I Am A Child Of God

             

            I know I am a wife, mom, grandmother, friend, student, quilter, writer and what seems like twenty other hats I wear.  I have no problem identifying my very human characteristics which define me.  Yet to say, “I am a child of God” seems surreal.  It is something so profound when I say it, it doesn’t seem possible, especially when I consider the cost Christ had to give to make this happen. 

            There are scriptures, which I’ve tried to memorize, which validates this truth because long ago I accepted Christ as my Savior.  It’s something I’ve believed for as long as I can remember, yet the idea that God calls me as one of his, and specifically his child, is amazing. 

 

            I reflect on my human parents.  My mom took care of me as an infant and my dad was wonderful in situations where my mom wasn’t strong.  My siblings and I were close while we were children, and I’m grateful.  It isn’t much different with my Heavenly Father.  God absolutely takes care of me, Jesus gave his life, that, that might become truth for me.  The Holy Spirit is always also close by for comfort and direction.  Each member of the Trinity ‘grows' me like my earthly family.  And add to this my ‘church family’ and other Believers, I have a huge family on which to rely and take counsel from, should I need it---and ask for it!

 

Once this reality totally sinks in, I can acknowledge God cares about my tears, my questions and frustrations.  He finds joy in my successes and will reprimand me when I sin, through conviction.  His gentle arms surround me when I need a hug and his heart breaks when mine does.  He knows my weaknesses and my strengths and knows how to use my flaws for his good.  He cares about the little things just as much as he cares about the big ones. 

 

He teaches me through his Word, through experiences, and other Believers.  He not only cares about my questions, but will lead me to the answer if I’m willing to look for it.   God cares about the coronavirus.  God cares about our economic status, death, disease and sin, and yes, even me.

 

Even knowing all this, as I face days that seem overwhelming in their struggles, I cower.  I want to escape and just hide.  How self-centered of me!  I should instead be standing strong and face my struggles like Paul did when he was imprisoned.  He would sing!  I often can’t sing when I’m sad!  Songs seem to accentuate the element or level of my despondency and I literally just cry. 

 

Still, when I physically pick up His Word or cry out to him, I am overcome with a calmness that is almost indescribable.  I feel washed in His Stillness.  Then I am able to rest, physically and emotionally; and more than that, accept all the spiritual rest that His comfort brings.

 

As humans, we sometimes find it difficult to rely on the comfort of a God we cannot see with our eyes.  Yet, when we look around at all his provisions every day, even moment by moment, we can accept this truth for what it is, because we can 'see' Him.  We are a family and I am a child of God, and one day I will be with him in Paradise.

God Is Faithful

             

          My husband and I just made a return trip to the East, from South Dakota.  We have an older motor home, which several years ago, on the way out West, about an hour from our destination, konked out and we had to be towed.  There it sat for the next two years, while Charles fiddled with it and got it working again!

            This past Friday morning we headed back in that same motor home, towing my little car.  It was wonderful.  It ran fine, smoothly and gave us great traveling access to our own bed for sleeping, kitchen and meals.  Life was good!  

 

            Just before we reached the other side of South Dakota, the motor home stopped running.  Literally!  After a few moments, it started up again and we went the remaining mile to the next exit and re-fueled.  Again, it had issues, but it finally started and we were off!  The goal at this point, was to get to Sioux Falls and find an auto store for what Charles now thought might be wrong with it, given the code to his ‘auto tester’ he now carries.

 

            Without any problems, we made it to Sioux Falls, and the Auto Zone and got the part, but of course by now, it’s dark.  But we take off again and drive all the way to Waterloo, Iowa.  In the morning, after re-fueling we again, leave; the motor home purring like a kitten!  Then we reach the end of Route 380 getting ready to get on 80 East.  Just before we did (literally on the exit ramp) the rig again konks out! After a few moments, we again get going, until just before we enter the highway.   This time, the RV refused to start.  

 

            I had been praying about this, from the time the rig first gave us a warning it was going to be difficult.  God provided the means for us to go a bit farther toward our destination; without leaving us completely stranded.  As we sat on the shoulder of Route 80 I’m asking the Lord for another miracle, but also praying that He would send someone to help and give Charles the ability to fix whatever the problem is.  

 

            Recognizing he had the part that was likely giving us the issue (a crank shaft sensor- I know nothing more than that!  I am not auto literate!)  his biggest concern at this time, is being out on an Interstate, under the rig, with vehicles passing by (not all can or will get over as they near us) at 70 miles an hour!  

 

            Within moments an Iowa DOT truck pulled up behind us.  After having conversation with the driver, it was determined he would put out cones (forcing traffic over) so Charles could replace the part.  He commented on the fact that if this had to happen, this was the best place for it to occur, given the shoulder of Route 80 for many miles ahead!  So, true to Charles’ nature, under the rig he went and replaced the sensor, in less than fifteen minutes!  The Iowa DOT stayed with us until he finished, with lights flashing warning, to other drivers.

 

            When Charles came back into the cab of the RV, he turned the key and it started perfectly, and really was ‘purring like a contented kitten’ – much better than before!  Thanking the DOT for his help, we drove away and continued all the way back to Maryland!

