Are You Thrilled?

Psalm 92: 1-4 (NLT)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

Father, I thank You today for_____________________________.


to sing praises to the Most High.

Here’s my song for You today: ___________________________________.


It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,

Whom shall I tell today about how You’ve loved me? __________________________.


your faithfulness in the evening,

I recall that time you were so faithful to me: _____________________________.


accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.

I don’t play the harp or the lyre, but I can use my _______________________ to honor You today.


You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!

What really overwhelms me about Your kindness is___________________________.


I sing for joy because of what you have done.

May the way I live be a life-song of joy to You today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Start a running list of that for which you’re thankful to our God. Consider adding to it daily!
2. How are you training gratitude in your home?

FOR FURTHER READING:
Psalm 100; Psalm 98:1-4

Remembering the Sacrifice

By Tracy Smith

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13 (NIV)

With my kids excited to celebrate an extra day off of school today, it occurred to me that we’ve lost the meaning of the Memorial Day holiday. We plan for the day off and all that we will do: have a picnic, sleep in, work in the yard or just nothing. Yet, the reason for the holiday gets lost in the shuffle and in the busy-ness of the day.

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those in our nation’s history who have sacrificed their very lives to keep us free. However, we get so preoccupied with utilizing our extra day of “freedom” from our normal, daily responsibilities, that we forget the purpose for the holiday: to remember and thank those that have sacrificed everything to keep us free.

Aren’t we like that with our Lord, too? We get so caught up serving Him in our church, in our homes and in our community that we forget to stop and actually thank God for all He has done for us. We forget to thank Him for the sacrifice He made on our behalf.

Today, let’s remember to just stop, be still and be thankful for the sacrifice that so many American soldiers have made for our physical freedom…and the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross to keep us free for eternity.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What will you do today to thank veterans for the physical freedoms you enjoy?
2. What will you do today to thank Jesus for the freedom you enjoy both now and for eternity?

FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; Galatians 5:1; John 8:36; Ephesians 5:20

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

Faith of a Child
By Jeannine Sawall

“But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'”

Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

My husband and I are one of those couples where having a baby didn’t come easily. We lost three babies to miscarriage before the birth of our oldest son. The doctors thought they had “fixed” the issue and we went on to have our second son without problems. When we decided it was time for another, we once again experienced the heartache of miscarriage. This time the doctors suggested it was the one in four “fluke.” Unfortunately, that was not the case and I went on to miscarry five times over the next 26 months. I was devastated and heartbroken.

During this season, we were teaching our young sons the power of prayer. They had received a children’s prayer journal and each night we would write down a prayer request, an answer to prayer or something they were thankful for. My oldest son asked for a new baby each night. This went on for months. After our fifth loss, it became too painful for me to write it, let alone pray it with him; to me, it seemed the heavens had turned to brass. With tears ready to fall, I told him we could stop asking because it didn’t appear we would add another baby to our family; that sometimes God’s answer is “no.” He looked at me, his innocent face full of concern, and said, “That’s okay, Mom. God didn’t tell me ‘no.’ I’ll still pray for a new baby, even if you can’t anymore.” And he did…faithfully.

A few months later, I was pregnant again. I had no joy, thinking I was on my way to another miscarriage. However, that was not the case. Eight and a half months later, we were elated with the healthy arrival of our third son. I was blessed not only by my son’s faith, but also by his smile, as he wrote Matthew’s name in his journal as God’s answer to his prayer!

The path God calls us to is not always easy or quick. Sometimes we are left in a hard place for longer than we like and we must really dig in and hang onto God. The Lord used my six-year-old son and his tireless faith to show me that. Of course, there are absolutely times when God’s answer is “no”; however, until His answer becomes clear, we are called to press on, press in and to have unwavering faith…like that of a child.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What area in your life is God calling you to press on and have faith like a child? He is faithful to see you through whatever circumstance is causing you to doubt.
2. Is there someone or something in your life you have been praying for and have not gotten an answer for? Continue to call out to God, He promises to answer you.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 11:6; Luke 18:17; Psalm 71:5-6

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

We Don’t Have To Have All the Answers

By Susan Klein

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Usually when I need an example of perseverance through trial, I go to the book of Job. Here was a blameless and upright man who suffered extreme personal loss, while also enduring ridicule and shame by those who supposedly loved him the most. Yet, while he is the model of perseverance, I’ve come to learn another lesson from Job that I want to emulate: “I don’t need to have all the answers.”

After his period of grieving, Job’s friends started to pummel him with questions as to why God would allow such a travesty to occur to such a godly man. For awhile, Job accepts his lot, defending his Creator to those who are making accusations. But, eventually his despair gets the better of him and Job starts to question God as well. “What did I do to deserve this? Why have you made me your target?” (paraphrased from chapter 7)

Eventually, we read that God speaks. He’s heard enough of accusations and questioning from Job and his friends. Beginning in chapter 38, He reminds Job that He alone is God, Creator of all, and He decides what will happen to whom. Job does not know the things that God knows and has no business questioning His ways. After being rebuked, Job replies, “I am unworthy - - how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer - - twice, but I will say no more” (Job 40:4-5, NIV). Job got the message.

Similarly, who am I to question what God is doing in my life or in the life of someone else? Why do we always feel the need to have answers or know the reason for our plight? Is that walking by faith or by sight? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:45 that God causes His sun to rise on the good and the evil, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. No one is exempt from trials, and no one has the answers to all of life’s questions. No one, except God.

Like Job’s friends, when others begin to question God, we should not join in on the questioning nor should we always strive to have an answer for them, other than: “Our God is in Heaven; He does whatever pleases Him” (Psalm 115:3, NIV). We don’t need to know, we just need to trust!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What questions might you have that seem to be going unanswered? Are you willing to let them go, and “just trust”?

2.  Spend some time with the Creator and marvel at His sovereignty.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 135:5-6;Acts 17:24-26 ; Romans 9:14-18

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads an on-site small group.

Mountain Moving

By Elin Henderson

“So Jesus answered…them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done.’”

 Matthew 21:21 (NKJV, emphasis added)

           

After living on the flat coast of Africa and then in Florida, I am always overwhelmed and amazed to travel into “mountain” country. Whether it’s the Drakensburg Mountains of South Africa or the Rocky Mountains here in the US, I am awed by the size and magnitude of these seemingly immovable landmarks.

             

So, when Jesus says to the disciples, “If you have faith, you can tell that mountain to be removed and cast into the sea, and you know, it will happen,” the impossibility of the task from a human perspective isn’t hard to imagine. Granted, most of us aren’t needing actual mountains moved, but let’s face it, we all have some pretty BIG mountains in our lives. Mt. Fear, Mt. Insecurity, Mt. Hurt, Mt. Unforgiveness, to name a few. The size and magnitude of these monsters in our lives can be overwhelming and lead us to despair or despondency.

Jesus is calling us like He did His disciples - - to face our mountains with faith and not doubt, not because we  can move that mountain, but because HE CAN !  Is He bigger than our mountains? Is He stronger? Is He able? The answer is always YES! When we believe that He is able and have faith in His ability, then the ground starts to rumble and the mountain begins to move. 

Look again at this verse. It isn’t just removing the mountain. It is casting it into the sea. There is closure when something sinks beneath the waters. Then, when we recall the mountains, all we’ll see is a sign floating from God reading, “No swimming and absolutely no SCUBA diving permitted.” So, let’s start moving some mountains, and when the sea swallows them up, let’s obey the signs and stay out of the water!

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. Are there any mountains you can “name” in your life today?

2. How does seeing that “no swimming” sign in the waters help us have victory?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 17:20 (same concept, different illustration); Luke 3:5

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Change the Storyline

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt,

whose lives are lived in complete honesty!”

Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)

I have a Confession to make.

Do I have your attention? As any writer of crime shows or soap operas knows, the Confession is powerful. The storyline changes once the Confession happens. 

Jesus knows it, too. During the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus instructs His followers how to pray. Very specifically, His example of speaking to God includes a request for forgiveness of our debts/sins. 

This is a part of prayer that can be hard. I don’t like to discuss my daily (hourly!) shortcomings. In prayer, so often I want to accentuate the positive and ask for my requests.  Here’s the problem…

When I neglect to confess my sin, I diminish the power of God’s grace in my life. 

Without seeing my sin and the darkness of my human condition, I ignore the beauty that is the relationship with my Savior. Without professing my issues to the God who adores me, I gloss over the call to turn to Him in dependency and need. Without the daily realization that I am a ragamuffin human completely undeserving of the love and attention of the God of the universe, I begin to believe that I can do this Christian life on my own.

A paraphrase of 1 John 1:8-9 puts it this way:  “If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins - - make a clean breast of them - - he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.” (The Message)

Confession is pivotal. With Confession, God is able to clean out the wounds we have from our own sins, and those others created. When we confess our fears and failures and shortcomings, we become vulnerable and teachable. When that happens, God can change our storyline.

Do you have a Confession to make?

