Month: June 2023

This is Gonna Make a Great Story One Day!

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Did I tell you about the time we drove to Virginia to stay in a rental cabin at the peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains and arrived after dark,… in a brand new place,… down a winding gravel road,… and one of the kids happened to mention, “I hope there are no bears or snakes when we get out of the car”?

Or how about the time we went exploring down a rutted dirt road near a lake,… after it had been raining,… right as dusk was falling,… spun our wheels trying to climb the hill to leave,… were afraid we were going to be stuck there overnight, and took an hour packing the ruts with logs and sticks to be able to climb the hill out?

Or maybe the time at the beach when this novice beach driver parked a huge Chevy sedan in soft sand?

No? I haven’t told you these?

Ok, then surely I’ve mentioned camping in a tent with kiddos when it snowed that night,… followed by rain all the next day,… a flooded tent,… and having to find a hotel and leave 4 kids age 13 and under in the hotel alone while we parents went back and broke camp, threw the tent away, and came really close to cursing! #@&*%#$

Or the time we blew an engine moving between cities at 10:00pm and had to abandon a vehicle loaded with stuff at a rest stop?

Or the time…

Well, you get the picture. Let me just say, that these are just the tip of the iceberg.

Our family has had many unexpected adventures through the years – some of them frightening at the time, some frustrating, and all anxiety producing. The first few were jolting and ramped up our fears and frustration. But over the years a truth has become clear, no matter how difficult and scary these times were, they each became a favorite story for our family to reminisce about.

We survived everything we were sure we would not. And you know what else, we learned to find humor in the hard times, to zip our lips and not accuse fellow family members, to be patient and kind, and NOT to worry, nor curse.

And my favorite lesson, we learned to get some perspective in the moment. When our family is having an unwelcome adventure these days, inevitably one of the group will say, “This is gonna make a great story one day!” It breaks the tension. We are reminded of all those hard, scary times God has already brought us through. The heart rates slow and we are able to breathe.

Now why did it take us years to learn those lessons? Because somehow we did not believe the truth of the Word of God that says:

  • “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
  • “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
  • “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Joshua 1:5
  • “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7

All I can say is, learn from our mistakes so you don’t have to make your own. Father God is trustworthy. We can count on Him. We are His beloved. Take a breath in the middle of the chaos and tell yourself, “This is gonna make a great story one day!” Then trust God for your every need and fear.

Finding Unconditional Love and Worth in God’s Embrace

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Introduction:

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves burdened by insecurities and the weight of past experiences that make us question our worth and ability to be loved. Whether it’s feeling unlovable, believing we’re not good enough, or carrying the scars of broken relationships, these struggles can deeply impact our sense of self. But amidst the storm, there is a refuge, a source of unwavering love and acceptance – Jesus Christ. Today, we delve into the depths of God’s Word to discover the truth about our value and the boundless love that awaits us.

Overcoming the Lies:

Have you ever felt that no one could ever want to be friends with you because people in your life have turned their backs on you? Perhaps you’ve carried the weight of feeling inadequate, whether it be your appearance, talents, or intelligence. These thoughts often stem from the lies that the enemy whispers in our ears, trying to convince us of our unworthiness. But let me assure you, these are nothing but falsehoods.

In Zephaniah 3:17, we find solace in God’s promise: “The LORD your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” These words remind us that our Heavenly Father sees our true worth and loves us unconditionally. Let us release the grip of past lies and allow God’s truth to resonate in our hearts.

The Depth of God’s Love:

Ephesians 3:18-19 urges us to grasp the vastness of God’s love, which surpasses all understanding. The love of Christ is immeasurable, and when we open ourselves to experiencing it fully, we become complete and empowered by His life-giving grace. Even when troubles surround us, we can find solace in Psalm 31:7: “I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.” God sees our pain, and He cares deeply for us.

God’s Unwavering Presence:

When earthly relationships falter and disappoint, it’s easy to believe that we are destined to be alone. However, Deuteronomy 31:6-8 reassures us of God’s faithfulness: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” God is always by our side, guiding us and providing the love and support we need. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, offering His unwavering presence through every step of our journey.

