My times are in Your hands

It's November 1.  The first day of a new month.  The first day of the 11th month in my year of trust.  I don't understand how the time has gone so quickly.  It amazes me, really.  I have learned so much in this year, and yet at times I think I haven't learned enough.  Thank goodness that time continues, that even after December 31, 2011, I can continue on in my journey with the Lord...learning new facets of the word trust, learning new ways to open my life to what God has in store for me.

The last couple of days I have been drawn to Psalm 31...the pages of my Bible seem to open there of their own accord.  David is distressed as he writes this Psalm...sorrowful, sighing.  In verse 12 he says, "I have become like a broken vessel."  Oh, how I know that feeling in this past year.  I have felt cracked, shattered, broken, and scattered.  I wonder if, like Humpty Dumpty, I can be put back together again in any semblance of wholeness.  I wonder if I have lost the ability to see truth, to love, to hold onto joy.  I wonder if God sees me or if He is too busy with the problems and plights of others to bother with me.  I can so relate to David's words in this Psalm as he questions his own life and existence, "I have been forgotten like one who is dead."

But like David, I eventually also see the hand that reaches out to me.  The one that created all things.  The one that holds me close and helps me.  "For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."  Isaiah 41:13   Ah, He holds my hand.  My heavenly Father helps me to cross that busy street of life safely.  He gives me the assurance that in Him, I do not need to fear or worry because He IS there.  Thank God!!  Literally!

David says in verses 14-15... But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."  My times are in your hand.   Yes, David! Remember who HE is!  I trust in YOU, O Lord.  Yes.  There's that word.  Trust.  My times are in His hands.  Like David, it is time to turn from the whining, the sorrow, the sighing.  It is time to remember God, our BIG God, is in control.  Not only does He hold my hand and help me, but my times are in His hands.  My times.  The things that happen.  My days.  My situations.  My times are in your hands, God.  The good times, the bad times, the mis-timed times.  When I lose patience and think that time is running out, or hasn't come yet, or is all wrong for something...thankfully He has patience.  He knows the proper timing of everything...the big picture, the rest of the story.

And so my job is to trust Him.  He is my God. He helps me.  My times are in His hands.  Trust HIM.   He alone can make me whole.  He alone can fulfill all things in me and create joy.  He alone can give me strength to cope.  And patience to wait for the right time.  I can trust Him to provide all I need.

And I am thankful.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 (NIV)

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.