WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

Madeleine L’Engle (1918-2007) wrote, “It is when things go wrong, when the good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly. There is no such thing as belief without doubt or struggle.”
The interesting thing to me is that ‘when things go wrong’ is also the most difficult time for me to pray. I find myself instead intensifying my own efforts rather than seeking the Father. Even with a good deal of experience in these matters I still must carefully watch myself in where I first turn for help. Doubt and struggle can do that to a person. I find that I sound like the father of the child with an unclean spirit who cried out:
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Gospel of Mark 9:24)

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus