Last March, I began communicating with a man I had met on-line. He was a handsome business owner and a dedicated father who was involved in his church and community. After a month of text messages and phone calls we agreed to meet in person. To say that I was excited would have been an understatement. Since he was coming from another city and I hadn’t agreed to date anyone for the past three years, I had already begun to lightly sketch him into my life’s painting as my possible Boaz.
As I was getting ready for my date, my hopes were high. Putting on my makeup I felt like a schoolgirl preparing for the prom. Even though it was just a lunch date, I wore a nice dress and high heels. “This might be it,” I said to myself, “After 17 years of singleness, I might be meeting the One God has been preparing for me.”
Ten minutes into our date my high hopes turned into hope deferred. Not only was there a lack of chemistry, I found him to be incredibly boring and materialistic.
I don’t cry often, but after I got home I bawled like a baby. That night I asked for prayer and my pastors prayed for me.
When I awoke the following morning, past scenarios in my life were running through my head like movie clips. Anytime I had trusted God and obeyed Him, even in the midst of difficult seasons, I was thankful because I could now see the blessings. It was the times when I had disobeyed God or made decisions based upon what looked good to me that had caused me grief and filled me with regret.
I had recited the phrase “God is good!” many times, but that morning I understood God’s goodness at a whole new level. God is not only is good, He always knows what is good for me. Even when the packaging of my circumstances didn’t look or feel good, He was always good.
I wrote the following poem during a discouraging season. At that time it was difficult for me to see God’s goodness; but I can clearly see it now. I pray it will bless you.
Wrappings
Two packages lay before me,
One elegant; one plain.
The one in finest wrapping.
The other brown with string.
With delight I grabbed the first one;
Gently removed the bows
And folded down the paper
While anticipation rose.
But disappointment surfaced
Almost immediately
As I opened up the box
And it contents I did see.
For instead of finest treasures
Of diamonds or of gold,
It was filled with thorns and thistles
And miseries untold.
So reluctantly I reached out
And placed the second on the floor.
With its drab and plain appearance
What horrors were in store?
Then cautiously I cut
The fraying well-worn string,
Removed the plain brown paper
And opened up the awful thing.
All disappointment left
As delight filled up my soul
For in that plain and simple package
Were treasures to behold.
Sometimes God’s greatest gifts
Are hidden for a season.
It’s often later down the road
We understand the reason.
Jeannie Boatright
I have learned that sometimes the most incredible gifts come in the most unusual packages.
May you be abundantly blessed!
Jeannie
photo from Pixabay