I was just thinking about ...
Acts
of God
I was chuckling
last night. My son called up to tell us about his unfortunate turn of events. He
had just cleared his windshield off from the ice storm that hit yesterday and
was filling his car up with gas when the entire back shield shattered. Why am I
chuckling? Well, he didn’t have a ice scraper with him and had just cleared
his windshield with a 3-hole punch. I’m still trying to figure out how that
works. And then imagining the look on his face as he stands over the car
wondering if it was his fault and how he was going to turn it into the insurance
company.
Of
course, that’s where the chuckling stops. It turns out, the insurance company
refused his claim, saying that the incident was an “Act of God.” That
doesn’t fall under the coverage of his comprehensive coverage. A new rear
windshield was going to cost $750. Ouch! He’s a student and just paid off his
car loan. He’d been doing so well and bang, what a setback. Almost like two
acts of God thrown into one.
That’s
how we look at it, isn’t? “Why are you doing this to me, God? C’mon, give
me a break!” Oh, yeah, we’re quick to blame it on God. But before we go
farther with this, I want you to know that Dustin didn’t say anything to that
effect. He’s frustrated, but handling it as well as can be expected. Nope,
I’m the one who’s more likely to do something like complaining unfairly to
God. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s just because we’re on such good speaking
terms. But haven’t you done that, complained to God about something that’s
beyond your control?
Complaining
to God about such things is not always bad. God does like to hear from you and
hear about your problems. But when we start talking like it’s God’s
fault…uh-oh, the ice is getting thin. Be careful that you don’t confuse
apathy for God’s freewill relationship with us. Bad things happen to us, no
getting around that. Did God cause them? I
don’t think so. But I have to admit that God allowed it to happen. Is there a
divine reason for each and every unfortunate event? I doubt it, but there is
always hope. And the hope is this; Jesus is quoted as saying, “Not a sparrow
falls from the sky that the Father isn’t aware of. And you are much more
valued than a sparrow.” God is with you in the best of times and also in the
very worst. Remember that next time you’re hurting and want to yell out the
window at God. Then maybe you will realize there’s no need to shout; God’s
right beside you.
Come
around anytime, I’ll be here and so will God,
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