God’s Love Knows No Boundaries:

In our search for love and acceptance, we may have been hurt or let down by friends and family. But there is hope. When we give our hearts and lives to Jesus, we discover a love that transcends human failings. Jesus is for everyone; He doesn’t play favorites. He loves us individually and unconditionally. If we were the only sinner on Earth, He would still have given His life for us. Through Jesus, we can have eternal life and a profound relationship with Him, experiencing a love that surpasses any love we’ve ever known.

Embracing God’s Invitation:

My friend, I encourage you to run to Jesus and lay all your cares and worries at His feet. He is eager to hear from you, to offer you solace and guidance. Jesus longs to be the Father who loves you more than any earthly father ever could. Embrace His invitation, for in Him, you are truly found.

Muddling Through the Fog

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It looked likely to become a dark and stormy night. Suntanned and a bit tired from the day’s outing in the mountains, our family felt cheerful as we drove through the valley, trying to beat the impending bad weather to our cabin. Our chances of that began to look bleak. As Murphy’s Law would predict, anything that could go wrong did.

We had started up the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains when we realized we’d forgotten to get gas. We turned around for the town we had passed through a few miles back, understanding that we were losing time against the rolling clouds. At the gas station it was not only fuel, but a restroom that was needed. With a family of six, that takes a bit.

After the quickest possible stop for fuel, we once again headed up the two-lane road over the mountains. Dusk was coming quickly for us on the unfamiliar winding highway. About ten minutes into the climb we drove into a wall of cloud. Not just a gentle lowland fog like we were used to, but an honest-to-goodness, totally opaque cloud. Immediately, we had to slow down. Headlights couldn’t penetrate the fog bank; in fact, they made visibility worse as our headlights reflected back off the water droplets of the fog.

We were traveling in a rather new vehicle and had no clue how to turn on the fog lights. After creeping along a quarter of a mile or so, we caught a glimpse of a sign for a scenic pull-off. Cautiously wrangling the car into the pull-off, we parked and grabbed the User’s Manual to figure out the fog lights.

We managed to get them on and pulled back onto the road hoping the fog was temporary and would have abated some. But no, if anything it was getting more dense. Even with the fog lights to help visibility, I had to slow down to 5-10 miles per hour. My husband, concerned about a low shoulder or drop off, rolled down his window and stuck his head out to make sure I was within the line marking the edge of the pavement.

It was a tense period of time. The kids were hushed in the back seat sensing our tension. I had a white knuckle grip on the wheel, and my husband spoke only as necessary to give me driving warnings or encouragement as we crept higher into the mountain fog. Some relief came as we felt ourselves top the mountain and begin our descent into the valley on the other side.

Although it seemed like hours of creeping through the fog, in reality it was probably thirty minutes or less until we broke out of the fog when we were several hundred feet down the other side. As suddenly as it had come the fog was gone. The tension in the car broke with exhaled breaths, and a bit of lighthearted chatter picked back up.

Why do I tell this long story? I’m glad you asked.

In life we may be cruising along having a happy time – then suddenly, we are hit with the unexpected. It often feels quite like my trip through that fog bank.

The Problem.

  • It interrupts our plans.
  • We can’t see through the problem, and find ourselves anxious or fearful about the trek we are on.
  • We try everything we know to do, but nothing gets us out of the situation, be it a health, relational, financial or another type situation.
  • We find we are NOT in control. We are forced to trust – trust ourselves, trust God, trust the procedures or advice from the experts (the Owner’s manual).
  • We must wait. And waiting is not the strong suit for most of us. But patience is a fruit of the spirit.

The Solution.

Our only recourse in those foggy life adventures, is to do what we know to do. That includes:

  • pray
  • dig in the Word
  • seek godly wisdom from others who have gone through the situation
  • wait in faith for God to bring us through the murky mess
  • turn loose of control

As you face your next crisis, storm, or trial, remember these steps, and the following verses. The Father will guide you through your fog bank.

Isaiah 64:4 – Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Psalm 139:1-5 – You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before,  and you lay your hand upon me.

Genesis 50:19-20 –  But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Romans 8:28 & 32 – 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. … 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?