Wednesday Update and Some Wise Thoughts

MOM && AUNT COME TOMRROW! Currently, two of my favorite people in the world are waiting in the Rochester airport, ready to head to London for a visit. In case you can't tell, I am MORE THAN excited to see them! I cannot explain to you how much I value my family - or how loved I feel by their gesture of coming halfway across the world to see me. I'm truly blessed. 

Tomorrow, we will be spending the day in London but will be heading to Rome on Friday! I cannot wait to see more of Italy with my family & to eat some more Italian food. There's just something about Italy that is magical... & I cannot wait to head back there! Don't worry - I'll take lots of pictures and make sure to document it all for you! 

Since today is Wednesday... Wise Wednesday, shall we? This week has been a bit crazy, so my post isn't going to be in depth as normal. Plus, I'm not sure how many of you actually read this...? 

Max Lucado has a fantastic book, that was recommended to me, entitled "You'll Get Through This." When I was having a super rough time being abroad, I started reading it & wow. He is super convicting & says what needs to be said for sure. 

The most recent section I was reading held some awesome truths. This particular section was focused on the Old Testament story of Joseph, where Joseph's brothers sell him but God never leaves him. Genesis 39:2 says, "The Lord was with Joseph & he was a successful man." Did his brothers ever expect this? Nope. 

Max really struck me with these words: "Joseph didn't see this assault coming. he didn't club out of bed that morning and think, I'd better dress in padded clothing because this is the day I get tossed into a hole. The attack caught him off guard. So did yours." Personally, I never came abroad expecting to end up overly saddened & homesick. Nope! That wasn't me. I didn't see that one coming... But you know what? As Max goes on to say, that problem was used for good. Because I experienced that period of darkness & struggle, I'm a much stronger person. God uses our messes for good. He doesn't force us to struggle just for his amusement. There is a purpose. Sometimes, we might not see the actual purpose right away but it is SO necessary to just keep trusting God. 

This part? DESCRIBES my struggle exactly. Ready? 

"Let me be clear. You are a version of Joseph in your generation. You represent a challenge to Satan's plan. You carry something of God within you, something noble & holy, something the world needs - wisdom, kindness, mercy, skill. If Satan can neutralize you, he can mute your influence... The story of Joseph is in the Bible for this reason: to teach to you trust God to trump evil." 

Get it yet? You don't struggle just for nothing! You struggle because you need to trust God. For me, had I not struggled, my faith would not be half as strong as it is at the present moment. I think we need to change how we see struggles. We need to see them more as a time to grow, instead of the end of the world. As a time to become who we are supposed to be & a time to let God shine through us. God used Joseph for good... Why can't he use our struggles too? 

I'm positive God will use my struggles for some purpose. I may not understand it... now or ever but I know it was worth it. It drew me closer to him & forced me to trust him. I had to trust God to trump the evil sadness I was feeling. Maybe you need to trust him to trump whatever is going on in your life, as well?

I pray this touches someone. I may not know who you are, but I pray you find God's peace in your life. 

Well, I'm off to bed as my mother arrives in less than 12 hours! EEK! Time for 10 days of mother-daughter-aunt loving. I love me some family time... :) 

Be blessed. 

-hannah-