The fridge

About a year ago, I had some extra craftsy materials laying around the apartment.  I used them to make magnets to put on the fridge with verses on them.  Being in and out of the refrigerator multiple times a day, I thought that having a verse literally right in front of my face would help with being encouraged through God's Word.  
Unfortunately, I've come to realize that when I head to the fridge, it's for one thing and one thing only.  I have my eye on that only prize.  Milk for my cereal usually :)  So the verses on the fridge get looked over most of the time.  They have now become the refrigerator.  All I see is 'refrigerator'.

This morning as I ironically opened the fridge to, oh yes, get the milk for my cereal, something wonderful happened.  The refrigerator wasn't just a refrigerator anymore.  It became a mosaic of color and depth with pictures, magnets, Christmas cards, wedding invitations, gym schedule, coupons, and the verses!
My eyes grazed over the verse as I opened the fridge.  I thought to myself  'I should read that verse... I don't even remember what it says..." as I continued to grab the milk with vigor as my Golden Grahams were sitting there, waiting for me, calling out with its mouth-watering honey deliciousness.  I started to walk out of the kitchen... but did a little rock step motion as I looked at the verse on the fridge.

And then it hit me.  
Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

When I wrote this verse down on the magnet last year, it did not mean at all then what it means now.

I have gone through a particular season over the past year that I do not wish to repeat.  This particular season has been dark and dreary.  I, along with others, have been in a tunnel.  There is no light and we are stumbling over anger, bitterness, sadness, impatience, grief, hopelessness, as we shout out in hoarse, cracked voices "Are you there Lord?  Are you even listening to our cries?  Will you ever answer?"

The short answer is yes, of course.  But the above verse speaks loud and clear to me now after experiencing this season.  Many times, I have cried and poured out my heart to the Lord and shouted to him, "I have no hope God... I don't see the light at the end of this tunnel and I honestly feel we'll never get out."

But the Lord has been growing my hope through this.  I am learning what it means to fully trust that the Lord will take care of us when we cry out to Him, when we have hope, when we are in constant prayer.  When we do all of these things, patience washes over us, because we then believe that the Lord will answer our cries.
I am amazed at the husband the Lord has blessed me with; he has been a huge support as I have trudged through this past year's experience.  He has listened, held me when I cried, prayed for the situation at hand, and I thank the Lord for the beautiful blessing of my husband.  If I am a puzzle, he is the missing puzzle piece. He completes me and he feels what I feel.  And I am honored he has chosen to walk beside me in this season.

Romans 12:12 is on my fridge.  I hope it doesn't become the fridge again as it has become a true reminder of the Lord, yet again, providing in His time.  My hope is in you.