I remember back 18 years ago...I was just heading into my Sr. year. My brother, Stan, was into rock climbing/repelling at the time. He took a group from our church out to a repelling wall and was very eager for us to experience "the thrill" of stepping off a 40 ft. wall (backwards). When it finally came my turn to "take the plunge," I was SO nervous, and yet had perfect peace. You see, in my opinion Stan was an expert. He had tons of experience and knowledge and had repelled off things MUCH harder than what we were doing that day. I will never forget looking down from the wall and seeing him standing there holding my rope. I was in his hands! He had me! I had nothing to fear! The hardest part however was simply taking the first step backward. It was letting go. Even though I trusted Stan with my life....I still wanted some control over the situation. Although the minute I stepped off, the "control" (I thought I had) would now be in someone else's hands. I can still remember Stan's words....."I've got you! It's ok!" Of course, you can probably guess the ending to the story. I took the step and loved every minute of it! It was amazing! A definite rush of adrenaline...and something I would do again in a heartbeat. I have thought of this particular situation (and others like it) through the years. Isn't life a lot like this? We (THINK) we have control over a certain area in our life...we hold on ever so tightly to it, and yet the Lord is asking us to "take a step of faith." To trust Him!! Jeremiah 29:11 tells us:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I have been overly burdened lately by this whole concept. I want so badly to hold onto something I think I have control over. (I DON'T BY THE WAY!!!) The Lord is reminding me in a tangible way through this story to just "Let Go!" To trust Him. He loves me more than anyone else on earth and has an awesome plan for ME! Little 'ole Lori. He doesn't want to harm me, but rather give me hope and a future. Wow! Why is it so hard for us to trust Him with matters of life? If we know that He is in control and has incredible things in store for us (things we cannot even imagine).....WHY do we cement our feet on the top of the repelling wall and refuse to step off and trust Him? Oh!...the "thrill"......the "rush" (the blessings) we miss out on when we don't let go and trust!
"Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to......................"
***Caed had a good day. He went to his play therapy session this afternoon and did well. She feels that he definitely has LOTS of things still inside him. I agree and told her he has really begun to verbalize some of them to me here in the last week or so. Next, we went to his GI dr. Caed weighed 33 lbs. again this week. Would have loved to have seen "34, " but also very thankful he didn't lose any. So, we'll keep on truckin' along with G-feeds (20 hrs./day).
Nana, Reagan, & Caed went to the fish
store this morning and got some new fish for
the pond. (kinda reminds me of a scene
from Nemo!! ha!)
Caed named his "Speedy" and Reagan
named hers "Goldie."
3 comments:
You just hang in there Lori, you just have no idea how many people's lives you are touching, encouraging, etc by blogging the way you do. I can see God blessing you in so many ways and using you to bless others. You are a true testament to the statement "I could never go through something like that!" The thing is God is right there beside us and He will NEVER let us go! May your trust and faith just continue to grow.
hugs and kisses
love you all
Tina
You have captured exactly the situation for so many of us - taking that step of faith - trusting God's character. I don't know why that is so hard for me to actually follow through - I can know in my head that God loves me, has plans for my good, but it is so hard to trust with your heart and your actions. How wonderful that He is always ready to catch us in His hands when we finally let go and take that step.
Thanks, again, for allowing God to use you to minister to us.
Thank you, Father, for this time of improvement and calm for Caed.
You probably don't realize that you just wrote one of the most powerful devotionals I have ever read!! WOW! I am not sure I have had the chance to tell you that you have been used a LOT to minister to the women in our church--I get to share some of your writings with them at our GATHERINGS! This one is no different--think you just helped me finalize this year's theme!! THANKS for be such an anointed & willing vessel!! I LOVE YOU!!
Believing God to be HUGE--Angela Smith
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