“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4
I want to tell you a story..
In Capernaum after the healing of a leper, witnessing the faith of the centurion, and sharing some stories with the people, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go on over to the other side”. So they hopped in the boat and off they went. Jesus was sleeping when a raging storm came through that left the disciples scared for their life. They did not seem to understand how Jesus was asleep at a time like this (I would not either) and they say, “Wake up!! Are you going to let us die out here?! Save us, already!” And Jesus gets up and He says, “What is wrong with y’all? Where is your faith?!” And then He speaks to the winds and the waves, and everything was completely calm. The disciples were amazed at what they had just witnessed and they got out the words, “Who is this guy? Even the winds and the waves obey Him”.
This story is found in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25.
I shared this story with my friend yesterday, and then asked her if she could imagine the calm they must have felt. And that peace probably that stayed with them because they knew they were with the One who calms it all. Every storm. I walked with my friend this past week through something pretty scary, and as I was sending her scripture on fear I also was taking it in. I was afraid, too. Really, I am afraid of a lot of things. Fear sometimes takes over the moment I am in, and outstays its welcome. That really means instead of saying what I need to say I keep quiet, I stay home instead of going out with friends, and I obsess most of the time trying to figure out if certain people like me. I KNOW! It is ridiculous. It became even more ridiculous as I wrote it out, because well God is the only One who matters and He is already pleased with me because of Jesus! I also have some more news for you..
This past weekend, my friends and I made the long trip to nowhere Illinois to bring home a puppy. Yes. I have added to my family. Right now, he is asleep beside me after much biting everything in sight. I guess that would make any one worn out. I know it made me tired, and I was not even in on the activity. Anyway, I also did not just gain a puppy, but I also gained some knowledge while on this adventure as well.
- Kentucky is where Abraham Lincoln became president
- Illinois is where he grew up
- That would be why it (IL) is called the land of Lincoln
I am almost positive that I would have already known these things had I listened in history. I think really honestly most of the history upsets me. For example the trail of tears, or Hitler and his evilness. It is crazy though that I remember the bad times more than just Abe being president Which is important, I’d say. How do I get off on these things? While I bring myself back in to the topic of fear, I want to tell you another story. my pup is scared of everything. I, for one, find this funny. God would allow me to get the most precious, clumsy, little fella who is scared of his water bowl. Do you want to know why? Of course you do. During his playing he ran into it and out flew all the water as the bowl rolled across the floor. And off he went right under the bed. So, I refilled his bowl, cleaned up the water, and picked the cutie up and took him straight to the bowl. He’d inch closer and look back at me to make sure I was there to save him from the water monster. He did this several times with me encouraging him that it was OK we needed water to live until finally he made it to the bowl. Now he drinks water like a pro prancin over there like he owns all the land. There are many things we have had to face together like the hair dryer, the cats, himself in the mirror, more cats, and the door. You thought the water bowl was bad enough. No, we had to face the door as well. At some point in watching my pup take a step forward and then making sure I was still there just in case something crazy happened it hit me. This thought in a form of a question. Why do I not trust the Lord like that? Instead I just don’t even approach it. I stay on the shore. I hide under the bed. I write instead of speak. I avoid new people for the most part. I turn to other things to make me brave when really I only can get that from the One who IS brave. Why do I always run from the things that scare me instead of taking one step forward, even afraid, but knowing He’ll catch me if I fall. He promises it! Psalm 37:23-24 says this, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand“.
I’ll tell ya something! I sure do not know how the Lord does it.. that is how he speaks, shows me , teaches me in the most sometimes bazar ways, but all through it I am growing. It is hard sometimes to see the growth, but I figure if it was for me to see I’d see it. So, basically I came on here to tell you the sum of my last few days, and leave you with some advice. Here ya go. Always have plenty of gas when in Illinois, do not be afraid, and trust the One who calms all the storms! 🙂
One more thing…
Eventually, JD stopped looking behind him to make sure I was there. (Isn’t it cool when we know the same about the Lord?) He just trusted that I was. I know this, because this morning he took a leap off of the bed onto the pillow, and also took off runnin for a cat. Sooo.. I am adding to my sum – always put a leash on your puppy so you are not chasing him in your cow shorts FREEZING because all of a sudden it is such a degree outside that is uncalled for!! Still not bitter…just sharin life with you. Hey, how about we walk in confidence like JD does when walking to his water bowl knowing ain’t no water about to get us! Not one drop…
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 27:3
Grace upon Grace 
Good writing. Cute cute puppy!
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