Robbers or Reapers?

Well, hello there! Tomorrow is the first day of June, which means we’re almost halfway through the Year of Joy, and so I thought I would check in and share what God has been doing in my life lately. I’ve shared that this year was all about accepting this season of life for what it is and living patiently—not passively, but patiently. This year isn’t about keeping myself busy while the days pass, but fighting for every inch of life that Christ died to give me. And that battle was for Joy.

Each day I add photos to an album to keep me accountable, and on the days that aren’t photo worthy I quietly count the day’s gifts in my journal. This exercise has become one of my favorite parts of the day, and by the end of this entry, you’ll know why.

Today I’m going to write about thieves. Because life is full of them.  Life is also full of seasons. When I think back on my life to this point, I remember seasons of growth and seasons when painful pruning had to take place because the green good started to brown and spoil. I remember times of pure joy and moments of utter sorrow. We all have them. Life can be tough.  In fact, Jesus says, “In the world you WILL have tribulation.” Thank God the verse doesn’t end there. He finishes, “But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” I take comfort in the fact that Jesus didn’t sugarcoat it. Life is hard. Life is meant to be hard. But we have a Savior who makes it bearable.

So, we’re settled then? Life isn’t the perfect picture that we paint on the walls of our social media outlets? Okay, then let’s move on and talk about thieves. In my reading in the last month or so, I came across a verse in John that I had heard many, many times, but for some reason this time I really heard it: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).” I felt truly convicted as I started pondering this verse. How many things had I allowed Infertility to take from me? It’s a given that with our diagnosis, the dream of having a family might not be realistic. Short of a miracle, that was something that we had to accept. But all of the things that I let fall by the wayside because of Infertility—did I have to accept those things too?

The answer is simply, “NO.” The truth is Christ promises that He uses EVERYTHING for our good. He promises that the things that come to rob you, can in fact, add to your life. You may find yourself in what seems like a hopeless situation and you’re wondering how it can possibly be used for good, what there is to possibly gain. I can’t answer that for you, but I can be an encouragement to you in your time of need. I can share my own story and pray that it reaches you on a level that resonates and inspires. What has become a thief in your life? Join me in putting your foot down and saying, “Enough is enough!”

Thieves come in all shapes and sizes. They can creep into our lives and we may not even be aware. Example: About a year into our struggle (Almost two years ago), I would catch myself thinking awful things as I would pass a pregnant woman—things like “What did she do to deserve that?” I didn’t even know these women, yet I felt entitled to judge their situation. I was knocked down to my knees shortly after and the lesson I learned has never left me: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I had to learn a tough lesson that day. I had come to a point in my life when having children had moved into the place that Christ was supposed to have in my life, and I began to filter everything in my life through THAT lens instead of the Christ lens. Because of that I became discontent and bitter and that gave way to my constant comparisons. Cue the painful pruning. You see, I began to put my worth and security into the fact that I couldn’t bear children, yet another form of successful thievery.

Comparison is not only a thief, it’s dangerous to the wellness of our souls. The world tells you that your worth is equal to your annual salary. Or to the square-footage of your home. Or in the number of promotions you have received. The world tells you that your worth lies in your title, or the number of children you bear. The world tells us that we have to be better. Be better.

How can we ever measure up in a world like that?

Jesus says, “No. You are enough for Me just the way you are. Let Me be enough for you.”

Let’s tear down the notions that life is perfect. Let’s stop pretending that it is. Let’s stop comparing our lives to the lives of the ones we love. Let’s stop trying to “one up” them and start helping them get to where they need to be. Let’s be encouragers. Lifters. Helpers.

Because these thieves that run rampant make life hard enough. They don’t need our help. Our neighbors need our help. Our brothers need our help. Our sisters need our help. The pregnant woman I compared my situation to, she may need my help. The girl you made fun of at lunch today, she may need your help. Life is hard. Let’s not make it harder.

I heard a quote that I can’t shake: “The only reason you should be looking into your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure they have enough.”

So if life is hard right now and you happen to be comparing your season of life to someone else’s, are you feeling the need to compete like I had? Let’s die to that competition together. Our worth isn’t in the things of this world. Maybe you have someone in your life that constantly brings the competition. I know that can be stressful. What if you didn’t participate? What if you pushed them along and said, “Here. You go on ahead of me.”

Because, really, it’s okay to not have the best things, to not be in the best season of your life right now. I urge you to stay there, in the season you’re in, and ask what needs to be learned here. This season doesn’t have to rob you.

“Trials don’t get to steal from followers of Christ unless we hand over the goods. In fact, they’re commanded to give goods to us if we’re willing to receive them. Robbers or reapers, it’s up to us.” –Beth Moore