[Jdg 6:11 NIV] The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.
I’m working my way through Priscilla Shirer’s study on Gideon and today it was about how threshing amidst the Midianites’ oppression showcases God’s faithful loyalty to His people.
This was particularly timely for me. I overdid it this weekend–to the point that I’ve had to use my wheelchair around the house. I’ve been feeling discouraged and grumpy. It’s the second weekend in a row I’ve been unable to get around the house. Happily, as I wheeled myself to the bathroom, I was struck by God’s grace even here.
Six years ago buying a house wasn’t on our radar until our apartment situation became unsafe. Once we did start looking at houses, we wanted one with a basement. I wasn’t sick at the time and basements are nice during the summer heat around here. But God brought our house to our notice and we fell in love with it, even though it’s a ranch style home without a basement.
Looking in our bathroom this morning, I remembered walking through our house for the first time. The bathroom has a handheld shower head with two locations–one low enough for sitting and one higher up. When we did our walk through, we were naively confused by this. Our realtor told us the previous owner had had health problems and had installed this. She also told us it’d be easier to sell our house later if we got rid of it and any other handicap conveniences. So when we bought our house, we settled. Settled for a single level house with only one step. Settled for a house with handicap inconveniences we thought we’d have to uninstall. Settled for a house with such an open floor plan my wheelchair can get around. Settled for a house with old carpet that’s easy for a wheelchair to get over and won’t matter if it gets wheel marks on it. Settled for so many things that are perfect for us now. God knew we’d need them.
There are times when I feel like God has forgotten us and that’s why I’m sick… that like Gideon, the Midianites are stealing away our crops and such. But when I look around–when I realize there’s still grain to thresh, still evidences that God is taking care of us–I’m re-reminded that God is with us… that my illness wasn’t a surprise to Him… that He has a plan for us, something beautiful He’s working not in spite of my pain, but by means of my pain. It brings such joy to my heart! I love when God gives me tangible reminders. Who would have thought a wacky shower head would come to mean so much? 🙂
