Resolution-Now!

Those points narrowly missed
The ball that was not caught
The championship out of reach
The contest, in vain we fought.

The unwelcomed grade school transfer
The move we came to regret
That person who mistreated us
Or, failed to pay his debt.

The untimely loss of a job, or
A promotion for which we heard, “No.”
The child we always wanted, but
Its arrival alluded us so.

That one we always loved, yet
Our love was not returned—or,
Our love was shared, then lost!
Never regained, only spurned.

That illness we knew would pass
Yet, healing never came
That loved one who was taken
And we never were the same.

These are the griefs we share
Our times past—filled with pain
Tender spots in our hearts
Memories which haunt our brains.

It’s not for us to understand,
Explain, each cross we bear.
They come that we may grow in grace,
Humility, and comfort to share.

Lord, help us to accept that,
“Resolution—now!” cannot be.
“The end is better than the beginning.” ¹
And, in the end, we all will see.

1. Ecclesiastes 7:8

 © 2015 gratefulsue
back to Beautiful and Difficult

December 10, 2021
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I crave resolution for all of the disappointments and unanswered questions in my life. Don’t you? This is especially true when life events are unexpected and undesirable, or painful. Unfortunately, we often don’t know God’s explanation for why some bad things happen. Ever.

I wrote this poem over 20 years ago and it is still true today. Just this week, I was shocked to learn that the 27-year-old son of my friend died suddenly and unexpectedly from a pre-existing medical condition. He left behind a wife and two young sons: ages 3, and 8 months old. My heart cried out, “Why now, Lord? He was such a great person and had so much to live for! Everyone is devastated!”

Later, I was thinking about the fact that God is merciful and wondering how God’s mercy related to this tragedy. (God’s mercy is indisputably evidenced through Jesus Christ’s coming to earth to save sinful, undeserving people—by dying in their place and making a pathway open up for forgiveness.) I know this young man had already survived at least one other life-threatening event in his lifetime. Perhaps God in His mercy had already extended his life once (or, perhaps more than once). We just don’t know.

Occasionally, we are surprised to experience some redeeming aspect of our past heartaches, many years later. That’s always helpful. Yet, what a difference it will make to see things from God’s eternal perspective! As a believer in Christ Jesus, I have that hope. One day, when I enter eternity, many unanswered questions will be resolved!