Remember Promises

"Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:1-3 (NRSV)

Audrey Tafadzwa Chidavaenzi lives in Midlands, Zimbabwe. Audrey graduated from high school in June 2019 with nearly perfect grades. She hoped to attend law school at a prestigious university in Zimbabwe, but that didn't happen. She applied to two universities and was declined by one and told by the other that she would only be accepted to university if she stopped applying to law school. Audrey was devastated and asked, Why me? suddenly, all her wrongdoings and sins rushed into her mind. she told herself she was being punished.

Audrey was mad at herself and at God. She asked, "Aren't you supposed to be forgiving?" and "Couldn't you punish me in any other way?" It took seven months before Audrey was able to pray or open the Bible to seek answers. But when she did, God was there, telling her to trust and that everything would be okay.

Her story does not have a miraculous ending right now, but it has a beautiful reunion between Audrey and God as she remembers that God's word has never failed, and God's promises remain the same. She wants to tell everyone who has separated or distanced themselves from God that when they return to God's presence and promises, they will find understanding and peace.

Prayer: Faithful God, thank you for loving us when we distanced ourselves from you. Remind us that no matter our circumstances, we can find peace in your presence, in Jesus' name. Amen.