Skiing Down the Mountain

I took my girlfriend skiing the other day. Our families vacationed together and spent one of those days skiing on an unfamiliar mountain. She was doing well on the bunny hill so after lunch I invited her to go up the next chair. We studied the map and decided there was an easy way down. It was a long traverse that was nearly flat so we skirted around the mountain until we reached the end where a sign marked the way down – a black diamond run. How could this happen, the map showed a trail that wasn’t there? We hiked back and found a ‘slightly’ easier way down that was being used for slalom race training. I guided her slowly down the mountain on the side of this course. She was trying to stay positive as she turned and fell, turned and fell. What a horrible navigator I was!

Sometimes I think I’m a better route-finder than I really am. Usually, in my independent nature, I want to choose which way my life turns . . . even in unfamiliar territory I figure I can use my best judgment and make right choices. But, like the skiing mishap, I’ve found my way into a few problems which were pretty difficult to get out of – whole, without bumps and bruises.

Why do we do this? It reminds me of my kids when they were little when they insisted on doing life their way – and struggled and cried because they couldn’t. We all have an independent streak. We don’t really want to bend our will when we’ve set in motion our plan, in our way, at our time.

Here is God’s way ~ “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8.

How do we set the Lord before us? We can’t do it by running ahead of him. We have to surrender to the leader – which is often a daily decision: Him or me. Whose advice and wisdom will I follow: His or mine? He counsels and instructs me, but, sometimes I ignore Him, don’t listen, and don’t pause to ask. Other times I hear . . . and debate. My independence surges; my fleshly desires repeat their wants. Do I really want to surrender to the Lord? I do, but, I don’t.

“God, today, I choose you again. I choose to surrender my will to yours. You lead, I will follow. Thank you for the blessings you give as I follow you. Because of You I will not be shaken. Help me to stay behind you and not ahead. Help me to ‘set you always before me’ all day long. Amen”

Knowing God by Experience

I loved High School gymnastics. I would try so many daring tricks - and took quite a few falls before mastering them. My coach, who was the most wonderful person, was an excellent spotter. That means he risked his life from flailing body parts to make certain to catch us when we fell. My mom captured a great photo of him taking my foot to his face as he held out his arms below my falling body. Ouch! (for him . . . not for me.) Thank you Mr. Sullivan! Because I knew he was there, I became quite brave and tried many stunts that I wouldn’t have attempted otherwise. I knew I could trust him. Now, if I had never tired, and failed, I wouldn’t know this like I do.

I was thinking about knowing God like this. Sometimes I want to have that confident assurance of Him without stretching experiences which are so much a part of building that trust. How can I know that God provides without experiencing need? How can I know His rest and restoration without first becoming weary? How can I know He will lead me toward righteousness without encountering His help through temptation?

As I was reading Psalm 23 this morning, I found myself wanting David’s steady, calm, abiding faith in the sure goodness and love of God. I have that a little, but, if you read this Psalm, you will see an amazing depth of confidence. This kind of knowing doesn’t just happen by hearing about God, it comes by experiencing Him.

So today, I say, “Bring it on, God. I’m going to grow in trusting you because I want to know you more than anything. I want YOU more than I want a cushy life.” Oh dear, did I really say that? Do I really mean it? “OK God, a little bit at a time please. You know I am sensitive; just a little stretch would work just fine. God, are you laughing at me right now? Can you work with someone like me? Thank you for being a GOOD God. I love you Lord. Amen.”

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6

Believing God When We Hurt

My heart is heavy today for families we know who are in times of trouble, serious trouble—friends without work losing everything, children losing a parent to disease, a wife having to let her husband die. The more difficult our trial, the more tempted we are to believe God is far off or hidden. Out of the depths, we cry, ‘Don’t you care, God? Where are you? Why are you letting this happen?’

