Time Passes

Time passes and my nerves thin. I hold his hand, bringing him to get changed and it happens...that annoying habit of the small and dearly loved.

 He goes limp.

The hand holding turns into pulling and coaxing - why can't he just walk in the direction I have chosen for him. Doesn't he know I know the best way?

I can't help but think of the times I've gone limp holding my Savior's hand. Here we are walking, hand-in-hand, a beautiful path together. His thoughts, my thoughts; His path, mine. We walk in peace and security. No distractions, just the quiet, still voice, the leading of Him who loves me most.

Until... I go limp. Hand still held high -- reaching up. Reaching, but not wanting. Not wanting the path that has been chosen for me. My thoughts cloud over. I forget, it's a path chosen JUST for me. I hang there lost in my own indecision. Hand still held high but the weight of my own stubbornness pulling me hard to the earth. Weighed down like rocks making a protective wall around my heavy heart. I've changed direction, the path is not so straight, and the heaviness is all-consuming. It's a power issue. A fight for control. My head is dazed, I thought I knew the way. But it's all so clear that I do not. Who is to lead, who is to follow. I have to decide here and now who is in control. Where the wall is built.

The limp, the heavy, the stubborn, controlling body of a child of God. 

Time passes, I stop, thank God for this small, strong body and receive the calming hand of my Lord. I receive it much like the small, dangling child writhing on the floor. In my own time, but it's just a short time.... the loving arms of mom (my Savior) are too warm and too inviting to stray away from for too long. He is my only way. The only path worth walking, my only security.

For I, the Lord your God, 
will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, 
Fear not, I will help you.
--Isaiah 41:13

Plan 'B'

Psalm 5:11 "But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You, 

Let them ever shout for joy, 

because You defend them; 

Let those also who love Your name 

Be Joyful in You. 

For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; 

With favor You will surround him as with a shield." 

What are you doing today that requires FAITH? 

Is there something gnawing at your soul. Are you at a point where you feel hopeless about a certain situation. Are you ready to give up on God's plan and opt for Plan 'B'? 

Why is it we feel like we need a back-up plan when it comes to reliance on God? 

In times of stress it may seem that to sit back and do nothing is just that...

...to do nothing--

But nothing could be further from the truth when it come to God. 

When it comes to reliance on God 'nothing' can mean endurance (James 5:11), 

patience (Psalm 37:7), 

rest(Psalm 127:2), 

or reliance (John 14:1).

This is a time when you need to dig deep, to push away the stored-up layers of self-reliance, impatience, and fear. Dig until you find the you only God knows. Find that you and sit there a minute. It may feel uncomfortable at first-- it's different, it's raw, but it's clean. 

This is the you that Christ died for. This is the you that God proclaimed - This one is my Chosen, I can do great things with him. 

Are you more comfortable yet?? 

It takes some getting used to. It's not a side you are ready to share-- it's too bare, it's too-- vulnerable

But it's the you that He can make the most of. It's the one that says,  

"O Lord my God, in You I put my trust" (Psalm 7:1).  

It takes fear and turns it to falsehood. It takes restlessness and turns it to peaceful slumber. It takes a dirty wretch and makes him righteous before Him.

Relying on your own understanding will weigh you down. Trust in ME absolutely, and I will make your path straight. Isn't that what we're all longing for in our confused, human state? A Straight path.

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; 

Make Your way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8

Don't give up. He will lead you. Hold on. Find the you only He can see and hold on to that trust in Him. He will never leave you. He's just waiting for you to draw near to Him. Be faithful and He will do wonderful things with you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27