Are you living frustrated because your prayers aren’t being answered the way you want? Your plans aren’t not working out? Like you, I sometimes let things like worries, doubts, and frustrations get to me, too. So, here’s a short story of handling disappointments— reminding us why we should let go of FRUSTRATIONS and WORRIES, continue trusting and doing the right thing even when situations aren’t what we hope to be. A reminder of still doing the right thing and passing our tests in life. A STORY about
“A Young Soldier and a Lady named “Holly” “
During WWII, there was a young soldier in a library in Florida. While he was reading a book, he noticed all the handwritten notes in the margin. They were very thoughtful and heartwarming. He turned to the front of the book and it just so happened, it had the previous owner’s name and address. It was a lady named “Holly” that lived in New York city. He wrote her a letter introducing himself– telling how he was about to be shipped off overseas to Europe the next day. He invited to respond and they could talk about the book. Much to his surprise, he received a letter in return. For the next 13 months, they wrote back and forth. Again and again–getting closer and closer. They were actually falling in love yet they have never seen each other. He had requested a picture but she refused. A year and a half later, he was coming back home through New York city. This was their big opportunity, they were going to meet for the first time and go out for dinner. she said, “I’ll be waiting for you when you get off the ship. You’ll know it’s me by the pink rose I’ll be wearing. Sailing back across the ocean, he was so excited and so nervous at the same time. He stepped of the ship. The big moment finally arrived. this beautiful young lady came walking toward him. She took his breath away. She was stunning tall, gorgeous features —in great shape. She looked like a movie star. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He was so taken aback by it. He didn’t realize she wasn’t wearing a pink rose and she passed on by. He finally came back down to earth. About that time, this lady in her 40s, walked up to him. She wasn’t necessarily attractive. Had graying hair and just so happened she was wearing a pink rose. Disappointed but not showing it, he walked up to her with a smile. He saluted and said, “Hello, ma’am. You must be Holly. I’m so glad to meet you. Can I take you to dinner?” The lady said, “Son, I’m not sure what’s going on, but the young lady that just passed you asked me to wear this pink rose. She said if you invited me to dinner to tell you she’ll be waiting for you in the restaurant across the way.
It was just simply a test. Will you do the right thing when its hard? Will you trust God when it’s not what you thought? When you don’t understand it? God said to Abraham, because you did not withhold your only son, I would surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the sand in the seashore.
When you do like Abraham and this young soldier, and you pass the trust test, God will not only give you the desires of your heart, he’ll do more than you can ask or think. Are you living frustrated because your prayers aren’t being answered the way you want? Your plans aren’t not working out? Take the pressure off God is in control. Trust Him unconditionally.
When God sees that you don’t have to have it, many times, God will give you back what you are willing to give up.
Joel Osteen‘s short story in his sermon “Unconditional Trust” Mar 26, 2017 on YouTube
Some Random Thoughts 