When it all doesn't go as you want.

The other day Olivia was complaining that we couldn't do something and I was reminded of a story I read once-

An old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "may be," said the farmer.

Technically the story could keep going and I believe that when good things happen, you should rejoice, because as a believer, I believe all good things come from Him, that being said....I told her about this story and as I reflected on it while relaying it to her, I was struck with the fact that this is something I really struggle with. I am so quick to judge a day, letting one bad event spoil the whole day. But I cannot see the big picture.

Today, Luke didn't get a job we were very much hoping for. I didn't realize how badly I had wanted him to get it till it was gone. It would have meant, more pay, less hours, a desk job close to home and insurance. But again, I was reminded about this. It would be SO easy for me to call this a bad day and judge it. To say there was no good in it and how could God allowed us not to get such a good job? But I have to believe that perhaps we were spared something, maybe there is something better, or perhaps it just wasn't the time for him to go there. Maybe they will hire this other person, have it not work out and hire Luke, or find a different position for him...? I'm thankful my Lord sees the bigger picture and I can rest that the ebb and flow of our "good" days  and "bad" days are still full of Him because He is in me and all around me.