Sometimes it takes getting away to help us think; contemplate. Where we are, what we want, what we may be missing, or what we are thankful for, and the memories we are making. But whatever is on our minds, we certainly can think better if you get in a place where the noise of the world is far from us.
This last weekend, I was in such a place…our Cabins on Big River. As my grandson was the fire attendant, he thought the embers were so low at one point that fire was out, so he spread the coals around a bit to allow it to go out. Since we wanted to continue to use the fire, I used the bellows and gave wind to the embers and watched as the coals became flames, and the flames became a bigger fire once again. He was quite surprised!
I thought it was a good example of our life, and so with a teachable moment, I told Ethan a story… “Life is kind of like that Ethan. It make look like there is no hope in sight. Nothing is going right, there is a lot of stress, sometimes hurt feelings in the process. We may have lost something important to us. It can feel just like this fire that you thought was going out. But when the bellows gave wind to the embers, they became coals of fire, and then became flames once again. In my case, it is God who gives wind to the embers. He helps me see the good. Encourages me to have faith. It may also be a friend who calls or texts at the right time to encourage me. Or, it can be someone who comes my way and for whatever reason, is led to help me. It is kind of like your dad’s car situation. God worked out something for you both that you weren’t expecting. That person gave wind to what seemed like a dead situation. So when things look grim, and you see no light at the end of the tunnel, let the winds around you give your heart a little firing up. Fan the flame of hope for something better to come along. God IS faithful to me, and He will be faithful to you. He wants us to trust Him completely.”
It is always such a joy to me when God gives such profound wisdom over the simplest of things…but then He always does. He WANTS us to understand. It IS simple. We just need to allow it to breathe life back into us. I think Ethan got the message too. At least that is my hope.
How about you? Where do you need God to breathe wind into your life to fan the flame of your heart? Ask Him. He wants to do that; just as He breathed life in the beginning, He wants to do that again in you. Will you let Him? Will you close off the world’s noise to get quiet and lean in to Him? Let that wash over you. Just like a fresh stream of water you can sit by, let the trickle and rolling of the water refresh your soul.
Until next time,
~JoAnn
We don’t usually ask for change, ever notice that? So, I would assume from that, change is not so welcome to most of us. We might think, what if we want change and it doesn’t come to us? What if it does? Ok. Let’s say it doesn’t seem to come for us. Are we willing then to do something else? Are we willing to stay where we are and ask God to change us so we can be more content where we are? The struggle is real! No matter how we define our life, it will require us to take some type of action. It can look like a big mountain before us, but God will make a way around or through. Nothing is too big for Him!
have more time for something you are called to do. I have found that because of so many changes, I have gotten better at it, and I am better at turning it over to God. I am feeling pretty good about it most of the time. THEN, comes a BIG change that hits me sideways, and I have to remind myself again of what I need to do. My head knows, but my heart? Not so much. However, the quicker I take it to God, the more clarity I have of His direction. I’m not letting my feelings get involved first, but God’s direction.
What changes may God be telling you to get ready for? What changes might you need to make within you so that you are content where you are right now? Are you living for what Jesus has for you to do? Or are you living out what YOU want to do in your life, as you convince yourself it is God’s calling? It’s easy to do. I have gotten stuck there a few times. Ask the hard questions and God will give you answers. But…be ready. Here comes the truth!
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