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Spend time in thoughtful confession with God today.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 32:5; 2 Chronicles 7:14

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.

The Highest Form of Flattery

By Stephanie LaCasse

 

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk 

in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a 

fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

 

“DJ, what are you doing?” I asked my seven-year-old. He was walking directly behind me as I scurried around one morning, even reaching his hand up, mimicking motions of buttering a waffle. “I'm learning how to be a parent like you!” he exclaimed. “And I’m doing everything that you do, Mom.” This interaction stayed with me all day. He was doing what I was doing, following my steps.

 

When I was little, I used to watch my mom while she baked. Toward the end, she would scrape the spatula over the running mixer beaters to clean them off, saying, “Don't do this. The spatula could get stuck in the beaters.” Want to take a guess how I clean off my spatula now that I'm a grown-up with kids of my own? I use this example not to criticize my mother, but to emphasize that as children, we watched our parents in order to know how to act, along with how and what to say.

 

In the verse above, Paul is reminding the church in Ephesus to follow Christ's example of sacrifice. We are to give up ourselves for Him just as Christ gave Himself up out of love for us. If we want to go through Jesus' motions and do everything that He did, what does that look like when His life took Him to the cross?

 

Here’s the kind of "walk in the way of love" that Paul was speaking of: a sacrificial way of living and loving. Jesus told his disciples, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." In the very next verse He said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:12-13).

 

I long to be a Christ-like example for my children, and I am thankful that I can look to Christ as to how I need to live. Yes, Christ is perfect and I am not, but we are to strive for holiness. Scripture says, “...be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

 

So how do we follow Christ's example? When we spend time with others, we naturally become like them. Spending time in God's Word allows us the opportunity to become more like Him. We were, after all, made in His image...made to follow in His steps.

 

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Who or what are you looking to for guidance?

2.    Who is watching you? What lessons are you teaching?

 

FURTHER READING:

John 10:14-16

 

Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is recently graduated from seminary and is preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm.

Pondering

By Peggy Kleckner

 

“....and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Luke 2:18-20 (NIV, emphasis added)

 

Motherhood...what a job! It brings to mind babies, cooking, dishes, carpooling, homework wars, constant motion and little rest. But here at the beginning of Mary’s motherhood role, we find her treasuring and pondering. Not just that, but she was doing it “in her heart,” that deep-seated place of our true self.

 

I love the two concepts God chose here: “treasured” and “pondered.” Just sit with those words for a moment.  What happens when we “treasure” something? What happens when we “ponder” something? I may see my child every day, but if I stop to “treasure” him, what changes? What happens when I linger to “ponder” on his growth and change, or my own?

 

Concerning each of her children, how much time do you think your own mother spent in doing these two things, treasuring and pondering their life-circumstances from the time of conception to the present?  If you are a mom, how often have you found yourself treasuring or pondering specific moments and happenings?

 

Life seems fast-paced, hectic, ongoing. We rush. We fuss. We do. How much do we “treasure” and “ponder”?  How much time do we spend in the secret recesses of our hearts? What moments, what “things,” do we take there to ponder on?

 

Since God chose to mention this in Scripture, might He be confirming this practice? Shouldn’t there be time set aside in the rush to step aside in wonder at life? Shouldn’t we ponder the workings of His mighty hand in our lives, and in the lives of our children?

 

Stop the motion today, if only for a moment, to practice the art of treasuring and pondering...

 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Consider where in your week you might make the time to “stop” and engage in some treasuring and pondering of your own.

2.  If you’re able, how about asking your own mom what she has treasured and pondered about your life, as well as her own?

 

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 64:9; Psalm 111:2; Proverbs 2:1-5; Luke 2:51

 

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

Déjà vu
By Karen D’Amore

“For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.”
Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

The experience of déjà vu is accompanied by a compelling sense of familiarity in a present situation. In the movie Groundhog Day we see the essence of déjà vu personified. Cynical, self-centered TV meteorologist Phil Connors has been sent to Punxsutawney, PA to broadcast the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After grudgingly covering the event, he awakens the next day to find himself trapped in an endless cycle of Groundhog Days. When his self-indulgent behavior fails to change, events repeat themselves in the same way they occurred the original day. Given opportunities to learn from the previous day’s failures and to respond to others differently, Phil continues to fulfill his own self-seeking pleasures, at the expense of others. As desperate attempts to change the events or escape the cycle of the time loop prove futile, Phil grows increasingly despondent. Eventually, he comes to the realization that he is powerless to change his circumstances…the only thing he can change is himself. When a transformed Phil emerges as a thoughtful, caring, selfless new man, the time loop is broken and he is set free from Groundhog Day.