 

            I share this story, because God is truly faithful.  As silly as it may sound, I became hugely emotional after all this happened.  God literally answered my prayers each time I asked.  Do my prayers always get answered in this fashion?  No, probably not, but God knows what I need and when I need it!  This was a clear demonstration of God’s provision for our lives and I am beyond grateful!  

 

            I serve a living God, and during this time of political tension, I know that God will be with me, regardless of what goes on around me.  And that gives me a peace which passes all understanding, and for that, I will praise Him!

Finding Solitude

 

          

          My husband and I travel a lot, and most often our destination, when away from the east coast, places us in the mountains. I am overjoyed when I can bask in the beauty of the Ponderosa Pines in South Dakota, or among all the deciduous trees in the Great Smoky Mountains.  There is something powerful in watching the sunrise over the peak of a mountain in the distance, and I stand in awe. 

 

            A discussion between friends recently went to early morning alone time, with God.  Jesus found it necessary to leave the busy-ness of the city, go to a lonely, quiet place to pray.  His prayer was all about communing with the Father. They must have had amazing conversations and helped keep them connected in thought and deed.  

 

            Jesus was a man but he was also God.  He had a unique bond with the Father.  Yet as humans, we are given the opportunity to have a relationship with God, much like Jesus and God must have had when Jesus was on the Earth. 

 

            Doesn’t that very thought make your heart race?  To have a conversation with the Creator of the Universe is an amazing blessing.  We have the opportunity to pour out our hearts, question where we are going and what we should do, offer thanks for aid received or answered prayers, and ask for help in upcoming events!  

 

            If Jesus, who was/is uniquely connected to the Father felt the need to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, doesn’t it just make good sense that we as humans, would also need to find a quiet place and take the time to commune with the Father?

 

            During our conversation, some said they met with the Lord first thing in the morning, either on their bed or even at their table.  The table idea makes me think of a Southern Gospel song that has a line, “there was church in the kitchen!”  Other people found their renewal would take them to the desert, during a morning run, their backyard listening to the birds serenading them, or resting on a rock during a climb up a mountain.

 

            Regardless of where we choose to meet with God, the point is, that we do indeed meet!  It is the place to become recharged, restored and renewed in the our spirit, body and our mind.  But that said, the COVID pandemic has thrown a new perspective in meeting with The Father.  We have been forced to ‘stay in place’ for many weeks.  Even as the opening of the country continues, there are still restrictions.  Due to the inability to ‘go to our favorite places’ in the busy-ness of life, we are afforded a unique opportunity to meet with God.

 

            What will happen when life does go back to ‘normal’?  Will those who began a daily time with God, because they were unable to ‘go out,’ but can now, remain dedicated to spending time with God every day?  Life has a way of turning our good intentions into something else, or stealing our intentions completely.

 

            As our lives become increasingly busy again, I suggest it’s vital to our Christian growth, to spend time with the Lord every day.  It’s in this place we will receive blessings that will enable us to follow the call and directives of God day by day.

Hard Decisions

         

        It is hard with young children to explain why Mom and Dad fight all the time and end in separation or divorce.  My own daughter had an experience with a friend of hers while in elementary school.  

          After returning to school following the holidays my daughter asked her friend, “Did you have a nice Christmas?”  Her friend replied, “No.”  “Why?” My daughter responded.  “Cause of Mom,” her friend answered.  Bewildered, my daughter asked, “What did your Mom do?”  Her friend’s response, “She didn’t spend Christmas with Daddy.”   My daughter was horrified and had no clue how to respond!

As adults, we accept this kind pain, despite how difficult, try to deal with it and move on.  It’s different with children.  It is beyond their understanding.  All they understand is their love for both their parents, and their fear of losing one or both.  They often feel responsible, filling them with guilt that isn’t theirs.  

 

It's always interesting, especially over the holidays, watching the Hallmark Christmas movies, which are set to begin again soon.  Several of the movies will deal with the loss of a spouse, but others deal with separation and divorce and the problems it creates for the children.  Obviously, on TV, eventually everything turns out all right, especially with the backdrop of 'Christmas'.  Life isn’t necessarily quite as kind, and it takes some hard decisions to get everything in order.

 

God wants order.  He doesn’t want our lives all mixed up and sad.  The holidays seem to accentuate whatever it is we are going through --- especially when it’s sadness.  God promised to give us guidance, if we ask him.  As adults, when things get tough, we need to seek God’s will in our lives and remember that our decisions not only affect our lives but those around us, including our children, and extended family.  

 

This doesn’t mean that hard decisions won’t still come.  Whether it’s divorce, moving, changing jobs, financial problems, health issues or any number of situations, we need to seek God’s face so that we can handle unpleasant situations not only from an adult perspective, but enable us to guide our children through it, as well.

 

It’s encouraging to know God is “in the house!”  He is our source of strength, every single day, with just a whispered breath crying out to Him.  He is our support who holds us in the palm of His hand.  Life is a continuing cycle and every person is affected in some way by circumstances they hadn’t planned for.  But Christ knows our needs even better than we do.  He knows the beginning from the end and just how things will work out.

 

So, if you are experiencing any kind of change or hardship--regardless of the time of year, give the problem to God.  Begin now; this year, month, week, day and even moment to moment.  Listen for His will and allow him to work out the details.  Do your best in all things, and let Him do the rest!