You know those times when “life” things go caddywompus and you’re left scratching your head and saying, “What the….?”

On Monday I had a job that was nearly an hour away.  It was a large home which meant two trips back and forth for me, lugging decor.

It required a full day’s worth of time, effort and creativity and a heck of a lot of driving.

I was really happy with the final result, and was excited to see how the professional pictures would turn out.

My job was done.

But not even 24 hours later, I got a call from the realtor.  The client had changed his mind and decided not to put his house on the market.

I wanted to cry.

All that hard work, and for what?

It seemed like it had been a complete waste of time.

What could possibly have been the point?

As I drove back yesterday to retrieve everything I’d so carefully placed, I found myself disappointed and frustrated.  Why hadn’t this decision been made prior to my involvement?

And then it hit me.

Nothing is for nothing.

I stopped to think about that idea. It really was true in this case. Despite the irritation and disappointment, there were certain things that had happened even in that brief amount of time.

I had gotten the chance to meet new people, to develop new skills, to discover a new place.  Physically, mentally, and now emotionally, I had been challenged, which meant that growth was in the works.

In the smallest of ways, I was not the same person coming out as I was going in.

Learning took place.  Experience happened.  New tools were added to my skill set.

The decor I took from that residence went straight into my next job.  An even bigger house that would require every bit of inventory I had.

Unexpected dismantling was actually a blessing in disguise.

As I hauled each crate of decor up the stairs and into this new property, sweat dripping and body aching, I could feel my muscles working, stretching, growing.  Mentally, creatively, physically.

And I smiled.

Nothing is for nothing.

Now, let’s be honest.  This was a very minor inconvenience in comparison to other things that have truly rocked my world.

I’ve face deep heartache and loss.  Great failure and pain. Grief too deep for words. The times that things have not gone as I would have planned in life are too numerous to count.

But EVERY SINGLE TIME it’s been true.  That promise from God Himself:

Nothing is for nothing.

Without fail, I have come away changed for the better when I let God do His thing in me and in the circumstances I face.

Do you ever feel like, “God, seriously, what was the point of THIS?”

Disappointment.

Illness.

A broken heart.

A shattered dream.

Financial stress.

Maybe it came out of the blue, maybe it’s something that’s been going on for a while.  You feel you don’t deserve it That it’s not fair.

You probably don’t and it’s probably not.

It doesn’t make sense, didn’t go according to plan.

But God says,  “Nothing is for nothing.”

Every little unexpected, frustrating, painful, disappointing part of life has purpose.

Potential for growth and depth.

You can come through it, accompanied by God’s loving grace, a different and stronger person.  

And right in the middle of whatever it is that has left you wondering, scratching your head, even doubting God’s intentions, you can discover the gems of an experience that can turn you into something a little better than you were yesterday.

Nothing is for nothing.

That’s a promise….

Romans 8:28 –  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.