BALLS BOUNCE BACK
by Nancy Harry
Over the years, it’s hard not to notice that problems come at us in various degrees and in various ways.
When I look back over my life, it seems to have been a roller coaster of one bad season after another. Sometimes I feel I hardly have a chance to catch my breath in-between. Abuse, divorce, depression and cancer have all stopped to visit. Sometimes I’d even ask, “God, why does life have to be so hard?” I think I can safely say that we all have had a problem or two come our way that we had to deal with, but wished would have just kept traveling on by.
In Romans 8:37 Paul tells us that it doesn’t matter what kind of trouble or what kind of hardships come into our lives, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. So, to feel overwhelmed or defeated shouldn’t be an option for us. He’ll never leave us or forsake us. Not even trouble can keep us from his love.
For many years I have gathered colorful balls in a glass fishbowl that has become quite a collection. My balls are comprised of all colors and styles. I’ve always wondered why I like balls enough to collect them. Recently, I felt God telling me that my ball collection was to be a reminder to me - a ball, despite its color, style or if it’s big or small, will always bounce back and I can too.
My happy smile ball reminds me of Proverbs 15:13, A happy heart makes the face cheerful (NIV)
The different sized balls remind me that problems come in different sizes; some big, some small. But it’s better to remember that blessings come in different sizes too.
My ball that looks like the earth reminds me that God is our creator. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NIV)
But the best thing any ball can do is BOUNCE back. So always remember:
No matter what you go through, with God on your side, you will always BOUNCE back!
| 
