When I was a kid I had a friend that told me about the morning her parents shook her awake on a school day announcing a surprise. She didn't have to go to school that day. They were going on a trip! She jumped out of bed, got dressed, ate breakfast and piled her things into the car with great excitement. After getting all settled in, her parents STILL wouldn't tell her where they were going. All she knew was that she was going for a ride and she was going to LOVE IT. With every insistent "how much further, Daddy" that she giggled, the destination remained a secret. With every guess of where they were going, her Dad responded with the usual Dad clichés, "You'll see when we get there," "My lips are sealed" and "Uh, I think it's time we play the quiet game, now."
She never once asked, "Do you have enough gas, Daddy?" "Did you bring enough money?" She was never in the slightest bit worried about her Dad's ability to think of the details. Therefore, she never felt the need to know those details. She never worried and the journey still turned out to be exceptional. The journey, the destination and the anticipation was meant to be thrilling. Her parents planned the whole exciting package with the intention of making memories.
This story has always reminded me of how our Lord likes to see us thrilled with his adventures. His adventures are our adventures. We do not, will not, know where he is taking us. He invites us and we can go if we want. Who wouldn't want to go, anyway! He drives the car and we can pester him with quirky questions. It can't get better than that.
BTW, my friend's surprise was the amusement park with extended family members. I was very jealous. :-)
After living for several years in a lakeside community filled with
marinas, boats, jet skis and plenty of sand, I can understand how it
feels to be at the edge with the waves lapping at my feet. One can
contemplate as the waves slap against rocks, look over the horizon to
daydream about the future, or think about the past. You can jump into a
boat and scurry along with the wind in your hair and the sun on your
face or you can jump into the water for a refreshing dunk. There are
just so many options.
Sometimes, though, we stand at the edge of life. There are decisions
to make and emotions are in high gear. We are stuck between that rock
and the hard place with no way out. Where are the options now? Humm.. you could pray. Many people think that praying is a last and
final option, when there is no more hope in getting out from that hard
place. You can hear them say pitifully, “Well, we can only pray” as
they grit their teeth and brace for the worst.
HOWEVER, praying must be our FIRST defense. We must pray
continuously, as part of the fabric of our daily lives and routine.
Before we have no where to turn, we must ready ourselves spiritually. We must always be prepared for the troubles
that can crop up at any time while giving praise for the good times.
With continuous prayer we have peace before we need it. We have laid the
foundation and strong walls of a fortress. We have quick access to the
One with the answers.
Close your eyes and just say “Thank You, Lord.” Talk to Him as if He
was your closest friend. Chit chat with Him. Be honest with Him. After
all, He already knows your heart.
He knows about the hard places you will run into and that rock you are stuck behind. He knows the way around it. Just ask. Believe He will answer. The Rock knows. He has brought you to this place safely so far and He will continue. He never leaves business unfinished.
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between
Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has
helped us.” http://bible.com/111/1SA7.12.NIV
