Learn From Problems

TITLE: The Stone Bracelet
SCRIPTURE: Romans 5:1-5
AUDIO: listen here
THE STORY FOR TODAY:
Anna plunked herself down on the sofa, and tears filled her eyes. "First my kitten disappeared, then I ruined my favorite shirt, and now my best friend is leaving. It isn't fair!" she cried.
"I'm sorry, honey," soothed Mom. "Can you trust God to teach you through these things He's allowed to happen?"
Anna sniffed. "I don't want to learn," she said. "I just want things back the way they were before."
Mom looked at Anna thoughtfully and then left the room. Soon she came back with a box, which she placed on the table. "These are stones I picked up long ago when we were on a trip to the Black Hills," said Mom. "The bracelet you're wearing is made of stones, so . . . would you be willing to trade it for these stones?"
Anna looked at her bracelet. "Why would I do that?" she asked. "The stones in this box are rough and dull and dirty. Those in my bracelet are smooth and shiny." She glanced at her mother suspiciously. "What are you getting at, Mom?"
Mom smiled. "Well, I originally intended to have these polished and used in jewelry," she said, "but I never got around to it, so they've just been laying around, enjoying an easy life. Those in your bracelet had a rougher time. They've been tumbled around with sand and other stones. The sharp edges have been ground off, and the stones have been rubbed to make them shine. All that rough treatment made them beautiful, didn't it?" Mom paused. "Our lives are something like that," she added. "When difficult things happen to us, some of our 'rough edges' get polished off. We may not like what's happening, but God often uses those hard times to 'polish' and improve us."
"I don't see how the things happening to me can improve me!" mumbled Anna.
"Maybe losing Whiskers helps you understand how others feel when they lose someone they love," suggested Mom. "I think ruining your blouse has already taught you to be careful. And having your best friend move may help you be more friendly to others kids who don't have a best friend." She gave Anna a hug. "Trust God, and allow those things to make you a more caring person."
MEMORY VERSE: We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance. Romans 5:3
HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you feel like you're being bumped around by circumstances? Maybe the Lord wants to polish off a few more rough edges. What lesson can you learn from what's happening in your life? Have you had a rainy day? Did you allow it to help you appreciate the sun more? Have you been sick? Did it make you thankful for days when you feel good? Have you been lonesome? Did it make you willing to spend time with someone else who is lonely? Learn from all the experiences God allows in your life.
THE KEY: Learn from problems

I feel bumped around all right...to the point I can't do my job of keeping house, feeding my animals, and raising my kids in God's ways. I'm not sure what lesson is to be learned other than I'm unable to do anything in my own strength. My husband says the lesson to be learned is to listen to him and obey him. I would if I could. I'm lonesome allright, but it doesn't make me want to spend time with others. I feel like poison to everyone when I'm like this. I reach out to others when I'm well. I look for ones struggling with deperssion that I can pray with and encourage. When I reach out when I'm like this, the rejection and criticism from others just makes the wounds deeper. I'll try to learn whatever it is God is trying to teach me. I do want to learn. The saga goes on. I will be changed some day. Oh how I look forward to that.