“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering…. The love of God did not protect His own Son…. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.”
Elisabeth Elliot
(Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II / image borrowed from the web)
Elizabeth has had them….
She’s actually had what she referenced as an annus horribilis
An entire bad year…
Churchill had them…
just mention the word Gallipoli
Eddison had them…
think electric chair
David had them…
think plotting to have someone killed just to cover up your own bad choices…
As it just seems to get worse and worse…..
Joseph had them…
think betrayal by your own brothers…
Paul had them…
as it took three days of blindness to figure it out that raging murderous ways were not
the best use of ones talents.
Peter had them…
something about crowing roosters
Einstein had them…
A Nobel Prize winner actually failed his college entrance exam
Louis Zamperini had them…
think plane crash, 47 days in a life raft and over 2 years as a POW
FDR had them…
one word…polio
Indeed, we’ve all had them…
bad days,
bad weeks,
bad months,
bad years,
bad turns,
bad runs,
bad lives…
Times we would just rather forget.
Times we wish we could ask for the re-do or the re-start
Times we found unbearable, insurmountable and devastating…
Times we thought we’d not survive…
The thing is we will all face them…
bad times,
hard days,
difficult periods in our lives.
Some will seem endless as others will seem to be the end of us…
It will not be a matter of when they come…
because they will come whether or not we are ready, prepared or armed…
The important thing will not be what they do to us,
But rather what we do in spite of them…
Will we be beaten?
Giving up,
Lying down,
Rolling over,
Giving in…
growing bitter
resentful
resigned
hateful…
Or will we come out of it…
better,
stronger,
wiser,
kinder
even more courageous than before….
Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Wise words Julie. Life happens to everyone but it is our choice what we do and what attitude we adopt. We all have to make that choice at different times in our lives as to whether we will merely survive or whether we will thrive. Thanks for this reflection!
thanks Lynda–and I just fixed my little typo in the title–as I am the queen of typos–rather appropriate given the guest appearance of Her Majesty 🙂
Have a marvelous Sunday
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
What a great post! Thank you Julie, I needed to hear this. BTW I think it was Joseph that was sold into slavery by his brothers. David had brothers, but if I remember right he was chosen by Samuel. Anyway feel free to erase this whether I’m right or wrong. Peace to you.
Yes indeed—I was thinking Joseph as I had the coat of many colors running around in my head and was going to add David as well—then actually added them as one—ode to my ADD brain—hence why I need a secretary 🙂
thanks—sorted now!
Be blessed today!
more like keep myself straight and out of trouble 🙂
Great post my friend!
Hi Julie, your post reminds me of a quote I came across recently that says “the problem is not the problem, it’s your attitude to the problem” Love to you from Jenna ❤
well hello my little friend…
you’re right on point Jenna–as it really does all hinge upon our perspective and reaction–
I’m so glad you stopped by as I’ve wanted to tell you that one of my oldest friends, all the way back to when we were 12, her daughter announced that she’s up and quitting her job out in LA and has bought a one way ticket to Australia. She is 26, not married and sees this time as an opportunity to live out a dream—so she will move in September, find a job or two and set up “camp” for who knows how long.
She’s Atlanta born and raised but has lived in LA for the last 4 years working.
My friend was a bit upended by the announcement but is 100% supportive.
I told her that I have a friend in Australia 😉
I don’t know if she’s headed to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth….knowing her it may be totally off the wall.
I’ll let you know when I have a few more details—Maybe this means I’ll tag along when Mom needs to check in face to face 🙂
Enjoy your day—
hugs Jenna—Julie
I love the queen and her hats! Nice post! 🙂 ❤
Excellent post Julia!! ? Love your time line as such. Thank you for taking the time to share with us😊