But what does His word say? “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them and listen to their cry.” Psalm 10:17

God is not distant. He hears our cries. He encourages us. Are you in trouble? Are you crying? Oh sweet friend, direct your cries to the Lord. Let’s not rely on faulty reasoning of God’s nature based on our experiences. Believe God. Believe his word. Look to the One who sees your trouble and grief. We have a choice of faith – will you choose to believe God? Will you put your hope in Him? Can you join the psalmist in saying, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 Saturate your mind with His truth – meditate on it. Take Him for his word.

“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

1st Day of School

Just a few moments ago my two oldest boys headed off to school with full backpacks, new shoes, and a little discontent about the schoolwork ahead. I'm glad for the return of routine and this time of day when I pull out my Bible and enjoy a little quiet with God before my youngest wakes up. I thought you might enjoy this Psalm and join me in praying for your children and those you love who are back in school.

From Psalm 5:11-12
'Let my children take refuge in You and be glad, let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them and let these who love You rejoice. Surely, O LORD you will bless the righteous. Thank you for surrounding them with your favor as with a shield.'

Don’t Believe Everything You Think

If you’ve raised kids or were one this scenario’s probably familiar. Two of my boys were recently jockeying for position on the couch. The younger was sprawled out end to end when his brother came and sat near his feet infringing on his space. I arrived after the voices rose and the kicking began . . . the younger insisted he was there first while the other reasoned his kid brother should share the couch. These kinds of skirmishes just seem to happen—two sides, both insisting they are right. Looking back, it makes me chuckle how silly it is.

I remember once my husband said, “You always think you’re right.” I replied, “Of course I do, it’s my opinion, it wouldn’t be my opinion if I didn’t believe it.” Now, THAT makes me laugh.

We don’t easily outgrow justifying ourselves do we? We think our opinions and choices are right and warranted. It’s difficult to notice the error in our own beliefs. Jesus was a master of confronting the religious leader’s wisdom and logic. He challenged the ‘innocence’ of the mob who was about to stone an adulterous woman and Jesus confronted the Pharisee’s misconception He was not from God since He healed on the Sabbath. Our strong conclusions lead us to some pretty weighty actions.

It’s easy to get into a battle of wills insisting we are right. I think we form opinions all the time that could be better enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Proverbs tells us plainly, “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 21:2) It’s difficult to notice the error in our own thinking, but God knows. He can cut through our logic, emotion, motives, and actions to instantly weigh our heart. The good news is: God is for us. We don’t have to rely on our own limited knowledge and process of reasoning.

God’s willing to show the way . . . to any follower humble enough to ask.

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4

Open Arms

When I was a little girl, my family regularly visited my grandparents for Sunday dinners. My grandma Laura would already be at her front door as we stepped from our car, holding her arms out wide, gathering us four children close, laughing as she spoke. There was no doubt she eagerly desired our coming, we were wanted, valued, and loved. Grandma, now in her eighties, is still like that. She takes hold of my hand and gives me a tour of her garden – not letting go.

She is a model of unconditional love and has over the years eagerly welcomed even the estranged back into her circle of lavish affection. She is agile and eager to serve; she loves to help and delights in easing a load.

This image of my grandma’s open arms is what I envision a biblical women called the ‘wife of noble character’ to be like. She “opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” I used to believe that helping the poor meant financial assistance – some kind of cash donation or social system to keep them off the streets. I chuckle at my realization of the difference I now see. Extending our hands to the poor is much bigger than having an open checkbook – it begins with an open heart. If I give all I possess to the poor but have not love . . . its just empty fanfare. Why would I want to give like that?

The other day, I heard tragic news that our neighbor at the end of the street suffered a massive heart attack three weeks ago while golfing in Oregon. Why did it take so long to find out? His sweet ‘private’ wife didn’t think any neighbors would care. It couldn’t be further from the truth. So, here is a need . . . God what can I do? I believe it means embracing this family, loving them in their hurt, and seeing how I can help. It might feel out of place or uncomfortable stepping into someone’s private world. But that’s what love does, with arms open wide.