This fitting cinematic compression likens itself to the refining process of a believer. As Christ-followers, every detail of our lives falls under God’s scrutiny, as He purges out remnants of our carnal life. Oftentimes, He will bring us back to the same point over and over again; leaving us in that place until the desired lessons are learned and His finished product has been produced. Whether it be lessons in forgiveness, loving the unlovable, selfishness, pride, or lack of trust…the refining process continues as impurities are eradicated from our character.

Just as silver is refined by being held in the middle of the fire, where the hottest flames burn away the impurities, the Lord will hold us in that “hot spot” until the desired transformation takes place. And while the silversmith knows the silver is completely refined when he can see his image reflecting in the metal, the Lord will rejoice in His completed work when He sees His reflection in our lives.

Do you find yourself stuck in a place of Déjà vu, wrestling over and over with the same familiar lessons? Lend yourself to God’s refining moments…He may not move you forward until you do!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a stronghold in your life in which God is continually re-testing you? Surrender to His character refinement today.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 10:22-23; Jeremiah 9:7

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.  She also serves on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events team.

{Not} Responsible

By Lexi Cole Ellis

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm 

your calling and election.”

 2 Peter 1:10a (NIV)

I was stuck…driving on a one-lane road behind a huge commercial truck filled to the brim with small rocks. I slowed down to what felt like a crawl.  In an attempt to avoid the occasional spray of rocks flying out, I left a significant amount of space between the truck and myself. Even with the distance, I listened to the tink of small pebbles hitting my windshield. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony that stared me right in the face.  On the back of the truck, it read… 

Later that week, I saw a similar sign as I entered the car wash.  If their machinery happens to malfunction, they’re not responsible for any damage that’s caused to your car either.

I wish I could walk around with a “not responsible” sign for life. Warning! Not responsible for that “less-than-ideal” tone of voice or attitude that was unnecessarily harsh with my kids. Sorry! Not responsible for the hurt feelings that are a result of my selfishness with my husband. Stay back! Not responsible for the broken hearts or wounded spirits because of my actions with my friend.

But the truth remains, we are  responsible for our actions. We are accountable to the areas or spheres where we’ve been called into leadership. I am  responsible for how I treat others because, as a Believer, I am called to let my life be a light. Scripture is pretty clear that it’s not just our words that matter…God also sees the condition of our heart; our attitude matters.

Believers don’t get a “not responsible” sign that allows us to flee from responsibility. We are called to not only invest in relationships - - but to also monitor and own up when we mess up. Life is complicated and not without conflict. But rather than claim it’s not our fault and leave, we are called to enter into the mess.

Thankfully, none of the pebbles actually cracked my windshield that day. But I am also thankful for the reminder that real life - - a life that pursues holiness and community - - is one that rejects the easier idea of putting up a “not responsible” sign.

GOING DEEPER:

1.      Take some time to examine the different areas of your life. Are there relationships or situations where you’re attempting to post the “not responsible” sign? What needs to change?

FURTHER READING:

Colossians 3:23-24; Romans 14:10-12

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade, serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator. 

The God Who Sees
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…You are the God who sees me…”
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

Imagine a young, unmarried, pregnant woman with no home, no family, and no future. She has no education, no means of providing for the child she carries. She has been used and abandoned emotionally by the child’s father, treated harshly by his family. Seeing no other options, she runs away. The future is bleak…there is no one to help…what will become of her?

When all appears hopeless, an angel of the LORD comes to her. He speaks to her…the unwed mother…the homeless wanderer. He has specific instructions from God himself. She is to name her son “God hears.” God will make her descendants too numerous to count. He has a plan for HER! Her response, in what I imagine to be an astonished whisper, is, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” She has not been abandoned….she has been seen by a God who cares deeply about her and her unborn child. And while the angel instructs her to return to her child’s father, she is no longer alone.

This is no “Movie of the Week.” It is the story of Hagar, an Egyptian slave and the mother of Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. The culture of the Old Testament book of Genesis allowed masters to keep slaves, to treat the slaves as they wished, and for female slaves to bear children in place of their master’s wives. On the ladder of society, these female slaves were the bottom rung. They were given no rights, no freedoms, no opinions. Surely God would not take notice of one such as this.

