We all hit a wall at some point in our lives. We hit the wall for many different reasons. We are tired and just can’t take it anymore. We lost direction in our lives. The path forward seems so unattainable. We are overcome with horrible circumstances far worse than we could ever imagine. The carefully crafted life that we planned falls apart and we desperately try to pick up the pieces. The faster we try to mend the mess, the quicker it falls apart.

Years ago, I hit a wall when I learned we were moving…yet again. With three children nine, six and three years old, I had rallied to move from three different states during the last ten years. Finally, I was comfortable. Settled with friends, I did not want to let go. My support system would be gone, leaving the bible study group would be a daunting task. I trudged through the move with with a bad attitude and what felt like a hangover.
I didn’t have long to contemplate my miserable state of affairs. Two weeks into the move I got a phone call that would change my life forever. We had just gotten home from the evening carpool run, everyone was tired and hungry. The phone rang, it was not good news. After blood work, CAT scans and MRIs, the news was not good. My mother had a brain tumor. Not just one, but several…all inoperable. I gasped for air. I searched for words that didn’t come. My very-strong mother began to cry and said, “I have to go.” My world changed forever in an instant.
In an instant long leisurely phone calls were gone. In an instant grammy play dates and evenings with takeout and laughter were gone. Gone were the holidays late night Christmas Eve snacks after the midnight service. Gone were the thoughtful letters, cards and notes sent with love. Gone were the days when I knew she would be there to look out for me.
As a took a long walk that evening to think things over the scripture that kept popping in my head, “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Sometimes out of the most horrible circumstances do we see Jesus most clearly. We see Him in the kindness of family, friends and even strangers during tragedy. It is in those moments of pain and despair that we can reach out to one another most with the love of Jesus. Whether we are struggling in a new city, missing a loved one or just plain overloaded with too much to do, it is when we are about to hit that wall…that is when God sends us to either be a light of kindness to someone else or …for just a moment receive an unexpected kindness from a stranger. I can live a month off a compliment from a stranger…longer than that if it is a compliment from a loved one.
As we hit the wall of frustration, bitterness, and exhaustion, know this…God is at work in our lives. He wants so much more for us. He wants us to stop for a moment, take a minute and truly see what He has given us…He gives us the gifts of faith, hope and love. It is true the treasure is a long way off and yet; He gives us respite and courage to scale the prickly fence to journey beyond. He has so much planned for us…more than we can ever know.