Seemingly Impossible Situations

(2 Kings 6:8-19)

How often do we wish life would be easier, that the challenges would be fewer, that our lives would be less complicated?

          Some days I wake up excited about the day ahead,

          while other days I lay in bed wondering if I have the strength to be the
          person God is calling me to be.

          And then other times I simply try to live out a "normal" day as a wife
          and mother when, out of the blue, unexpected difficulties slam me to the
          ground.  On days like that it is hard to breathe, hard to find a positive
          perspective, hard to focus my disoriented mind.

Reminds me of a day when I was 16 years old.  That was the first week that I had noticed at school the blond haired, blue eyed, handsome guy who had just moved to town.  When I saw him, my heart did a little flip flop, and I immediately began to dream up ways to meet him.  Surprisingly, I didn't have to take the first step toward him, for he came up to me to introduce himself.  I vividly remember him leaning against my orange locker, smiling sweetly at me, telling me his name was Jeff (6 years later he would become my husband).  It was a dream-come-true moment which I did not want to pass.

Then it happened.

Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a guy running toward us.  He was a large football player who was being chased by one of his friends.  No big deal, really, except that he was looking back at his friend as he was running, rather than looking forward...and he was heading my way.  Within a matters of maybe 2 seconds, this huge guy barreled me over, knocking my tiny 5' frame to the ground.  I was flat on my back, couldn't catch my breath, and prayed that somehow Jeff didn't notice my obvious predicament.  I had been side-swiped, and I felt like it was impossible for my teen years to ever recover from that embarrassment.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation from which you thought you could never escape?

• Maybe you have felt the intense grief of losing your spouse, and you feel like you will never be able to move forward with life again.

• Maybe you have prayed for years and years for a child who has rejected Christ, yet you do not see any indication that he may be coming back to the God who created him.

• Maybe you want to adopt one specific child, but circumstances are stacked against this happening, so you wonder if it is possible for this child to ever join your family.

• Maybe your marriage is on the rocks, and has been that way for so long, that you want restoration to occur, but doubt that it ever will.

• Maybe you live each day with chronic pain, suffering in ways that others cannot fathom, and you are worried that you may never know a day without pain again.

•  Maybe you have been looking for a job for months or years longer than you ever thought you would, and now you feel unwanted, unneeded, with nothing of value to offer people.

There is so much pain in this world, isn't there?  So much uncertainty.  So many seemingly impossible situations that surround us, which can grip us with fear, sadness, and maybe even bitterness, leaving us to wonder how we ever landed in this shaky spot.

People throughout the ages have struggled, too.  In 2 Kings 6:8-19, Elisha's servant found himself in a horribly difficult situation.  You see, the king of Syria had tried over and over to attack the king of Israel, but was unable to carry out his battle plans because the Israeli king kept finding out his strategies before they took place!  In searching out how this could happen, the Syrian king learned that God disclosed these battle plans to Elisha, a prophet, who then passed on this privy information to the king of Israel.  This greatly infuriated the king of Syria, so his next plan of attack was to send his great army of men, horses and chariots, to surround and attack Elisha, in order that the prophet's words could no longer be used against him.  So he mobilized his men during the night, waiting for morning to take him.

As the sun began to rise, Elisha's servant came out of the tent first, completely unaware of the impending doom all around him.  I can just see him, slowly meandering outside, stretching, yawning, when, all of a sudden, as he saw the army directed toward him, he froze in fear, unable to take another step forward.  In every direction the enemy was poised to attack their camp.  I bet in that instant, his heart rate quickened, his knees weakened, and his mind registered on the notion that they were stuck in this difficult, maybe deadly, situation, with no way out.

           Seemingly impossible situations.

Speaking (yelling frantically?) to Elisha, he said, "Alas, my master!  What shall we do?"
           An army against an individual.
                        Impossible odds.

But Elisha did not focus on the danger around them.  Yes, he saw the army pointed at him, but that was not all that he saw.  God gave him the ability to look beyond what his physical eyes told him, to the spiritual world, which was just as real.  Gently, without fear, he told his servant these words, which have just as much bearing on our lives today as they did to their's back then:

         "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

And the Lord opened the servant's eyes to see that "the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."  They were not alone.  The Lord's army was exceedingly powerful, and ready to protect them...ready to do battle against the enemy...ready to win.

