Those of you who know me closely know that our family has
been going through some challenging circumstances for what seems like a very
long time. Many people who we know and love are walking through some pretty
tough times as well. But isn’t that the way with life? I read recently that
life is like a pair of railroad tracks, we move along these tracks of life
experiencing both joy and sorrow at the same time, much of the time. I find
this to be very true. In case you are interested, the book is called, Choose Joy, Because Happiness is Not Enough,
by Kay Warren. Two different friends recommended this book and I agree with
them, it’s a wonderful book. It’s interesting how God often leads me to read a
particular book for during a particular season. This one is spot on.
When I am not running someone to the doctor’s office (which I
seem to do a lot lately), I try to find time to do some reading, or studying,
but once in a while, I just want to vegetate on the couch and watch a useless talent
reality show. Today I was watching one of those kinds of shows and there was a
young mom on there who has a very rare disease that causes her to lose her hair
and to “feel very ugly and to want to hide from everyone”. She explained that
for years she hid and was so afraid of coming out in public, yet at some point
she became brave enough to break through her shame and fear, and to eventually
go on this TV show to audition. As I listened to her, I was amazed at how brave
she seemed. And, to top that off, her new found talent was spinning high in the
air on a long flowing piece of beautiful fabric, twirling and dancing in the
air in front of thousands of people! That is brave! It was a beautiful aerial
dance.
Watching this television show caused me to ask myself a
question that I have often asked myself. Whenever I watch people who for
whatever reason are able to overcome their fears and to chase their dreams, I wonder
what happened to me when God was handing out the courage badges. Why am I not
one of these brave and talented souls? Why can’t I be strong and courageous? As
I thought about this throughout the day, I really did not have an answer to my
question immediately and I will probably ask myself again, but it did cause me
to go to the Scriptures and that is always a good thing.
Just in my short search, I found an abundance of verses
encouraging believers to “be strong and courageous”, to “fear not”, to trust
God, to be peaceful, and to remember that we are never alone because He will “never
leave us or forsake us”. This is just a scattering of God’s wonderful words
that remind us that He is with us and that He goes before us, so we do not need
to fear what is coming around the bend of life’s railroad tracks. He’s already
there, ahead of us and He will keep us on track if we move along with Him, in
His way.
In this last year or so, God has been speaking to me over
and over about peace, about trust, about grace and recently, about joy. Joy in
all circumstances. Trust me, I don’t have a handle on all that He is trying to
teach me, but I do know that according to His Word, He wants me to be
courageous. He wants me to experience peace and He wants me to enjoy abundant
life and true joy. Not the kind of joy or peace that the world offers, but a peace
that endures into eternity, and courage that depends on God and His power, and
not on me.
I may never be the kind of girl that twirls high in the air
on a small piece of fabric in front of thousands of people on television, but I
did climb a very tall tree once. (Thanks to a very good friend and her strong
encouragement) And, I have stood on a stage in church and worshipped God,
singing a solo, when my knees were knocking so hard that I thought people could
hear them knocking across the street! By God’s grace, I have raised two sweet
sons and homeschooled them both all the way through high school. And, I have
watched my loved ones suffer and I have gone bravely before the throne of God
begging on their behalf for healing, comfort, hope, peace and salvation. I
guess that’s pretty brave! I thank God that He is teaching me about peace, courage,
trust and joy. Sometimes the lessons are not easy, because I’m a slow learner,
but He is so patient with me and so merciful towards me.
If you are struggling with fear of any kind today, check out
these beautiful stories about some folks who, with God’s help, overcame some
pretty challenging stuff. Pull out your Bible, dust it off and read the stories
of Joshua, Moses, Ruth, King David, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the bravest
story ever – the story of our Savior as He bravely hung on the Cross on our
behalf so that we could walk this earth knowing that He alone is our source of
courage. He alone will guide us along the railroad tracks of our life and He
will be waiting for us in our eternal home when it is time for us to pull into
eternity.
God bless you and thank you for reading!
