I Will Never ........

Have you ever said, “I will never _______ ?”

Every time I say that, it comes back to bite me in the...backside.  I often forget never is a very long time.  I often forget God has a sense of humor.

Some of my nevers:

BOXES, DUCT TAPE AND BALING TWINE

When I got married, you could put everything I had in a couple of large boxes.  I did not need a walk-in closet.  I needed one drawer and a dozen hangers.  I assumed one move when we got married and probably one after that would be the extent of my moving.

Wrong.  Life steps in.  A job ends.  A new job is found.  A move here. A move there.  All totaled, I have moved seven times.  Give me boxes, duct tape and baling twine and I can pack up a house in no time.  I must admit, this last time took me a bit longer and took more than a couple of boxes and a dozen hangers.

THE HOG BARN

Having been raised in a small town, I was not prepared for being the wife of a farmer.  First we had hogs.  Having a full time job, I knew I would never have to —— take a shovel and clean out the barn or deal with a sow having a rough delivery.

Wrong.  Hubby was more than willing to have me beside him as we cleaned out the stalls and put fresh bedding down.  He took great delight in telling me I was an expert with a shovel.  Of course, the rough delivery happened one night when hubby was gone.  All I had to do, he had said, was check on them.  He assured me mother nature would take care of the rest.  What I found out, when I went to check, was that apparently mother nature was nowhere to be found either.  This town girl got right in that pen.  (Skip if you have a weak tummy.)  I quickly saw a dead pig was stuck and not allowing the others to travel down their intended path.  I will never have to.... but I did.  I removed the dead pig and watched with amazement as the rest of the litter was born, each alive and healthy.

CAN YOU STRETCH HER?

When we lived on the farm south of town, I told hubby he needed a hobby.  One day a truck unloaded feeder calves.  I told him that was not exactly what I had in mind.  My first reaction was that they were a lot bigger than the hogs we had all those years ago.  The feeder calves came every spring for about three years and then were replaced by even bigger bovine called heifers and cows.  Plus a rather intimidating bull.  I became very good at putting in ear tags, feeding when hubby was on the road and checking on the cows when they were ready to deliver.  Then one day I heard, “I need help. We are going to have to pull a calf.”  WE?  That would be like including ME?  “Yes and take your rings off.”  You want me to put my hands in there and stretch her so you can .... Never.

Wrong.  I have put my hands in places I never thought I would.  And I became a very good “stretch her.”  I could get those feet just where they needed to be so the chains would go on.  Then I would watch in amazement as a new life began.

I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH

Our family made it many, many years with no serious illness or surgeries.  Until ..... our daughter needed surgery and over the years has needed several.  Until ..... our grandsons were in the hospital or needed surgery.  Until .... I needed some too.  Being operated on and recovery is hard but I am not strong enough to watch a loved one being taken down the hall.  Never, will I be that strong.

And I was right.  Moving.  Working in a hog barn.  Delivering calves.  Those I learned how to do.  But to sit and reassure a grandson that I would be there all night and another one that surgery was successful and his mommy would be back shortly and to watch while another one gritted his teeth and refused to cry after getting his tonsils out.  I am not strong enough.  To stand beside the bed as our daughter awaits her turn in surgery, to sit in the waiting room, to watch as she has trouble coming out of the anesthesia and to ... I am not strong enough.  Never.

And I am right.  On my own, I would never have been strong enough.

But .... I was NEVER on my own.

Paul said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

            Philippians 4:12-13

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

            2 Corinthians 4:6-9

“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 NIV

On my own, I would never have been strong enough.

HE gave me strength.

Through HIS power I was not crushed, I did not despair,

I was not abandoned and I was not destroyed.

HE held me up.