Take those words from Scripture and make them your own.
           Do not be afraid.
                      Do not lose hope.
                                  Do not allow yourself to believe that your situation is
                                  too great for the Lord to handle.

Take your eyes off of what you see here on earth for a moment, and ask God to show you that there is a heavenly reality surrounding your situation.  God has a plan.  He knows exactly where you are, and is working in and through you at this very moment. 

He may completely deliver you from your challenges...He may give you unexpected, yet wonderful answers...He may keep you where you are so that you can gain the strength you need by growing closer to Him.  I don't know, but however He answers your plea for help, bask in His goodness, cling to His presence, and trust Him with your very life.  Look to the Word and to the Holy Spirit within you for confirmation of the spiritual forces working in and around you.  And sing praises to your Lord, for you are not alone, and that makes all the difference.
 



   

Speaking Life

(Hebrews 3:13, Psalm 119:103)

With 5 kids, some days I feel like all we are doing is going, going, going, and not enjoying being a family.  Because of that, I decided not too long ago that it is important for us to cut out time to purposefully slow down and simply enjoy being together.  There are two major ways we do this:  for one, Thursdays are now set aside as family game night, where we can team up in a round of Sorry, act silly with Charades, or fall all over each other laughing as we play Twister.  It's refreshing to let loose and have fun, and it reminds us just how much we all enjoy being in a family together.

The second thing I have done is to schedule one-on-one time with everyone, where each child gets my undivided attention one night per week at bedtime.  This turns out to be about an hour of us sitting on the bed together, talking about life, God, or whatever comes to mind.  In this small act, I have learned some incredible things about my children, and have been amazed more than once at how open and vulnerable they tend to be during this sweet time.

Last night was my night to spend with Carl, my adopted son.  He has been struggling with his value and worth since he joined our family 3 years ago.  I could tell that he was beginning to build his identity on some of the negative things that people have told him over the years, such as:

      "You are a mean person."
                                 "You are stupid."
                                                       "You are selfish."
                                                                            "No one wants you."

As I was about to enter his room, I threw up a quick prayer.  "Lord, I don't know exactly what to say to Carl tonight, but he needs life-giving words.  Would you please speak through me?"

When I opened his door, I found him in bed, his light out, and his covers over his head, pretending to be asleep.  It was obvious that he did not want to talk.  That caused me to pause for a moment.  I knew that he needed this time of interaction, though, so I turned the light on, and sat down beside him, praying that our time together would draw us closer as mother and son.

What happened in the next hour was absolutely beautiful.  God led us from small-talk, just getting our conversation started, to a stroll down memory lane.  I love how God knew exactly what Carl needed at that moment.  You see, even though Carl tends to have a tough exterior, God has shown me over and over that my son's heart is actually quite tender and loving, so I told Carl a few stories about his own life where I had noticed that he had been exceptionally kind to people.  As I talked, he began to sit up and really listen, and he asked me over and over to tell him more stories where I had witnessed him doing something good for others.  It was as if he was starved for someone to fill him up with truthful, encouraging words, and he drank in the words deeply.

At one point I took a break from the stories, and asked him if he could see that God had, indeed, created him to be a kind, sweet person who loved people?  And with bright eyes he said yes, he had always thought that way about himself.  He just didn't think anyone around him could see that.

Then the conversation brought in other wonderful aspects of who God made Carl to be.

        He is a talented artist who loves to build and fix things.
               He is a hard worker, and tries to do tasks to the best of his ability.
                      Little children are drawn to him.
                                             And the list went on.

As the hour drew to an end, I praised God for the renewed life that He had breathed into both Carl and myself that evening through the power of words.


Words.  Simple little things that can build up or destroy a person in a moment's notice.

Words.  We tend to hang onto the words that have been spoken into our lives...good and bad...We need to be careful what we say to others.

Words.  God gives us His ultimate Word of Truth through Scripture, and Satan tries so hard to tear down those Truths with lies. 

                                             Which will we believe? 
                                  Which will we allow to penetrate our hearts? 
                         Which are we speaking to our children and spouses?

Words.  Beautiful gifts of life.  Don't keep them to yourself.  Give them away generously.
       

