Practice

1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”

As Christians, I believe our Father wishes us to not just to accept Jesus as our Savior, to bring Him into our heart, but also that we go to the mountain top, to our friends, neighbors and the guy next to you in line at the grocery store, and share the glorious news.

I find this next part funny.  Just as with any parent child relationship, if our parents want us to do something we are likely going to procrastinate, complain and avoid the one thing they ask of us.  Oh eventually we’ll do it, but begrudgingly.  Let’s take for instance, practicing.  Most of us have had a sport or an instrument that we enjoyed playing but did not care for the hours of preparation needed behind the scene.  Our parents ask, sometimes even tell us, “go play the trumpet 15 more minutes” or “let’s get 30 more swings in”.  We stomped, mumbled, whined or possibly a little of each of them as we went ahead and did what we were told.

Then one day, you’re up at the plate, 2 outs 2 on, bottom of the 9^th.  You dig in and look to the mound at an imposing figure.  All of a sudden, the ball is headed your way.  Everything is now in slow motion and you think back to your dad hollering out, “come on just 30 more swings”, and realize he was preparing you for this moment.  Confidence builds…and then the realization, your folks were right, practice is important.

Our heavenly Father is asking us for just 30 more swings, 15 minutes on the piano.  I’ll be honest; I have found it difficult to share with others the good news.  I’ve mumbled, whined and maybe stomped a bit.  However, it’s easier now than it was and every time I tell my stories of how I came to Him, how He rescued me on several occasions, I find myself filled a bit more with confidence, with the Spirit.  The light, the fire of God burning brighter than it ever has before!

Today, as you’re going through the mundanes, don’t be shy, take a few minutes to tell someone about the grace He offers us all.

 Father, I don’t always want to do what You want me to, for that I am sorry. Today, give me the words to share Your love with another…Amen

Just What I Needed.

Earlier this summer, we went to a state park here in Missouri that I’ve been visiting for over 35 years.  The park boasts hiking trails, camping, a fish hatchery and a spring-fed river that is stocked with the trout raised at the hatchery.

Every time I enter the park I can recall memories of times spent there with my father, with my brother and now my son.  I’ve met some great people there and stayed connected with 1 or 2.

The park itself has changed substantially; the 100-year-old lodge has closed.  There’s been a bait shop that’s opened and now closed and been torn down.  A new lodge and hotel built.

Along the river, they’ve built a few platforms to allow those who are less agile to get right up to the river and capture some of the same memories I carry with me – like my son’s first catch along the river, him running up the bank rather than reeling in the fish, the whole time screaming at me that he needed some help.

Then there’s the time, like his father, he fell knee deep into that 55 degree water.  He’s a bit younger than I was and both of us showed great restraint in the words chosen and the volume used when that water got to our skin.

Yeah, that place has changed so dramatically but it is still exactly what we remember and is exactly what we need as we drive down into the valley.  It’s funny but my relationship with God is so similar.

As I’ve grown older and managed to learn a bit more, developing my perspective on our heavenly Father, the relationship I have with Him is exactly how I remember it and always what I need.  There have been times in my life I’ve turned my back to Him, quite convinced that I didn’t need Him or even more so, that He wasn’t listening and wasn’t there for me.  But just like that park, and more importantly just like that old river, He’s still there for me, exactly how I remembered Him and just what I needed.

If you’ve not had a chat with God in a while, or been to visit Him, take a few moments today to spend a little time with Him.  I think you’ll find He’s there waiting and He’ll be just what you needed.

 Psalms 73: 23 But I was still always with you! You held my strong hand!