When The Bubble Bursts

So much joy and delight for toddlers when an adult blows bubbles for them! They are fascinated by these shimmering orbs that seem to come out of nowhere and float around them. They chase them and pop them and watch them rise into the air and waft away. I’ve never noticed any sadness when they burst or disappear; there seems to be an endless supply available. No need to hold onto one bubble; another is quickly coming. 

As adults, we hold much more tightly to our bubbles. We have had lots of experience with beautiful situations arising, and we have seen them burst or disappear. No joy and celebrating from us when that happens! It is not our default to realize that more bubbles will be coming and look back to the Bubble-blower expectantly, ready for the new beauty He is sending. 

Obviously, the analogy isn’t perfect, but you get it. I was recently at a virtual women’s conference, and the first speaker was introducing the theme for the weekend – being grounded, regardless of the circumstances. I jotted down this phrase as she spoke: “your little bubble – POPPED.” Can I stay grounded when the bubble bursts? Can I trust that God is writing the story and that His plan is not just good, but perfect? Can I stop trying to hold onto control and focus on what I need to do today, right now, remaining mentally and emotionally stable? 

It is a bit frustrating to me that I seem to still be learning to live grounded. I feel that I should be an expert by now – I certainly have had lots of bubbles popped in my life, some big ones and many small ones, and I have experienced God’s faithfulness every. single. time. 

At present, my husband and I and some dear friends are dealing with a different situation than any we have walked through before. Honestly, we have been struggling to stay grounded, at least I have. We have been through so many negative emotions – anger, hurt, frustration, worry, indecision. We see the bubble bursting, and it seems to be our role to change the trajectory and get it back together, not just for ourselves, but for others affected by the negative changes. We are used to “calling the shots,” and we aren’t clear that we can do that in this situation. And we come to this already emotionally exhausted from dealing with a divisive pandemic. 

As shouldn’t be surprising in light of God’s providence, I am reading a book called, You Can Trust God to Write Your Story, by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Robert Wolgemuth. I received the book at least a year ago as a gift, and have picked it up from time to time over the last year but only recently decided to commit to reading the whole thing. This morning, I decided to read a bit before I started my day of trying to get my professional and domestic head above water. The chapter I was starting is called, “You Can Trust God When You’re Pressed Financially.” I considered skipping it, thankful that at this time I am not pressed financially. I’m so glad I didn’t skip it! It contained the story of a man who had walked through the loss of his business. 

“I didn’t want to trust God in that moment. I didn’t want to believe that He knew what was best. What I wanted was pity – and perhaps even revenge. We hadn’t managed our business perfectly, but we didn’t deserve this. … After that we spent a long time together, trying to figure out how to respond. At first there was anger. Then disbelief. Then resignation. And finally, through tears, we dared to trust God – to believe that He was writing a story. At the time, of course, we could not understand why the plot was unfolding this way. But although we could not imagine how it would all end, we knew ultimately it would be good – because God is good and all His ways are good. … The whole experience was incredibly humbling. Self-doubt and fear sometimes wrapped themselves around me like a soaking wet blanket. But in the midst of it all, we saw God provide for us and our staff in some remarkable ways.” 

This. Ours are not the same circumstances, but the feelings are spot on. And not the same circumstances, but the same God. The One who never fails. We too can trust Him to write our story. 

I have been captured recently by the phrase “unfailing (or steadfast) love,” found often in the Psalms. It is an English translation of the Hebrew word “hesed,” which speaks of God’s covenant love to His people, His faithfulness, the you-can-always-count-on-it kindness of our Father. 

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5 NRSV 

“For you, o Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.” Psalm 86:5 NRSV 

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5 NRSV 

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NRSV 

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:76 NIV 

“’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NIV 

May I paraphrase that last verse? “’Though your bubble seems like it is popping and even if it does pop, My love for you will not fail or end. I am steadier and stronger than anything you have experienced,’ says the Lord who understands and cares about your struggle.” 

You can trust God to write your story. 

God of unfailing love, I trust You. Teach me to walk through my days in that trust, focusing on living with love and integrity and leaving the outcomes to You. Let me see all the difficulty and frustration around me as darkness that makes the light of Jesus shine brighter. 

-Leah