Out of the Trenches

Well, we have pulled ourselves out of the trenches and found that we have defeated our enemy; Valentine’s Day 2013 will go down in history as the day we began defeating the lice. Just thinking about it makes my head itchy.

I promised I’d write about what I think the Lord was teaching me through it all, and I’m not sure that there was one big over-arching lesson, but many small ones that will play large roles in the big picture of our lives.

1 &2. Let your needs be known and People like to help. This is a lesson I continue to learn, because we find ourselves in need a lot. I used to really frown on that; I’m tired of being needy. I don’t like asking people to help me, I would much rather be the one doing the helping. Through this experience and a few other simultaneous situations, the Father made it clear over and over that he has placed relationships in our lives in order to bless us, and to be a blessing to the other parties involved. As one of my friends came over last Thursday night to help me tackle the situation, we tried to repay her for a store run that she made for us for more lice shampoo and trash bags (and a few treats she threw in for our sanity), she said, “No way! God’s going to take care of this. Don’t rob me of the chance to bless you, He’s going to repay it!” That same night as I was trying very hard to control my already frazzled nerves, I got a phone call from another dear friend who knew about the extenuating circumstances, and through the prodding of the Holy Spirit, offered to help in a very practical and tangible way that had me sobbing in the bathroom with lice shampoo dripping down my neck. Then there was my new friend and neighbor who was so willing to comb through my hair and help me get rid of my own little critters. The blessing was not only ours to receive from this experience, but it also gave others the chance to be blessed by being a blessing. So where I would prefer to be the “blesser” and not the “blessee,” the reward is cyclical, no matter what position I find myself in, it’s worth it to be a giver or a receiver.

3. Lice aren’t really the worst thing in the world. Granted, we caught our lice early and got rid of them fairly quickly. It was a huge pain in the butt, I felt disgusting for a few days, and we missed four important dates that we’d been looking forward to for awhile, but ultimately, we spent more time with our kids, all of our laundry is exceptionally clean and we are now more educated on prevention and extermination than we ever were before. In another week we’ll get our pillows and blankets back out of the garbage bags in the garage and all will return to normal *fingers crossed*

3. God knows exactly what we need. Every single day of our lice infestation, I read Jesus Calling and laughed and laughed at the irony. Things like, “Thank me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still,” and “Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will.” “Instead of resenting limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living closer to me.” (Copyright 2004 Jesus Calling by Sarah Young). We were ‘quarantined’ for about five days and it was difficult and trying, but I spent a lot of time pressing in to the Lord and asking for His peace and help, and it was readily available to me. In my moments of doubt and fear with everything going on, God was so faithful to meet my needs and calm my heart, reminding me to breathe (sometimes I think I forget.) and to keep standing and fighting, and going back to #1, to reach out to the people who are covering us in prayer during this time. I sent out a mass-text the day before the lice fiasco, asking for prayer as we navigate the next step in our lives, and I could feel their prayers and love lifting me up over the days we were in lock down.

So there you have it. I can already see how the Father is orchestrating even the appearance of demon bugs for our good. It’s His promise to do so, and I fully expect Him to deliver on His promises.

How has the Father been fulfilling His promises to you lately? How has He been meeting your needs?