It''s Scary in the Dark!

Since the weather is warm Brett and I are trying to get back in the habit of walking before work. Right now that means it is still dark when we start out. It is so hard to crawl out of bed to walk when it is dark.  We have knuckle lights but usually only turn them on if a car is coming toward us. Brett doesn't like the light bouncing around while we are walking, so we walk in the dark.

This sometimes causes me stress.  Which makes no sense, because the place we walk is the exact spot we walk when it is light.  I know the way.  I know the surroundings.  I know there are not things waiting to jump out and get me.  When it is light out, I feel no anxiety.  What makes the difference.

In the light, I can see everything around me.  In the light, a stick in the road doesn't look like a snake. In the light, the movement of the branches doesn't become something out to get me.  In the light, the hole in the road doesn't jump out and trip me,(OK sometimes it does). In the light, cars can see me better.  In the light, you can see when sudden noises are just a squirrel or bird skittering by.

THE LIGHT TAKES AWAY MY FEARS.

There is such a lesson here.  When I am walking in the light of Jesus, I should not feel anxiety either.

When I am walking in His light, I know the difference between truth and a lie.  In His light my selfishness becomes clear.  In His light, my pride stands out.  In His light, my sins are not lurking in the shadows to trip me up.  I can face them head on and deal with them.  In His light I know he loves me.  In His light, I am enough.  In His light, HE is enough.

Walking in the dark makes us anxious and afraid.  Walking in the light calms our fears.

John 12:35-36 "Jesus replied, "my light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can so the darkness will not overtake you.  Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.  Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light."
         

Life can change in a minute.

Life can change in a matter of minutes.  We all know that.  We just never really expect it to.  It just seems more like a phrase we randomly throw out. Great words of advice we give.  "Make the most of your life because it can change on a dime."

I spent the past weekend at a retreat with some ladies from my church.  I got to hear three amazing women speak about Grace, Hope, and Love.  A part of me will be forever changed by this retreat.  Some things will change by the words spoken by these three ladies, but mostly God talked to me through circumstances of the weekend.  

Our first speaker on Friday night was LaDonne.  She gave an excellent session on Grace.  She is an avid knitter and tied her whole session around knitting.  She talked first about how God knits all of us together in our mother's wombs.  She then talked about how God knits all the things that happen in our lives to form our stories. Then she talked about how our lives and stories are then knit together with others around us to create our life.

Then less than two hours later LaDonne was in an ambulance headed to the hospital unable to feel her feet or legs.  Life CAN change in a matter of minutes.

LaDonne is still in the hospital, they are running numerous tests, she has been through one surgery already, and as of now she still has no feeling from the chest down.  

I am praying for a miracle, but more than praying I am BELIEVING in a miracle.  LaDonne has some other unique and rare medical conditions, and I know God has already performed miracles in her life. In fact, it is probably a miracle that she is even still here. I usually pray KNOWING God CAN do a miracle, but allowing him the out of "if it is your will."  Actually that out really isn't for God, he doesn't need an out he is God.  The out is really for me.  So that if I pray for a miracle, and the specific miracle isn't answered my way, then I am not hurt or disappointed in God.  Then I am not questioning why isn't my faith enough to move mountains?

I listened to LaDonne on Friday night talk about another unrelated health issue they had just discovered, and she said, "but, even if he doesn't,(talking about healing), I am still excited to see what this next chapter holds.  I know this woman has the faith and strength and trust in God to love and serve her God no matter the outcome.  I also know whether LaDonne walks out of that hospital or is wheeled out God is still going to use her.

I am praying for that miracle of complete recovery.  But if it were not to happen, LaDonne would still reflect who God is.  We would see it in her life, and her actions, her love for those around her.  God would still use her, God would not have forgotten her.  Some things about her life might change and be different but her purpose, to reflect God would still be the same.  

Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?"