by Candace Simar

simar@tds.net

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV

My mother cried when we announced our engagement those many years ago. She looked at me with those blue eyes of hers and shook her head when I asked why. I didn’t understand. In my youthful innocence I thought she was being sentimental.

Looking back, I think Mom wept because she knew how hard it would be for us to walk through these stages we entered into so flippantly. While she was glad for us, she knew the challenges of being married, raising kids, and being a grown up in a sometimes hostile world.

In this fallen world every stage has its challenges. There’s a walking-out required with each milestone. We pray to get into the right schools and then must write the papers, go to class, and manage the student loans. We pray for a good job and then must battle morning traffic, imperfect co-workers and the level of commitment required to keep the position. We pray for the right mate and then must walk out the journey of being in a permanent relationship. We pray for children and are surprised with the problems they bring with them. We pray for long life and complain when old age brings loss and ill health.

It seems many challenges we face are directly related to reaching and attaining our goals.

Each of us is in some stage of "walking it out." He promises to carry, sustain and rescue us. Consider the answered prayers that brought you to this challenging place and remember to be thankful. A grateful, positive attitude opens the door for more of God’s help to get you through this season. He’ll give you the grace and help you need to walk it out, wherever you are.

Copyright Candace Simar