Thursday, March 31, 2022

Enjoy the Ride


 Since my husband, Bill, drove, I put my head back and closed my eyes. I felt tired. A day after doctors' appointments and errands, we left for yet another doctor’s appointment.

 I dozed. But every now and then I opened my eyes to enjoy the fields and trees zipping by. Basking in the warmth of the morning sun, I felt no responsibility. After all, Bill was behind the wheel. He steered and braked and stayed alert to other motorists. He certainly wanted to provide a safe ride for us. And a feeling of deep peace swept over me.

 As I enjoyed this unusual feeling of tranquility, I thought about my life. I am no more in charge of life than I am in charge of driving when I’m not behind the wheel. (Oh, sure, I “help” Bill drive from time to time, but he is an excellent driver. I trust him.)

 I then realized I should feel such peace about life in general. Yes, I am responsible to do what I can to contribute to a healthy, safe ride through the years. I can’t walk in front of trains and expect angels to protect me. But after I’ve taken care of myself, I can leave my trip, the rest of my days, in God’s hands and be at peace.

 If trouble jumps into my way, God has permitted it and will help me deal with it. I am not immune to accidents. I come in contact with germs, and I will suffer the vagaries of aging. In scripture, Solomon alerts us to what lies ahead: “Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work . . . ” (Ecclesiastes 12:3 NIV).

 While I don’t like to think about hands that shake and dentures, it’s true. No matter our ages now, we assume we’ve boarded a long trip. Unless we die young, we’re going to grow old. But while we are responsible to eat healthfully and to exercise, we can leave our journey in God’s hands. Psalm 139 reminds us God knows everything about us and plans our trip, down to the rest stops. His hand holds the steering wheel, and His strength supports us.

 “Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16).

 God shares responsibility with us about earthly matters, so we need not lose sleep worrying. We are not going to live forever. And neither are our loved ones. While we cooperate with God in making wise choices, our temporal future is also influenced by actions far beyond our control.

 As we ponder the day behind and look forward to the day ahead, we can feel as tranquil as I felt that morning as we drove through the countryside. God is behind the wheel.

 Something to think about: Are you trying to take the wheel of your life from God? What kind of bumps have you hit in the road? Are you in need of a rest stop? Are you enjoying the journey? Does your tank need spiritual fuel?

 (The photo shows Bill behind the wheel back in the day. We drove many happy, carefree miles in that 1957 Ford.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, March 4, 2022

When Life Puzzles Us



There were only a few slots left in this jigsaw puzzle (first photo) where the last few pieces might fit. But they didn't! It was puzzling. And frustrating. This happened once before with another jigsaw puzzle, and it turned out two identically shaped pieces were in the wrong slots. Hmmmm.

I feel as though life right now is like this puzzle. I feel unsettled. I worry about this and that–health, aging, the world situation. Yet, hey, I’m a Christian and I should not feel this way. Right? Christians know God is on His throne, so all is well.

Well, today I’m unsettled, so I consider how to approach my problem.

I will ask my two Friends of the Heart to pray for me. My problems seem miniscule compared to the problems in the world. There are thousands upon thousands of people trying to leave Ukraine because of war, and they’re stuck in lines or shelters, on foot or in cars.

Here I am. A dot in the grand scheme of things. One little person. But author Sarah Young in MORNINGS WITH JESUS reminds me God cares–even about little dots. Jesus invites us to bring Him our problems and consider them an opportunity to trust Him more. So I will ask my friends to pray for me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God” (Philippians 1:4 NIV).

I will focus on today, rather than worry about tomorrow. Life is so surprising. When I think back over the things I’ve worried about, I realize how useless worry is. It does not change a thing. And most things never happened. Yet I do need to be concerned enough to deal with some things. God has helped me in the past when puzzling things happened, so I must distinguish between problems to deal with and those to leave in God’s Hands.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

I will read God’s Word. I sometimes find it hard to find a personal message in Old Testament passages about laws and rituals and wars. But I keep looking, and there’s always something there to apply to my life. So I will keep reading.

“How sweet are your words . . . sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).

 And I will keep on praying. Prayer usually settles my heart. As I bring my needs and the needs of others before the Lord, I can see that my needs are small. I know God will be faithful one way or another.

 "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 Just this morning as Kim and I wound up a conversation about the world situation, she said, “We will keep our noses in the scripture, our prayers going up, and we’ll keep on walkin’.”

 Amen to that. I feel better already. And as you can see, the puzzle pieces finally fell into place– although one final piece is nowhere to be found. I will keep on lookin’.