Often in life when things are going well, we believe falsely we can handle things on our own.  After all, fortune has smiled on us and we become prideful in our hearts.  One day tragedy strikes.  Our hearts ache and hurt.  Tears fill our eyes, and it is then our hearts become more receptive to God’s Word.  I have found that to be the case with most people.

We once worked for a couple and had they not told us, we would never have guessed they were members of the Lord’s church.  They participated in all the world has to offer.  We lost track of them until one day they showed for my brother-in-law’s funeral.  Somehow a funeral grounds people about reality and the brevity of life. It is in those brief moments all of us are brought face to face with stark reality and it could just as easily have been us lying in the casket.  We never know what a day may bring forth.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”     (Proverbs 27:1)

I remember looking into their eyes and seeing the shock and disbelief of their friend having died so unexpectedly.  And for a brief amount of time, they seemed to take it to heart.  Though they didn’t say anything, I believe, at least for that day, they knew they needed to repent and become faithful again.  I pray they did.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting:  for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.  Sorrow is better than laughter:  for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”      (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4)

“David believed that when his enemies were overthrown, the people would hear his words.  For his words would be pleasant, equitable and just, in contrast with the deceit and bitterness of evil men.  It was his conviction that when the ringleaders who had been cruel persecutors of the people were hurled down “into stony places,” the rest would listen to godly instruction.  Calamity often opens hearts to receive teaching.  In the midst of health and prosperity, there are those who have no disposition to listen.  But when the storm strikes and they are left beaten and bruised amidst the wreckage, they are more inclined to take heed.  Standing there on the rubbish of disappointment and insecurity, stripped of haughtiness, arrogance and self-sufficiency, the aching heart is more receptive.

Joseph’s brethren had to be brought low before they were ready to look up.    (Genesis 44:16)

Jonah had to be swallowed by the big fish before he would listen.         (Jonah 2, 3)

Paul had to be struck blind before he could see.       (Acts 9:1-6)

Indeed, some people can never sail to a fairer land except on the vessel called hardship for when they board the luxury liner they head for the opposite port.”
~ Leroy Brownlow

“When their judges are overthrown in stony places they shall hear my word; for they are sweet.”   (Psalm 141:6

“Each tear is a poet, a healer, a teacher.”      ~Lazuli

Eileen Light