It Ain't Over Until God Says It's Over

 

As I finish the work week and I reflect on what I've had to push through, this saying brings me comfort.  The anniversary of my mother's passing approaches and I'm certain she's with me as she reminds me, as it was during her extended illness that - "it ain't over until God says it's over".  When she slipped from this world into the next, laying in my arms as I tried to talk her out of it, she literally announced to me that she was leaving - God had spoken and it was over.  Moments later while the tears flowed, I felt a strange sense of victory and peace. 

You see, more than 7 years earlier, what seemed like the insurmountable events surrounding her diagnosis of ovarian cancer, felt like the greatest defeat.  As it is also said "God's ways are not our ways - His thoughts are not our thoughts."  It wouldn't occur to me that God would take what was meant for evil (her illness) and use it to bring strength, victory and hope to our family, to those closest to us, to the nurses and doctors and to those who learned of our journey.  But that's exactly what happened.  In me, I think the biggest transformation came in the form of an eternal perspective.  It helps me set aside the temptation to show up in the world as others think I need to be, but instead to celebrate all of who I am.

Many who know me believe that I've had it all together all my life.  What most don't know is that I have been fighting for my literal and spiritual life since I was old enough to declare God's word, pray over or with anybody, old enough to worship in song during a church service or speak in front of people.

So what about you?  That thing that won't leave your spirit, that thing that follows you in your quiet moments, that stands at the back of the crowd in your outrageous victories, that you wish wasn't your burden to bear, that thing that tries to convince you that it's stronger than you are - it's not.  YOU have authority to speak life to and over whatever that thing is.  And please don't get distracted about feeling like this is a religious thing (where else do you get defensive towards something meant to help you).  It's not about pretending.  It's about remembering how many choices you have.

My mother could have just given up and carried her illness in her countenance, in her interactions, relationships and circumstances.  She had good reason.  But she was too intent on being a blessing.  She was hungrier to discover the life she had left to live.  When didn't feel well, she rested.  She surrounded herself with people who would help her heal and rest, but THE SECOND she felt her strength return, she was back at it. It was that kind of witness that encouraged the rest of us to lay our excuses down and get back at it.  Whether you are Christian or not, what's your witness?

Redirect your energy.   Feelings of doubt, fear, hesitation, depression standing by you?  Got it.  I get it.  Do something for me.  Pick one "other" thing to do today.  Don't sit around and wait for your feelings to catch up with you mind.  Just go do it.  Go work out.  Go visit that elderly neighbor.  Go to that volunteer meeting.  Go to Friday night service.  Go meet your friend for dinner. Reorganize your office.  Pick a pile to file away. Take your ill-fitting clothes to the thrift store. Send a couple of greeting cards to someone who will least expect it.

Until God's says it's over (whatever "it" is for you), you've got work you were born to do.  Worst case scenario is someone else will do what you were meant to do.  Best case is - YOU will do it and discover what it means when you hear me say "It ain't over until God says it over".

Love,

k-