God Restores the Years of the Locust

Mary had another breakthrough. It came weeks after the incident at the food bank and the realization she needed to respect herself more. She had begun to read Melody Beattie’s Codependents’ Guide to the Twelve Steps. She had come across it nonchalantly, as grace experiences often do, while out on the July 1st holiday. She and her husband Robin had gone for a pleasant walk to historical Fort Malden in Amherstburg. While on their excursion they had come across a newly opened book store. It was small inside and had a nice cross selection of all the relevant books in many categories. They even had a nice used book section. It was one paperback on a table of books outside that caught her eye; good deals often did.
She had passed it by initially when she saw it on the clearance table outside and had gone inside the store to see what they offered. She was actually going to walk away without buying it but something inspired her to purchase it.
The book was meat to her soul. Mary had to resist devouring it in one day. She wanted to take it in slowly. She had done enough of that kind of speed reading in university. She wanted to savour this one and get what was important from it and not miss something God might have for her.
Mary prayed as she began to read asking God to give her wisdom and revelation into His knowledge and will. She had read through the first chapter and was almost through the second when she suddenly comprehended what the message was. It came to Mary, through the words and thoughts of the writer, that she was living a life that had become unmanageable and she had tried everything to fix things, working harder and harder and getting nowhere.
In a nut shell it appeared to Mary that the solution seemed to be to admit it, admit her powerlessness and admit who God was and have faith in Him and what He could do. However, it was more than this. It was the word “restore” that occurred over and over again in the second chapter that kept ringing a note of clarity.
It dawned on Mary that her life had been restored as far as a mate went. God had restored the years the locust had stolen and given her an awesome partner, Robin, in place of her former husband. Robin was everything Peter hadn’t been. From day one Mary had known the blessing Robin was and that he was the fulfilment of this promise of the book of Joel.
But now God seemed to speak to Mary’s heart where the ache and pain had been all these years since chaplaincy had turned out to be robbed from her. She knew that part of that loss was her own doing but she knew also that when God restored the past losses it didn’t matter who was at fault. Mary felt God was showing her that she must surrender this area of grief and hurt over to Him. She must have faith in God. God was going to restore her position and financial lost. In fact, as she sat on the couch praying and surrendering she was sure she heard God say that He was angry at her loss because He had chosen her. He, too, had been robbed when she had been robbed. But now He seemed to be saying that no longer would she be overlooked, the day was coming when those requiring her services would be in competition for her talents. She would have the delight of having a choice! The nice thing was that if she let God, He would fight for her and all she had to do was hold her peace!
Mary cried and cried as she listened to the voice speaking. Though she was a little unsure of it she knew she had to have faith and trust God. If He spoke then He would bring it all to fruition. Mary was comforted at God’s words that He had been just as angry as Mary had been at her robbery and that He had been robbed as well. She felt loved and reassured. She was on the right track and the book was a blessing already after only two chapters. She would continue and see what else God would reveal through the book.
Mary was more excited than she had been in a long time. However, her spirits were dampened by the nagging fear of what the future would hold and the responsibilities all this might entail. Yet, Mary knew that God was in charge. She had given her life anew again for the umpteenth time today. It felt good to renew her trust in Him. God had held her up in many difficulties; He had brought great things to past. How could she forget all God had done? He was still the same. In fact, He was the same yesterday, today and forever. Her hope was in Him and that is where she would keep her focus as He carried out His plans for her life.
She would think no more of it. Mary swished aware her fears with thoughts of all God had already done for her. He had restored her in one area and would restore her in this arena, Mary was sure. With that Mary picked up her book and absorbed herself within the pages of Chapter three. She couldn't wait to see what God would say next.