Hebrews 3:13 - "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

Psalm 119:103 - "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Constant Expectation

 (John 14:3)

Yesterday school was closed.  Not because it had snowed the night before, but because there was a high chance of it to begin snowing throughout the day.  It was an unexpected blessing, giving us the chance to enjoy time together with family and friends.  I found, though, that no matter what we did, whether it was watching a movie together, rearranging bedrooms, petting the dogs, making cookies, or whatever, there was a constant expectation that at any moment it would begin to snow.

Our snow gear was pulled out and ready to be worn, sleds were found in the garage, wood was stacked by the fireplace, and hot chocolate and marshmallows were lined up in the cabinet, waiting to be consumed.  We were ready...prepared...for the great arrival of the snow.  We just didn't know what time it would come.  We were certain it was on its way, though!  The newscasters had told us there was a 100% chance of snow.  It was coming, and there was no way we would be missed.  So we went about our day, living life somewhat normally, yet with a bit more joy in our steps, a feeling of expectation quickening our heart rates, and a constant glance out the windows knowing that at some point we would see snow.  It would come as promised.  And our day would be even better because of its arrival.

As we waited, I couldn't help but think that one day an event even greater than snow will happen.  It won't just hit parts of the US like the snow did, but will come to every nation on earth.  It will be an event more spectacular than anything we have ever yet experienced.  There is 100% chance that this will happen.  Yes, without a doubt, one day Jesus will return!  It has been promised, foretold.  He didn't want us to wonder if we would ever see Him again, so He told us that He will, most certainly, return.  That's how I know.  John 14:3 tells us Jesus' words:  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

He is coming back some day.  
                                     Maybe even today!!     
                                                              Are we ready for His arrival?

I went through great lengths to make sure I was prepared for the arrival for the snow.
   What have I done today to prepare for the arrival of my Lord?

I kept looking out the window, believing that the snow was, indeed, coming.
   Do I truly believe that Jesus will be coming back?  
 Am I watching for Him?

I was thrilled about the idea of the coming of the snow...couldn't wait for it to happen.
  How excited am I about Jesus' return?

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and joy of the snow.  What a gift.  Most most of all, though, thank you for the reminder that something...someONE...much, much greater than the snow will be coming as well.  In fact, He is the One who washes us white as snow, isn't He?  As I look out the window, seeing the beauty and peace that is emanated from a world blanketed with snow, it makes me slow down and ponder the gift that Christ blankets His children with robes of righteousness.  

Ignite our hearts to beat for You, Lord Jesus.  Fill us with joy and expectation for Your return.  And show us how to best prepare ourselves while we wait.  I don't want to be caught not caring.
                                                        
                                                                              I want to be ready.   

Playing on the Steps of Life

(Psalm 40:16)

I am in St. Louis this week, taking a class...so close to graduating.  When we broke for lunch yesterday, I walked over to the apartment complex where I am staying.  I opened the main door to the building, and was overjoyed to see an adorable little girl.  She seemed to be around 18 months old, she had fine, wispy blond hair, and big blue eyes.  She had on a pair of cute pink boots, and a big blue parka that was zipped to her chin.  She had obviously either just come inside from the cold, or was bundled up to go out.  At first she didn't notice me, for

          she was completely caught up in the joy of playing on the steps.

                              She'd go up 2 or 3 steps,
                                                                   then down,
                                                           then up,
                                                                       then down,
                                                                                 giggling the whole time.

As I watched her, I kept expecting her mom to come around the corner, but after a minute or two of waiting, I became concerned, so I sat down with the baby girl to talk to her.

 

"Hi!  Do you know how cute you are?  I am Twila.  What's your name?  You are having a great time on these steps, aren't you?"

Of course her answer to my questions was simply a tilt of her head with a questioning look in her eyes.

Then, still acting as if she could have a grand conversation with me, I asked the question,

              "Where is your Mommy?  Do you know?  Do you live in one of these apartments?"

Immediately, as this little one recognized the name 'Mommy', she looked around, and realizing that she was apart from her mother, she formed a sad pout on her face.  All of a sudden, she missed her mom deeply, and wanted to be with her.

Before any tears fell, though, the back door opened, and in came the little girl's mother.  She was having a hard time getting this girl's brother to come inside from the playground.  As soon as the little girl saw her mommie, who obviously was near and dear to her, she ran as fast as she could to her, and wrapped her arms around her mother's legs, loving the reunion.

