Second Verse Not Quite the Same as the First
I can’t help it but I have the song “I’m Henry the Eighth I am” in my head. Specifically, the part where Peter Noone shouted out, “Second Verse, Same as the First.”
I noticed the last two years there are life events popping out that look really familiar. It’s almost like Groundhog Day with Bill Murray where it feels like the alarm goes off and I’m living the same thing again. Thing is, I didn’t like those events the first time around.
Insurance Issues
Communication Misunderstandings
Rejection
Loneliness
Woundedness I received
Woundedness I dished out
When I first noticed the similarities I felt a gentle whisper assure me that although things looked the same, they were not. They were opportunities for me to trust God for a different outcome. It was not the proverbial Lucy from Peanuts holding the football moment. In some cases there would be redemption, justice, revelation, and just flat out better experiences than the first go-around.
Not easy, but better.
I’m blogging this today because this pattern continues with me. I’m seeing things that look so familiar. Names, places, circumstances. My first reaction isn’t what I know it should be. Instead, fear. Dread. Anger. Everything inbetween, including my mumbling things like, “Second verse same as the first.”
Yet in the middle of my personal GroundHog Day I’m experiencing something so different than I expected and I know it’s only the start.
New beginnings
Justice
Grace
People looking at the full picture, not just the small glimpse
Provision
Favor
Peace
During the first set I had experiences with literal dive bombing cardinals. Friends shared the same thing happening to them. I prayed and did research and found for me, one of the definitions I walked away with was that a cardinal is a loyal defender. To this day when I see a cardinal I claim it as a promise. God is my loyal defender.
These issues and circumstances appear like things I’ve battled before, things that nearly snuffed out everything alive and hopeful in me. But they are not the same. I’m not the same. Because of those things I’m stronger, wiser, and more discerning.
God willing, I’m surrendering to be more trusting if not of people, than of my God who loves me.
And you.
If you’re going through the second verse looking the same as the first, embrace your Heavenly Father as your loyal defender.
Because He is.
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Thank you for another encouraging post, Julie. We can have hope and faith that with God’s help, it will be better the next time. Charlie Brown had a good bit of hope, but Lucy was not dependable like God is!
I think if I had to do a trust fall exercise with Lucy I’d pass! I agree Connie, God is so dependable!
Oh my gracious – SAME HERE! I was just telling someone it’s like a total rerun of last year in so many ways – and NOT such great ways. THANK you for letting yourself be used by God to encourage me SO MUCH right now. You are absolutely right. No matter what our circumstances GOD IS IN CONTROL. And next time I see ANY bird I’m going to remember YOUR words -that God is my defender – and HIS Words – that just as He provides for the birds – He WILL provide for me and my beloved. Thank you… Read more »
Kaye, it is you who encourage me, often. I’m finally at the place where I understand those tough times have purpose and I’m more than willing to share what I’m learning from them. That cardinal gives me peace every single time I see him. God isn’t just a defender, like the cardinal, a LOYAL one! Be blessed.