Up Crap Creek

I remember when I was growing up my Father had a saying that aptly describes how I feel this morning. When things were going badly for someone he would say; “Buddy, it looks like your up ‘crap’ creek in a chicken wire canoe without a paddle”.(expletive removed). And when I lived in Florida we had a saying; “When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your original objective was to drain the swamp”…

This morning I feel tired, a little beat up, and worn out. I know in the book of James it tells us:
(James 1:2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

And I would love to tell you that I got that thing down pat… but I was reading in Lamentations this morning, and I found that the words of Jeremiah have more of a familiar ring to them…

(Lamentations 3:1-18)
I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light;
indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.
He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones.
He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.
He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.
Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.
He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.
Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding,
he dragged me from the path and mangled me and left me without help.
He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows.
He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver.
I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long.
He has filled me with bitter herbs and sated me with gall.
He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust.
I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.
So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD."

I know Jeremiah was watching the destruction of Israel when he penned these words, so his plight and mine are far from the same. But I found a certain sense of familiarity with the feelings he poured onto the page.

The latter part of this chapter opens the door for Gods hand of mercy and compassion, but it would be some time into the future before Israel would see this side of God again… It makes me wonder when I too will see His mercy and compassion in this period of my earthly life, and this arduous chapter of my existence will begin to close.

The ship I sail is not my own, the course set before me is unseen beyond the moment.
Though my ship burns, still I do not feel the flames.
Though it is cast upon the shoals, yet I have no fear.
Though my mind is numb I still have clarity of purpose.
Though the pain of life overwhelms me yet I still can find peace...

(Job 13:15-17 )
Though he slays me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.
Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless man would dare come before him!