Have you ever felt like God doesn’t notice what’s going on in your life? That you couldn’t be important to Him? “Hagar’s God is the One who numbers the hairs on our heads and who knows our circumstances, past, present, and future.” (1) In our places of desolation, God is intimately aware of our hurts, our troubles, our sorrows. His care for us is personal, intimate and individual. The psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills…where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth…The LORD will keep you from all harm…he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121: 1-2, 7-8, NIV)

Know today that God sees you, He cares about you, and you are never alone.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you feeling weak in the face of today’s challenges? Pray for strength to keep your eyes fixed on the One who sees you.
2. How have you experienced God’s watchful care?

FURTHER READING:
2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.

(1) © 2004. Praying the Names of God, Ann Spangler, page 27.

Forgetfulness

By Susan Klein

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

James 1:22 (NIV)

When reaching middle age, forgetfulness can become quite the companion. While everyone experiences mild episodes, prolonged forgetfulness can lead one to thoughts of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Though in most cases, the more likely culprits are lack of sleep, stress or illness.

Forgetting where your keys are or why you walked into a room is not as alarming as possibly forgetting who you are or what you look like. I read a recent news article about a mother of eleven children who was involved in a tragic car accident. The memories of her most recent two years, which included having a baby, were lost. Looking at her infant, she did not recognize her face. Her husband had to show the woman multiple photos of her holding the baby to prove that she was indeed her daughter. How devastating to not remember your own child’s face! (1)

Such is the thought captured in in the book of James. He is writing to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Under apparent persecution, they’ve forgotten some very important things they’ve learned. He exhorts, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24).

To paraphrase, “God has entrusted you with His very important truths. He has equipped you with His Holy Spirit to make these truths come alive so that they might always live within you and be a part of you. But you have chosen to walk as though you don’t remember them, thus as if not remembering what you look like (in Christ).”

How often do we forget what we look like? Might we be forgetting that we are holy and set apart for God’s great purpose; that we are washed clean and white as snow in His eyes? Do we remember that we are clothed with Christ, or adorned in garments of salvation and arrayed in robes of righteousness? How often do the tragedies and trials of life inflict us with an acute memory loss, not only of what we look like but of how we are to be living? (Galatians 3:27; Isaiah 61:10)

Let us never (tragically) forget in whose image we are created, or what we really look like.

GOING DEEPER:

1. When you look in the mirror, what (or whose) reflection do you see?

2. Take some time to remember, to celebrate, and give thanks for what you look like and who you are.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 103:2-4; Deuteronomy 4:9; Hebrews 13:16

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also periodically co-leads a Wednesday Night Community small group.

(1)     http://www.people.com/article/mom-loses-memory-child-after-truck-crash

Shelter from the Storm

By Jen Wollner

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

When my son, Clayton, was young, he was extremely afraid of storms. Flashing lightning, crashing thunder and pounding rain literally made him tremble and weep. A couple of years ago, we had several days of thunderstorms in a row. We were all on edge and my husband and I were getting used to one kid or another running to us or crying during the night as the various sounds echoed around our home. One morning, when it was already light out, the rain woke me up and soon thereafter I saw a huge flash of lightning. The thunder followed immediately behind it and shook the whole house. I cringed and braced myself for what I knew I’d hear next…frantic feet running down the hall to my room! I waited…and waited…but no one came. No feet. No crying. No panicked calls for Mommy and Daddy.

Hmmm…that’s strange, I thought. There’s no way none of them heard that, especially Clayton. Is it possible that he slept through it?!

As I lay in bed, my mind turned to other things and soon I drifted back to sleep. Not too long later, Clayton came into our room and jumped in bed with us, just as he did most mornings. He seemed particularly excited and pleased with himself, though, and the first thing out of his mouth was, “Mom, did you hear that loud thunder?” “Yeah, did you hear it, too?” I asked him with much shock. “Yep!” he said. “And I was really scared at first, but then I remembered that God was with me and I wasn’t scared anymore!” Well, there’s nothing that gives me more joy then when my children trust in the Lord and look to Him to fill their needs. And, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God would so quickly and supernaturally meet that need. What a promise-keeping God!

We all struggle with fears and worries, don’t we? Maybe it’s a health issue. Maybe it’s a financial dilemma. Maybe it’s a difficult relationship. Or, maybe it’s something more tangible like spiders, heights or, like my son, severe weather. Whatever it is, it fills us with panic and all we can think about is getting away…being rescued…finding shelter.

The Lord is that place. He’s the place of security when the storms of life crash down on us. He’s a strong tower when everything is falling apart around us. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer.

Run to Him…

GOING DEEPER:
1. What causes you to tremble? From what do you need protection? Seek the Lord and expect Him save you and fill you with courage!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91; Isaiah 41:10-14

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.