Gatherings

It’s Thankful Thursday…and I am THANKFUL! I was thinking how God’s teaching this old dog (me!) new tricks! The picture above is our dog. Christian recently taught him to walk on the treadmill a little. He doesn’t love it but he’ll do it as he aimlessly chases the treat ahead of him. He’s 4, not quite an old dog but heading in that direction.

ANYWAY, God is teaching me new things. Actually, it’s old things but in a new way. Confused yet? I’ve really known the Lord my entire life. When I was little I remember asking him to keep me safe every night before I went to bed. I remember asking him to help me. I understood him at a child’s level.

Yes I grew over time but the year my dad was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer my understanding of what it meant to trust him took a HUGE jump! God truly showed me what it meant to trust him as my Good Shepherd. I learned that even if I hadn’t a clue as to how to walk through a certain trial, that I could cling close to him and he would see me through. Step by step we walked together through the valley of the shadow of death and came out on the other side to see the sun once more (though there was a time I couldn’t even imagine tolerating sunshine again!).

To be honest I thought I kinda had this “trusting thing” down. It was a lesson I had finally learned.

But isn’t it totally cool that know matter what lesson you THINK you’ve learned about God there is always waaay more to learn and keep learning? One lesson is never totally mastered. There is always a way to go deeper!!

So here I am again under God’s patient teachings, learning more about trust. This time the lesson is: Do I REALLY trust him with EVERYTHING? Even those things that would be my potential worst nightmare? Do I trust him no matter WHAT happens? Have I totally opened my hands and heart to him to do WHATEVER he wants?

And secondly, do I believe he WILL do what he CAN do? Or do I think, “Oh no, God won’t heal that…he won’t do this.” I believe he can, but do I believe he will? Not that I can control what he does, he is still in control and I have to trust that he has a reason for whatever he does or doesn’t do. But do I pray for those things that seem impossible with even an inkling that he will? Or do I just assume he won’t? Am I boldy approaching the throne with confidence or slinking in saying, “I know you won’t but if you don’t mind do you think you might consider…”

It’s an exciting journey. I can’t help but wonder what he is preparing me for…stay tuned!!

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4
“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he wil look in triumph on his foes.” Psalm 112:7-8