Earlier this week I took my momma for a doctor visit, as we were waiting I picked up a Southern Living magazine. The front of the magazine had a picture of a delicious looking pie on the front cover. 

I flipped through the magazine until I found another picture of the same pie with the caption  “Atlantic Beach Pie.” I continued to search for the recipe ingredients. I flipped backwards and forward then low and behold I noticed the page with the recipe had been ripped out of the magazine! 

HOW RUDE! 

I was curious to know what was in an Atlantic Beach pie. It looked delicious. I had a decision to make–I could just give up and be angry because someone had decided to rip the page out and deny me and everyone else who picked up this damaged magazine the opportunity to know the recipe or I could focus on coming up with a positive solution.

I don’t know a single adult who hasn’t at one time or another had a page ripped out of their life. Sometime, somewhere in their life something happened that ripped a piece of their life apart. Many have had it happen more than once. 

Have you ever had a page ripped out of your life? A page you had hoped would provide you with the ingredients of things you thought you needed to have the perfect marriage, family, career, ministry or life?

I have and it can be devastating. It can cause great distress, depression and discouragement. When it happens we feel defeated and we wonder if there is any hope for us. I am thankful I can say—there is hope.

In the first chapter of James verse 5 it says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” When we aren’t sure what to do or which direction to go in one of the best things we can do is go to God in prayer and ask for wisdom. 

After I got home later that night I went on-line and googled Atlantic Beach pie. I found the recipe ingredients I needed. Just like I searched to find the pie recipe ingredients it is always important when a page has been ripped out of our life to search God’s word. No where else will we find the wisdom, comfort and encouragement that the Holy Spirit brings than when we earnestly seek God through prayer and reading His word,

When you put your hope and  trust in Christ and as you continue to obey and serve Him, you will discover new chapters in your life filled with pages written by God’s hand of love and restoration.

There are many examples in the Bible of people whose lives were restored and transformed inspite of “ripped pages.” 

Joseph sold into slavery by his very own brothers, but restored and blessed by God to become Vizier under Pharoh.Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den to be eaten alive, but spared by God – not a lion harmed him.The woman caught in adultery was to be stoned to death, but Jesus rescued her.

There are so many we could name. The truth is we have a choice after a divorce, a layoff from a job, or an unexpected health crisis– whatever our ripped page may be. We can choose to move forward in faith or to dwell in sorrow and hopelessness. 

Keep seeking wisdom my friends.