Change, Prayers and Golf Balls

Life is so full of the unknown, unexpected and unplanned.  The world is a mess and sometimes our thoughts and emotions aren’t far behind.  We can’t predict the location of the next earthquake or what might happen tomorrow in the Middle East.  Even our best guess at where and who we’ll be tomorrow or a year from now is simply that, a guess.

So, we rest.  We recline and relax in the knowledge that God is our Father.  Jesus is our Master and has given us all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), has promised that we will suffer for Him (2 Tim 3:12), yet He will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear (1 Cor 10:13).  He will meet our needs as we seek Him first (Mat 7:33), will finish the work He started in us (Phil 1:6), is returning to take us to the place He’s prepared (Jn 14:3), has blessed us with the same power that raised Him from the dead (Rom 8:11), has charged His angels to protect us (Ps 91:11).  As we abide in Him, He abides in us will produce fruit (Jn 15:4)! 

The noise of the world and the worries in our hearts are made silent as we spend time with the Lord and allow His word to transform us.  We find blessing in responding to His love in obedience and service to Him.  And we realize that no matter what the future holds, sadness or sickness, poverty or persecution, mistakes and missteps, none of it matters.  For we know (and can testify!) that all things work together for good to those who love God (Rom 8:28).  All we need to do is give Him each moment, each minute, each day of our lives.

Tomorrow, my sister, my one and only close relative here in Virgina, is moving back to Kansas where the rest of my family lives.  I know I'll be fine, but I can feel myself repressing feelings of jealousy and self pity.  Both sit in my stomach like rocks and in my throat like... golf balls... or something.  We're going over to help them finish packing the truck tonight and I'm afraid of melting into a huge mess of tears.  But obviously I need to quit making this so much about me.

At my request, their family and friends have been secretly sending me little blessing/prayer cards for their move.  I just finished writing mine and compiling the rest of the cards into a journal.  I'm excited that it turned out well and pray that they will receive blessing and encouragement from it.  The plan is to surprise them with it tonight and give strict instructions not to read it until they are on the road.

 

Been sitting here for five minutes trying to think of what to title this post.  Nothing seems worthy.  Nothing seems accurate.