As I walked on to my apartment, I began to wonder about times in my life when I have been distant from God, my Father.  Times when I wandered away for a bit - not intending to, but still drifted away.

          Maybe it was a time I was praying and got distracted by the phone - but never came back to my prayers.

         Then there was last Sunday when I was caught up in the sermon, only to find myself in the next moment listing out in my mind possible places we could go for lunch.

               
                  How does the song go?  Something like, "Lord, I am prone to wander, I can feel it."  

                                                                                    Yes.  That is so me.

          

There are a myriad of reasons why during those moments, days, weeks, and sometimes even months in my life, I wander away from the One I love.  Many of them are wonderful blessings in my life that I have allowed to overtake who I am and what I do...

                Family.          Books.          Friends.          Serving.          Relaxing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things.  In fact, they are all great blessings for me.  But when they become the first thing I think about when I wake up, what I focus on all day, and what is the last thing to cross my mind as I drift into sleep, then there is something vitally out of balance.

When I become aware of how much I am trying to draw life from these areas of my life...on my own...apart from God...that is when I pause and find myself feeling weak, tired, empty.  I am like the little girl enjoying the thrill of the steps, until she realizes that something greater is missing from her life, at which point the steps lose their power, and all she can think about is reconnecting with her mother.

Are you in a place where you have shelved God?  Are you so distracted with life that you have unintentionally walked away from time with Jesus?  If you are completely honest with yourself, have you tried to find meaning and importance in the blessings God has given you, rather than in God Himself, who, alone, is the only One who can breathe new, refreshing, strengthening life into you?

My prayer for you (and me) today is that God will stir within you a longing to be close to Him again.  And as you find Him, whether it is in His Word, through prayer, from a friend who reflects His goodness, in the sunset, or wherever He meets you...may your heart rejoice in the reunion!  And may the words on your lips be, "The Lord is great!"

Psalm 40:16

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”

 

The Gift of Story

Story. Such a small, yet powerful word. Stories have always been an important part of my life. I recall Granddaddy, who lived with us as I was growing up, tell me “jigs”, which were funny little stories told in poem form that seemed to have no worthwhile meaning. Oh, but they did have meaning: they built a bridge of laughter and love between Granddaddy and me, as he came up with endless stories that never grew dull. I can still hear him now, “Charlie Brown, went to town, riding a horse, leading a hound. Hound it barked, horse it jumped. Threw little Charlie Brown straddle of a stump.” Still makes me smile. Then there was Grandmother who only knew two fairy tales. One about “Little One Eye, Little Two Eye, and Little Three Eye”, and the other about “Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail”. I must have heard those stories told by her a million times; yet still, every night I spent the night in their part of the house, I longed to hear her tell them again.

There is something about story that draws us in, piques our interest, and invites us to places we have never been. God gave us incredible minds that can imagine the tales we are told in such a way that brings the stories alive in full technicolor. It's no wonder He gave us the Bible, a book of stories, more fanciful, amazing and intriguing than any other book around. It's a book about heroes and villains, kings and kingdoms, war and peace, bounty and loss, love and family, joy and sorrow, life and death. It's a book that invites us in and educates us of our beginnings, our brokenness, our purposes, and our futures. Unlike other stories, in a very real way, it breathes life into our aching souls, gives power to defeat spiritual foes, and explains to us who we are in this world.

                   Amazingly, it also is a book that is still being written.

                                                               God's story is not yet over.

No, God is not still adding pages to Scripture, as that is complete; but He is still writing the story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration on the pages of history. And we are very real characters, with very important purposes, in this incredible story.

For the longest time I simply went through my days as if my life had no bearing on anything at all. I am convinced now, though, that each and every one of us has been given a life of great value, worth and meaning. I am humbled by that. Lord, mold me and use me in ways so that I may fully realize my purpose for being. Use me for Your glory. Show me where to go, what to do, who to become, who to reach out to. Speak to me on the pages of my own story-board, so that I might follow Your will for my life, rather than my own self-centered desires. Show me, Lord, who You have created me to be all along. Illuminate to me parts of my life that have always shown patterns, gifts, longings and dreams which have served to point me in the direction You would have me go. Make me more aware of who I am in You, and who You are in me, as we travel down this path of life together. I am not alone in this, am I? Thank you, Lord, for always being there, leading me, guiding me, loving me. Even when I was at my worst, You never booted me from your story.