Remember the Push Up

A few years ago, I wrote an article on how God uses push ups. My testimony went something like this:
When I joined the Army in '89, I needed to do only one push up and I was off to basic training. When my time came, I couldn't do even one. Not ONE. I was so frustrated with myself and with God. Because of that moment in time, I had to go to what is called, "Fit Co," where its members are required to do eight hours of PE for two weeks solid. Then they are tested again (now 15 pushups) and off they go to basic. I did my time and graduated, two weeks behind. When I got to Chaplain's School (training for my job), I missed the class by two weeks. They all went to Panama. (Do you remember that wonderful conflict?) Then when I graduated and got to my duty station, I was once again two weeks late and missed assignment into Signal Company (known for going to the field). The guy that replaced me was the first person to go to Desert Storm. A lousy push up saved me from going to war twice. I honestly believe that God used a push up.

This weekend I found out that my thesis had been rejected. This means that I will graduate six months later than I anticipated. My first response was frustration with myself and with God. (Sound familiar?) Then God really began to speak to me. There is a reason for this set back. I am in a car and God is in the helicopter. He can see the road blocks and I need to mind the detours. This is a push up that I haven't been able to perform. But with prior experience, I can see that God's ways may not make sense now, but 20/20 hindsight will be amazing. I just need to trust Him and His timing. He will get me through this. Yes, it is more painful. But in Romans it talks about how trials give us perseverance, character and hope. I must cling to this and to God. A push up never killed anyone and neither will this set back.

"Thank you Lord for looking out for me. I trust You're in control." Amen.