In my journey of trust, I realize that so many other words are invovled - faith, contentment and even blessings. It is easy to feel sometimes when things don't seem to go our way that we are missing out on God's blessings. When I am stuck in a rut of thinking, I like to try to approach it (or sometimes my prayers) from a different angle. What if my struggles and trials ARE God's blessings? What if the reason I feel my prayers aren't being answered is because I am limiting God in what I am praying? What if what God desires is truly, as scripture says, more than an I can hope or imagine? Maybe He needs to change my heart, to change my perspective, to change my prayer. A song I heard on our local radio station http://www.ksbj.org/, really struck me in my examination of this:
Blessings
Artist: Laura Story
Album: Blessings
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Overflowing
As a mom the word "overflowng" can take on a good and bad connotation. Hearing a child yell "Mom, it's overflowing!" are not words that will make your day. But I have been fortunate in that word has appeared twice in the last week to bring encouragement.
Our twins turned 18 last week. The celebration with our family was wonderful - laughter, reminiscing, joking. I told Robert I wanted to take the whole evening, wad it up and tuck it away into my heart to treasure. While society would tell us (or scream to us) that wealth is the key to success and happiness - this moment spoke the opposite. While our bank account to medical bill ratio is often out of whack, we are OVERFLOWING in the richest blessings of all.
Today, as I'm continuing my reading on trust, it was as if God took a highlighter and affirmed the point.
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
That is my prayer today. Are you lacking in joy, peace and hope? Maybe you need to trust Him more!
Our twins turned 18 last week. The celebration with our family was wonderful - laughter, reminiscing, joking. I told Robert I wanted to take the whole evening, wad it up and tuck it away into my heart to treasure. While society would tell us (or scream to us) that wealth is the key to success and happiness - this moment spoke the opposite. While our bank account to medical bill ratio is often out of whack, we are OVERFLOWING in the richest blessings of all.
Today, as I'm continuing my reading on trust, it was as if God took a highlighter and affirmed the point.
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
That is my prayer today. Are you lacking in joy, peace and hope? Maybe you need to trust Him more!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Following the Trail
It reminded me of how these tendencies are seen in my walk with God. I see a situation and anticipate where He is going, run ahead in anticipation and "camp out" waiting. Often disappointment comes when He doesn't show up on my schedule. It is the realization and understanding that God is the leader of the "trail rider"; He knows where He is going and my responsibility is to seek, follow and read the instruction He has left for me in His Word. While finding trail riders is fun, I know that seeking after what God desires is going to be so much more fulfillling!
".....for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you." 1 Chronicles 28:96
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wadding up the List
When it comes to trusting God it is sometimes quite the quandary. It sounds so simple "trust in God". And so I sit trusting in God, all the while jotting notes on "my" list of how He is going to respond to whatever trust issue I seem to be having that day. It's a very nice list, neatly written, thoughtful, insightful, creative - I have considered all the ways God will prevail in my circumstance. I even have a wonderful timeline and order in which things need to happen. I say I am trusting in God and sit happily by with pencil poised, ready to begin checking off the list.
The only problem is - God doesn't need my list. I find that often I am trusting and finding comfort more in my list, than in God - who can do and is capable of doing all! More often than not, my list is the source of doubt, and discouragement. My list, whether on paper or in my mind, limits the very being of God and the very essence of what He may be trying to accomplish in my circumstances. If I refer to my notes, I scrawl out what I perceive to be God's purpose - but that can be so far from the facts!
Two verses drive that home that "ironically" I was led to read recently.
"Who ever trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like green grass" Proverbs 11:28
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
As I wad up my list, I am left with more questions than I started with. I guess that's where I need to trust God for the answers with no paper or pencils in sight.
The only problem is - God doesn't need my list. I find that often I am trusting and finding comfort more in my list, than in God - who can do and is capable of doing all! More often than not, my list is the source of doubt, and discouragement. My list, whether on paper or in my mind, limits the very being of God and the very essence of what He may be trying to accomplish in my circumstances. If I refer to my notes, I scrawl out what I perceive to be God's purpose - but that can be so far from the facts!
Two verses drive that home that "ironically" I was led to read recently.
"Who ever trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like green grass" Proverbs 11:28
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
As I wad up my list, I am left with more questions than I started with. I guess that's where I need to trust God for the answers with no paper or pencils in sight.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Bring it On
What is the value of trust if there is nothing at stake? What trust is needed when things are going well and there is no risk?
"jump over this puddle, trust me you can do it" very little trust needed and a no brainer
"jump over this canyon, trust me you can do it" - that is the true test and may leave you curled up in a ball at the canyon's edge wanting to cry.
But God continues to whisper "trust me".
Today I hit a theoretical canyon the details of which I do not chose to divulge (and no it is not anything life threatening if your mind leaps there). If my initial response was a test, I failed miserably. My mind raced with solutions "I could do" or just retreat in defeat and yet God whispers "trust me".
The verses I landed on today were in Psalms 32:10 "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." I have to admit my first thought was "Lord I need more than love" but then I realized the vastness that God's love is for me - it means He understands my fragile emotions (He created me after all) and He continues to consistently say "trust me".
Reading the entire Psalm brings even more perspective:
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
and what are those songs?
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you."
