on the reality that whatever tomorrow may bring, he can face it because of what Christ has done on the Cross. Christians are not only realists, but also eternal optimists, for we believe we will be saved from the presence of sin and from the wrath of God. This is our future, our destiny. In other words, we have a hope that far exceeds the trials, the difficulties, the junk we all have to endure on this planet. I claim again today Jeremiah 29:11 as my very own.

Be encouraged if you are facing something difficult and remember the cross of Jesus Christ. Maintain your focus and rejoice in your secure eternity because of the death of Jesus Christ. (Did you hear that Mike...Dad??). You and I can live with the assured hope of an eternal life with Jesus, bought and paid for at the cross. The cross enables us to rejoice in hope, persevere in tribulation, and be devoted to prayer (Romans 12:12), because through it we know we will be saved. (Hey, Mike, oh, Daaad, are you still listening??) We know we will be saved not only from sin and its consequences, but also from these trials and hardships presented to us on this earth. What hope that gives me!

What hope there is in the gospel! And this hope is kept for us in heaven, out of reach of the enemy, where it cannot be lost or stolen. The empty nest for me, while normal and natural, feels like a case of theft: separation and/or pain and difficulty that was never part of the His original plan. But, that will all be fixed in the future, won't it?

PS Better add a couple of things to that list of Dad things: Trust Him, and Pray!!!!!!!!