Nothing Comes Easy

My allergies are crazy. I am allergic to animals, cigarette smoke, dyes, scented detergents, candles, dead leaves, mold, most fresh flowers, perfumes, and a whole list of antibiotics. My doctor once called me, "a delicate little flower."

My one-time boyfriend sent me lilies to work, and I almost died at my desk from an allergic reaction. My scalp itched until I threw them away. I am ridiculous and get on my own nerves when it comes to this hypersensitivity.

I told David a few days ago, "Maybe I need to try allergy shots."

"Yeah, it probably wouldn't hurt," he replied.

Reminiscing, I asked him, "Do you remember when we first got married I got allergy tested, and they told me I was allergic to everything and needed shots? But the shots were $20 a week (with insurance), and we didn't have $20 a week to spare!"

He chuckled, "I do remember that. We were broke."

I took a minute to reflect on that season of our lives, and a collage of pictures filled my head with all of the hard work we had done and the sacrifices we had made to turn things around for ourselves.

For years, David worked out-of-town jobs on top of his regular work week which typically required more than forty hours a week. I worked full-time and always had some kind of side gig going on. We skipped vacations, sold personal belongings, and used income tax return money to pay off old debt.

But when I reflect on our married lives, I don't see mine and David's hands and good works. I see the hand of God helping us learn from stupid choices, giving us strength to work when we are exhausted, providing second chances we don't deserve, and sustaining us always.

To anyone reading this tonight who may be struggling, nothing worth having comes easy.

It can take years to buy our first home, pay off old debt, or even afford allergy shots, but it's possible with a persistent prayer life coupled with trusting God while working with excellence at everything we do as if we are working for the Lord. Because in the end, this earth is not our home.

Life is but a vapor, fleeting and fragile, like sand slipping through an hourglass. Each grain reflects a moment in time when we have choices to make about how we will live each day. Our labor will yield results, but our labor under the blessings of heaven will yield extraordinary results.

Keep going! You're gonna make it.

#sowandreap #blessings #encouragement #success #grateful #thankful

Se