A Life Hack - You’re Welcome

If you want to see me get lost on the internet, just lure me in with a post about life hacks.

I’m in awe of people who’ve run into frustrating everyday challenges and had the levelheadedness to find a simple, easy solution. Tips for cleaning, organizing, packing for trips – you name it. Life hacks make my heart happy.

The day I “discovered” slow cooker liners? Life-changing. When I learned how to hem pants with iron-on bonding tape? Mind blown! When it occurred to me that I could cut a Magic Eraser sponge into smaller pieces? Something major shifted in my soul.

You see the kind of person you’re dealing with here? Common sense runs in short supply between my ears. That’s why even the simplest life hacks just amaze me and why life hackers are my heroes.

I’m forever in debt to the folks who sit atop the Mountain of Common Sense and look down condescendingly on folks like me, shaking their heads and muttering, “Bless your hearts. Here’s a life hack for y’all.” At some point, they’ve found themselves in a bind and have been able to conjure up some out-of-the-box solution that actually works better than the normal plan of attack. Then they’re kind enough to share that idea in the form of a life hack, sparing mere mortals like me time, energy, and frustration.

Because I’m so impractically minded, I’m delighted to be able to share with you today my very own life hack – all in the effort to make your life a little easier. Buckle up because this one’s a game-changer! Are you ready?!

Don’t run away from God.

When life gets tough, some would have you believe that the easiest way out is to run as far from God as you can. I speak from experience (and hope to spare you a little pain and agony) when I tell you that’s a dead-end plan.

Several years ago, struggles in my life were piling up, and the load was getting heavy. Work dynamics were hard. A long-time friend who was a great family man and follower of Jesus was losing his battle with cancer. I was physically exhausted and emotionally empty. My prayers seemed to hit the ceiling and fall right back down, never even reaching the ears of God.

“Why waste my time?” I thought. So I stopped praying. I put my Bible on the shelf. While my husband faithfully attended church each week, I stayed in my p.j.s and read every page and sales flyer in the Sunday paper. I ran away from God.

I was disillusioned and doubting. But God was merciful and patient. He waited for me.

On Mother’s Day that year, my sweet husband left for church while I slept in. When I went to pour my first cup of coffee, I found a letter he’d written to me. His words were gentle but full of truth. He reminded me of the reality of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness – in spite of circumstances and in spite of my emotions. That sheet of paper was used by the Lord to spark a dying ember into a flame of hope and to resuscitate my failing faith.

I picked up the Word that afternoon – for the first time in a very long time – and turned to John 6. Towards the end of the chapter, Jesus laid out some hard teaching, and many of His disciples began to turn away from Him. Jesus then turned to those remaining and asked them if they, too, wanted to leave.

Peter’s passionate response hit me hard that day. In verse 68, he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

I’m not sure where I thought I’d find answers and peace aside from the Lord, but reading that story in John jolted me to my senses. I knew – as I’d always known deep down inside – that Jesus was the only One I could run to with my pain, the only One Whose sovereign plans would ultimately end in good.

Friend, if you’re wrestling in your faith right now, latch on to my life hack. Take it from someone who knows. When life got hard, this girl laced up her shoes and headed for the hills instead of for God’s heart. Spare yourself the loneliness and emptiness of the prodigal route, and don’t run away from God!

Run to God! He can handle your hurt, your disillusionment, and your frustration. At the moment of surrender, you’ll find mercy and goodness that were there for you all along.

There’s your life hack for the day. You’re welcome.