Help In The Hard Parts

Help in the Hard Parts

The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Some may think that if you were the lone teacher of twenty-five children, the hardest part would be maintaining control of the class. But in the winter, the hardest part of a teacher’s day may just be getting to and from school.

In the Allen County, Adams County, and Nappanee settlements, most Amish teachers are able to drive a buggy to school, since they live no more than several miles from the school. The greatest problem with buggy travel in all three of these settlements is that a major highway, a heavily traveled two-lane road, bisects each of these Amish communities. Many drivers drive at or above the speed limit of fifty-five miles per hour, and there is only a blinking caution light at one major intersection of an artery used by the Amish. I know teachers who must cross such busy highways every day on their way to school. I have seen driving horses get unruly having to wait to cross; I have seen one horse bolt at an inappropriate moment. Several times in winter, when the roads were very treacherous, I have seen large trucks bear down unmercifully on Amish buggies, frightening both horses and their drivers. I often thought on my way to school that I would arrive exhausted and shaking if I had to cross such roads early on a winter morning.

Is there a part of your day that frazzles your nerves? Maybe you feel troubles or challenges running at you like fast-moving vehicles on slick roads, and your whole body is tensed, just waiting to be hit. If so, cling to Psalm 5:12: “You bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love.”

God is the One who strengthens His people. God is the One who grants them peace. God surrounds them—us—with His shield of love.

We will never have a day without frustrations. We will never have a week without worries. We will never have a month without tears. When the hard parts of our days come, God is with us. And with Him comes peace.

Dear heavenly Father, I know today will have its difficulties. I also know that with You I can face them.