The pout started to form across her quivering lips and tears began to swell in her eyes as she cried out “I want a do over!” “This ride just wasn’t long enough!” “It’s not fair!” The blue eyed, blond haired, little girl wanted her own way, and she wanted it NOW.
Fast forward almost forty years,the now grown woman paces back and forth on the carpeted floors of her living room floor. The hour is late, the clock strikes midnight, and the sound of the grandfather clock reverberates across the house where most have gone to sleep. Tears fill her eyes, and sweat forms across her brow as she raises her fists in the air to her Heavenly Father, “It’s not fair God! I have served you all my life and this is what I get! I want a do over! I want to change the circumstances! I want things to be different, and I want it NOW!” She crumpled into a heap on the sofa and the sound of her sobs began to fill the stillness of the night.
Have you ever been in the place of the woman sobbing on the couch? Have you ever wanted a do over? I know I’ve been in her place. The thing is…. we don’t have to be.
Have you heard that still small whisper rising above the voices of doubt and anxiety that run through your mind? The voice that brings with it peace and calm to your weary soul. That’s the voice of the Savior. He’s saying something He wants you to hear…..”Give it up”. He says,”Give it back to me.” Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. The problem happens when we think we know best, when we have to take control. We have to come to a place of total surrender…surrendering to His will, yes letting go of our expectations and desires and coming to an acceptance of His plans. We need to have faith and trust to empty our hands of the problems and put them in God’s hands.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:11
The next thing we need to do is leave the problems there. Even though it’s hard to understand or see, we need to have the faith that He will work everything out according to His plan. We need to accept the fact that it will be His plan and not ours, knowing that His plan is best.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
There are no do overs in life. However, God does give us the chance to learn and do things differently when He is given control of our lives. There is freedom in having faith and trust in our Savior. A freedom that can be found in letting go. The load we try to carry on our own becomes so much lighter when we are willing to surrender it all to Him.
What are you holding onto today? Let it go friends and rest in His sweet presence.
Shari is the wife to her husband Bill, and a mother to two precious gifts from God. Shari is a stage IV breast cancer survivor. She lives each day striving to give God the glory for all that He has done in her life. You can find Shari blogging about her life’s journey, encouragment for leaving a Godly legacy, and hope in Jesus at, Leaving A Legacy
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There is so much freedom in giving it all to Him. When we surrender that control we desire to have over our lives, He places peace in our heart. Not a bad exchange:) Thanks, Shari!
I agree, a great exchange! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessings~
Shari
It’s true, there is so much peace when we give it up to Him! And sometimes I grab it back… but then you just got to give it up again! Great post Shari:) Blessings!
Thank you Heidi. I have the same problem with taking it back too. It’s a daily learning process.
Blessings~
Shari
Shari, I love this encouragement. We don’t have to been in that desperate place wanting a do over. We only need to seek God. Beautiful.
Thank your friend!
Lovely, encouraging story! I like the way you drew the portrait of the child and the woman, still feeling those same questions.
I thought I’d link up one I wrote last fall when I was undergoing radiation treatments (I allude to a personal hurdle in the story, but didn’t want to be explicit on my own blog) – and how the Lord lifted my heart in one moment. I think He has extravagant “scarlet ribbons” of His love and joy for us all…
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, He is so very good to us!
Blessings~
Shari
Beautiful encouragement, Shari. Yes, I’ve cried out wanting a do-over before. But in hindsight those are the times when the Lord has grown me and shaped me the most. Wouldn’t trade that for anything!
I agree! The hard times are what produce great growth and maturity that I wouldn’t trade for anything!
Blessings~
Shari
1Peter5:7 KJV
One of my favorite verses!
I love this…I can really relate to the little girl AND the grown woman. He never said life would be fair but He did promise us life in abundance with Him.
I am so glad for the abundance with Him. Amen!
Praise God that we don’t need a do-over, because He did it once and for all, with His death on the cross paying the debt for all our sins. May we release all our burdens to Him and receive His blessings in exchange.
Thanks for the great post & linkup, & God bless!
Laurie
Thank you for your kind words!
Blessings~
Shari
Love this, Sheri, and love your blog. You have the gift of encouragement. Thank you for sharing your heart today. Thank you, Denise, for sharing your space!
Thank you so much for your kind words Tereasa. Thank you Denise for allowing me to guest post today!
Blessings~
Shari
So many times I have thought I’d like a do over. But, have you noticed that once you make it through that valley or difficult spot in the journey, and you look back…you really wouldn’t change a thing. Do I generally like walking on those difficult paths? No. But, the growth that comes is priceless. And looking back…it’s all good.