the crucible of faith

whoever said being a follower of Jesus is easy needs to have their head checked...once you decide to follow Him your finances will always be overflowing, your marriage will be heaven on earth and your kids will all be straight A students and want to become missionaries to Africa...sorry but if that is true than I must not be a true follower of Jesus...my finances are like a lot of folks, just meeting the need, my marriage has had it's ups and downs and my kids are finding their way...it seems to me that we have taught a everything is beautiful kind of faith instead of you might get shipwrecked, stoned, left for dead kind of faith...since my father past away (three yrs ago) I have been seeking God with all that I am...what does God care about?...not what makes man happy about God...and let me tell you...life has gotten harder not easier...I am not saying I have lost faith...no I believe I trust Him more now than before...I am not nearly where I want to be as a child of God...but I am glad that His Words are a constant refuge and shield in the midst of living life...maybe just maybe His light will burst forth in me as He molds me into His likeness...life is going to happen...He promised to go with us...relax God is in control!