“Trusting God is always the right thing to do.”
It might not always look like the “smartest” thing to do, but as each day dawns, if we seek the Lord with a yielded heart, doing the best we can, slippin’ and slidin’ along the way, He is our support.
His Hand is our hope and stay.
He offers grace, “unmerited favor,” and mercy, “not giving us what we deserve.” God is a faithful Father.
And God spoke from heaven in Luke 9:35, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
There was a day I heard God say those words to me, so I spend time each day trying to do just that – to “hear Him”
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14.
Perhaps I’ll spend my lifetime discovering what this verse is all about. But today I write because we celebrate the birthday of my 9th child, David.
Happy Birthday David! How can you actually be 17 years old today?
Born in the year 2000, I will never have to stop and do math to figure out your age. My 2000 baby.
David, you are such a blessing. Words could never express.
From the beginning, well, you did have a bit of a rough beginning, at least from my point of view – you were my biggest baby of the 11 at 8lbs 14 oz.
But for you, it was probably wonderful to be breathing well at birth because you had the chord wrapped around your neck during delivery. Thanks to the best midwife on the planet, Marylou Nalducci,
and our Lord Jesus, (who was watching out for you then and is watching out for you now,)
you recovered it all. The purple blue face for the first few days, all the prodding from the Neonatologist, the tests. And then later, coming home to a houseful of kids who couldn’t wait to hold you.
It is days like this when you can say with a heart skipping with joy, “It is always right to trust the Lord.”
And now to think, you will be approaching your Senior year in high school. And smart as can be. No damage done in that rough beginning, that’s for sure.
“Thank you Lord.”
David, 17 years later your mom and dad will still tell you, “It’s always right to trust the Lord.” We might not always say it with an outward “skip and a hop,” in our voice, but with a deep resound.
But God has shown himself faithful daily. To you, to me, to our entire family. That is why your mom and dad love the Lord so much David. Because He loves us first.
And He blessed us on June 3 with you! “Trusting God is always the right thing to do!”
But you have experienced and seen for yourself, in the 17 young years of your life, that “trusting God” in life is a bit like a marathon. It has it’s ups and downs and dizzy spells and muscle aches.
Sometimes “trusting God” just plain hurts. Especially if you feel you are on mile 17 of the run, or again on mile 26, with rubber knees and bleeding toes! ( I wouldn’t know from running specifically.)
But experientially, your mom and dad can say, David, It’s always right to trust the Lord. You see, He is the One who directs your steps through the rough terrain and the smooth.
He’s there at the beginning. He waits for us to believe. He hears us when we bleed. He helps us persevere. And in Him, He helps us succeed.
Seek His face as you wake. Hear His voice in His word. Talk to Him throughout your day.
Trust God. He is faithful. Always.
David, before you get out of bed, take a hold of your Father’s hand – your Father in heaven, and follow His lead. He will show you the way.
I love you, forever,
mom
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.“ Proverbs 3:5,6.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“ Psalm 62:8.
“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13.
Tag: birthday
A Salvation Story. Do I come out of the rain?
God holds the Umbrella that I come out of the rain.
Why the struggle? Why the delay?
God holds the Umbrella. He cares about me.
Did I forget? Or did I simply leave?
Do I find contentment in lies that bring strife? Am I choosing to destroy my very own life?
Can I make the choice to step out of the comforts of despair?
Or do I keep my head down on the puddles, believing lies of being victim. Staying, pitifully there.
He bids me with thunder and lightning to fear and to look. In the Light, through the flash,
I see the hand of His Son.
It’s reached out towards me.
Then I see His face.
His eyes, . . .
are grace.
He calls my name. I hear the words,”Come.”
Directly in my heart, I feel Him look.
Burning.
Revelation comes, Truth is alive.
He waits.
Immediately, there’s strength that wasn’t there. Hope to lay down the shame. To cast off the pain.
God is offering me to come out of the rain.
Again, He calls my name.
Do I receive Him and take hold of His hand?
Why is it so hard? Why would I choose to stay out in the cold? To reject the dance. To stay wet in distress?
In an instant I choose.
I lift my eyes to meet His.
In an instant my garments are made new. Gloriously cleansed. I take hold of His hands. With all of my being, I know at last, I have found Love. He loved me first.
He desires me.
The rain is still falling, but I don’t even care. Because Love has captured all of my being. Love has called me. He has lifted me up.
I turn to kiss His cheek. He smiles.
He is pleased.
Everything new, everything possible, we dance, and we dance under the grand Umbrella. The canopy of protection, with a symphony of grace. As it rains, Love and I look face to face.
With a long-lost song that returns in my heart, I will sing as I dance, and make day of the night.