When KC was little (about 3 or 4) he was standing outside with his dad and I as we put gas into my car. I had turned to ask Kev something when I heard KC screaming hysterically. I spun around to see that the hose pumping the gas had been removed from the car while it was still pumping gas.
Another customer at the next pump gave me a bottle of water which we splashed on his face. Then put him in the car and headed to Children’s urgent care.
Because they were concerned with the fact that some gas may have gotten in his eyes, they consulted with an eye doctor. He instructed them to flush his eyes out with a liter of saline solution. So, the nurse administered the saline solution with a small tube attached to it, while his father held his feet and I laid across his body and held his arms.
Less than five minutes into this process KC started yelling “I’m done, I’m done seriously done!!!”
Since that day there have been many times when Kev and I have looked at each other an spoken those words. Most of the time we are joking trying to make the best out of our circumstances. But there have been a few times throughout the years when we have looked up and echoed those words to God, letting Him know we don’t like the circumstances that we are in.
I wonder how many times God has just shaken His head as we yell out to Him “We’re done, seriously done!”
In the Bible it says that we are to “Trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6), and that we are to “Give Him praise in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) This very hard to do when you are in the middle of a “storm”. When you see no end to the circumstances that you are going through, no matter how you got there. It is very easy to scream and yell “I’m done, seriously done.” As we stand in the middle of the storm, God is there. Believe it or not He is in control. Trust me, I know it doesn’t feel that way. You feel alone and you don’t see any way out and that there is no way out.
I look at the Story of Joseph and wonder if he ever wanted to look up and tell God he was done, seriously done. Joseph was stripped of his colorful tunic, thrown into a well and then sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver, by his brothers! (Genesis 37:23-30). He was accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into jail, because he wouldn’t sleep with her. (Genesis 39:7-20) He then interpreted a dream for the chief cup bearer and asked to be remembered, but wasn’.t (Genesis 40:23) Yep, I would definitely be yelling I’m done, seriously done.
As I read over the story of Joseph, I noticed five little words that are repeated “The Lord was with Joseph”. (Genesis 39: 2 & 21) Even in the mist of the storm, God was there. Even though things didn’t go as Joseph wanted or thought they should go, God was there. Even when it wasn’t his doing, God was there.
Most of you know where the story of Joseph goes, he became second in command in Egypt, the only one greater was Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:38-45) God restored him, Joseph trusted, and God brought him through.
There it is, God brought him through the storm and He will bring us through as well. When you are ready to yell. “I’m done, seriously done.” Stop and take a breath and let the God of all things know that you are struggling and can’t do it on your own. That you are ready to step back. Thank Him for where you are and where He is going to take you. Then sit in the stillness of His presence and let Him speak to you.
Because even in the midst of the storm, even when you are screaming, I’m done, seriously done, God is with you.
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