And so as I pick myself up from the canyon's edge, I can't help but remember a rather obscure movie reference from "The Emperor's New Groove" (odd I know). At one point the llama (I said it was odd) was being pursued by a pack of wolves to the edge of cliff. A friend swinging from a vine saves him just in time. Hooray. Then the vine snaps and they careen off the mountain........ only to have the vine catch on a branch. Safe again. The branch breaks and they fall again but land safely in the river. Then they hear a sound.
"Raging waterfall?"
"yep"
"Jagged rocks below?"
"no doubt"
"Bring it on"
Trust is realizing you are helpless and can't imagine how the feat will be accomplished. Bring it on.
"jump over this puddle, trust me you can do it" very little trust needed and a no brainer
"jump over this canyon, trust me you can do it" - that is the true test and may leave you curled up in a ball at the canyon's edge wanting to cry.
But God continues to whisper "trust me".
Today I hit a theoretical canyon the details of which I do not chose to divulge (and no it is not anything life threatening if your mind leaps there). If my initial response was a test, I failed miserably. My mind raced with solutions "I could do" or just retreat in defeat and yet God whispers "trust me".
The verses I landed on today were in Psalms 32:10 "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." I have to admit my first thought was "Lord I need more than love" but then I realized the vastness that God's love is for me - it means He understands my fragile emotions (He created me after all) and He continues to consistently say "trust me".
Reading the entire Psalm brings even more perspective:
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
and what are those songs?
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you."
And so as I pick myself up from the canyon's edge, I can't help but remember a rather obscure movie reference from "The Emperor's New Groove" (odd I know). At one point the llama (I said it was odd) was being pursued by a pack of wolves to the edge of cliff. A friend swinging from a vine saves him just in time. Hooray. Then the vine snaps and they careen off the mountain........ only to have the vine catch on a branch. Safe again. The branch breaks and they fall again but land safely in the river. Then they hear a sound.
"Raging waterfall?"
"yep"
"Jagged rocks below?"
"no doubt"
"Bring it on"
Trust is realizing you are helpless and can't imagine how the feat will be accomplished. Bring it on.
Monday, February 14, 2011
"Recalculating"
A while back we purchased a GPS navigation system for our van. Since I am a Realtor, I have come to realize that it is important to know where you are going. For some reason clients expect this - and getting lost is not an option - not to mention embarrassing. We fondly refer to our GPS as "the lady" and have even added a British accent to her so we feel very international.
Since acquiring "the lady", there has been an additional battle of the wills as I drive. On more than one occasion I have doubted her abilities to take me on the quickest route. Having driven certain routes frequently, I feel I know better than her and her fancy satellite as to which is the best and quickest way. More than a few times I have decided to go my own way, only to send her on a "recalculating" frenzy. Unfortunately, this has often led me to sit in traffic. Apparently, the magic of the GPS knew this and was trying to steer me away from the aggravation. It all comes down to how much trust I have in "the lady".
As with many everyday things, I find a spiritual message within it. My attitude of "I know best" isn't limited to driving. In my own spiritual walk I question where God is leading, since foolishly I feel I know better. When the path seems to be taking a turn to somewhere that wasn't in my imagined plan, or seem the quickest route, I begin to doubt and question. Sometimes I even go down that path, but God never "recalculates" He is always consistent in showing the way to go. Once we arrive at His destination for me, the route was always worth it!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6
Since acquiring "the lady", there has been an additional battle of the wills as I drive. On more than one occasion I have doubted her abilities to take me on the quickest route. Having driven certain routes frequently, I feel I know better than her and her fancy satellite as to which is the best and quickest way. More than a few times I have decided to go my own way, only to send her on a "recalculating" frenzy. Unfortunately, this has often led me to sit in traffic. Apparently, the magic of the GPS knew this and was trying to steer me away from the aggravation. It all comes down to how much trust I have in "the lady".
As with many everyday things, I find a spiritual message within it. My attitude of "I know best" isn't limited to driving. In my own spiritual walk I question where God is leading, since foolishly I feel I know better. When the path seems to be taking a turn to somewhere that wasn't in my imagined plan, or seem the quickest route, I begin to doubt and question. Sometimes I even go down that path, but God never "recalculates" He is always consistent in showing the way to go. Once we arrive at His destination for me, the route was always worth it!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Trust me
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God., trust also in me" John 14:1
When our kids were growing up we learned that if you spilled the beans about an upcoming trip or activity, you would regret it. The excitement and anticipation was almost too much for them as they would bounce off the walls having no concept of time or logistics. The disappointment if we had to cancel was crushing with lots of whining; and pity the child who's illness caused the cancellation. We developed a strategy to wait until the very last moment. We would gather them and tell them they needed to get ready and how they should dress. "where are we going?" "Trust me" was our response. Only until we were all in the car would we divulge our destination. Any questions were answered simply with "trust me". Soon just the phrase "trust me" would invigorate them to get ready quickly, they knew something great was in store for them.
As I read the above passage, my mind jumped back to those days when we told our kids "trust me". If our kids could trust us, certainly I can trust God when He says the same. The verse gives us a barometer to check to see if we are really trusting "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Are you worried, anxious, troubled, fretting? "Trust in God". It sounds so simple, and yet we struggle with it so much.
Other questions come to mind....if I'm not trusting God who am I placing my trust in? Myself, my spouse, my kids, my job, the economy? The only one who is unchangeable is God, He can be trusted. Who knows what adventure He has in store for us!
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