Soaring with the Eagles After Being Knocked Down



But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

After a time of grieving the unspeakable tragedy, the traumatized woman commented, “I don’t know how to get up.” Be it through our own actions or the actions of another, life is tough, so, after being knocked down, how do you get up?

            This past Monday morning while praying and trying to make sense of what had happened over the weekend and how to proceed, the following scripture came to mind:

            For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

            In those moments I understood it might not be an easy path, but that God was still in control and He had a plan for me.

She had to learn a new dream: As they said their vows, hope radiated from the young bride’s face. Finally, her dreams for marriage and a family were in reach. Though Grace fought hard and did what it took to keep them all together, the marriage began to unravel. After the husband said some threatening things, she realized her first priority had to be to protect herself and the children, not the dream. Though she probably hopes to remarry someday this woman is hardly languishing in the sadness of broken desires. Successful in her career, and an attentive parent, Grace is the epitome of someone who had the courage to be realistic and then reset her priorities.

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

Sometimes we get off the track and have to pay a price. But again, does that mean that life is over? Chuck Colson who was known as Nixon’s hatchet man went to prison. At some point, this once powerful and seemingly uncaring political aide became a practicing Christian and a changed man. After his confinement he started Prison Fellowship and today that organization services 365,000 incarcerated men and women each year. No one wants to go to prison, but Chuck Colson took the experience, learned from it, and used what he learned by starting an organization that would help others-- what a legacy.

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

            Is the change a problem or because God has a different and better plan: I grew up hearing the following story: Two young men, just out of high school from the eastern part of the United States were on their way to Chicago.  I’ve never heard the reason for the trip, perhaps it was for pleasure or the promise of employment, but when they got to a small Mississippi town, the car broke down. Not able to get it fixed until the next day and with no motels or hotels available, they went to the Junior College and spent the night at the boy’s dormitory. The interesting ending to this saga is that both men stayed and went to school there and then went on to universities. One became a newspaper man and the other a lawyer, and his law firm still stands strong today. My suspicion is that getting a college degree in the east was not affordable, but God knew where they could get an education.

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

           

It’s just not fair: A popular young woman’s senior year in high school was ruined when some parents and students banned together and turned against her ensuring that she would not receive any more honors. Though terribly hurt, she went on to college, married and had a family.

It’s difficult when you believe you or a loved one deserves certain tributes that always or often seem to go to another, or to be treated poorly while the other shines. What do you do?  The scripture For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 still stands. The following story tells the achievements of a brilliant man who generally, if not always, had to go to the back door.

             Laurence C. Jones was an African American who founded The Piney Woods School in south Mississippi in 1909. This historically African-American boarding school for grades 9-12 was to ensure that children of color had a chance to get an education. This school still stands today and is currently the largest African-American boarding school in America.

            Laurence Jones lived during Jim Crowe, a time that was extremely unfair for anyone of the black race. Yet, this educator rose above the realities of the day and went on to receive honors anyone of any color would be proud to own including being the guest and acknowledged for his work on This Is Your Life, a noted T.V. show of the 50’s.  His legacy continues in the education of children today and will for years to come. Few, even those of great privilege will know such success or leave behind such honor.

            Just as the parents and some of the students felt that it wasn’t fair that so many of the accolades went to a certain person, Laurence Jones also understood the unfairness of life. When this happens, we have the choice to fight ugly or seek God.

            Others might get the honors, the job, or whatever seems important and you may feel discredited. I am sure Laurence Jones experienced all of this, but even though he couldn’t change the times or people’s hearts, he achieved noble works.

            There was a plan for this man’s life, as well as the lives of those students who felt overlooked and there is also one for you, no matter the circumstances. To bring good out of bad, we must reach out, accept what God has to offer, and move forward, one day at a time while working to achieve the plan.

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

 



           

 

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 21, 2022 at 9:01 AM

    This is so beautiful and so relevant for the times we live in. I love your blogs, Mary Frances. You are certainly a gifted writer who honors our LORD with the gift He gave you. Blessings my dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary Francis AllenMarch 12, 2022 at 7:31 AM

      Thank you. I do not take lightly writing in the name of our Lord and your encouragement is greatly appreciated.

      Delete

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