Fear Knots

Fear knots – we all get them –

  those uncomfortable knots in the pit of the stomach 

when we hear yet another story, 

see yet another newscast,

   or face yet another unwelcome report from the doctor.

Fears of what could happen, 

or what did happen,

political unrest,

economic uncertainty

and social disturbances 

all unite in an enormous effort to destroy our peace 

and render us ineffective in our parenting, our marriages and our witness.

            Joy and contentment are overshadowed by the reality of living in a troubled world.

The Bible has its own share of “Fear nots.”

Consider this verse:  “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

(Isaiah 41:10).  God’s “Fear not” is accompanied by the promise of His enabling presence.

Even when facing possible danger we can act with wisdom and appropriate caution 

without living in fear. 

When our minds meander down the path of “What if?” 

 we can grab one of God’s “Fear Nots” and hang on.

Oh, and when we are weak and tempted to let go - He'll hold onto us!

Holding on tight!

Ruth

Here are some more “Fear Nots”

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

Joshua 1:9

1 Samuel 41:13

Joel 2:21

Matthew 10:28-31

Luke 12:7

Hebrews 13:6

1 Peter 3:14

Ever Present

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

 if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

Many children and young people are starting school this month. For some it is an exciting time reuniting with friends and schoolmates. Others may feel apprehensive, especially if they are changing schools or if they are first-timers.

Adults face this time with mixed emotions as well. Teachers are setting up classrooms, organizing supplies, and preparing lesson plans while trying to catch just a few more minutes of an all too short summer break.  Some parents are glad to be getting back into the “normal” routine. Others (like my dear daughter-in-law) started grieving a week ago and are already counting the days to the next vacation. 

For some sending small children off for the first time is a sweet sorrow.  The children are growing up. That’s good, right?  You feel like maybe they won’t need you as much, like your role in their life is going to change. And maybe that makes you sad. You may even be fearful of leaving them in the care of someone else 5 days a week. And you are perhaps just realizing that your schedule is going to be set by someone else for at least the next 12 YEARS!

Some mothers watching their kids leave for college are gripped by the reality that their student will be coming home less often now. The fledglings are leaving the nest and it feels empty. Funny, isn’t it, how we try to teach our children independence but we feel sad when they learn it!

Recently I found a letter from me to my mother written when we lived in Africa. Two weeks after we took our 7^th grade son, Peter, to boarding school for the first time I wrote:

“Leaving a son in boarding school is not what it’s cracked up to be. I really wish we didn’t have to do it. I never thought I’d miss him so much." … (Then I told her how well he was doing before getting back to how I was doing.)  

"I was sick with the flu or malaria or something last week. One night when I had the most fever, I had a dream. I dreamt that we were all somewhere and had to take a train. We had to do something so we let Peter go ahead and get on the train with some other folks. The train left without us and even though we followed, trying to find him, we never could...

I woke up crying and remembered that he was at school and I was glad that I at least knew where he was. If nothing else, this experience has given me a lot of compassion for others who have to be separated from their children. It’s not an easy thing.”

Through many times of separation God taught me that even when I am not there HE is. Our God is Ever Present! He's with me... with my children...with you...and with your children!

It got easier over time. All three of our children thrived in their school. And when the time came for college and we were separated by an ocean, I had confidence in the unfailing love of our Ever Present God.

So, when sending your children off to school, although they won’t be building a temple as he was, feel free to borrow the words David spoke to his son,“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” 1 Chronicles 28:20

Worth the Wait

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:13-14

The past couple days were a waiting game. Five days past her due date our daughter was in labor in an Austrian hospital. She and I texted back and forth numerous times that evening and throughout the night. Sleep eluded me. I wanted to be awake to hear that next text notification. In my morning meeting the phone in my hand never vibrated with the news I was anticipating. Throughout the day I couldn't concentrate on much, except the fact that my baby was working so hard to bring her baby into the world. Hours of labor, difficulty with the epidural ... nothing came easy. I wanted to be there. Midafternoon I sent her this text, "She will be so worth it." Then for the next five looooong hours we heard nothing.

And then - "Like cold water to a weary soul" came "good news from a distant land." (Proverbs 25:25) We got a text from the proud father, accompanied by a photo and video clip of mama and baby. As mama snuggled her newborn daughter, her words were, "She is so beautiful."

Worth it? You bet.

I got to thinking. How many periods of waiting do we go through in our lifetime? In most cases I want to take a short-cut, to speed up the process, to reach the goal faster.  We read that "God's works are wonderful," and most often 'wonderful' takes time.

He makes everything beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

A Certain Coming

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,

 nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36

Today is due date +2 for our daughter who is eagerly waiting the birth of her 2^nd child 

(our 7^th grandchild). Arrival is imminent and certain! For these past months she has known arrival day will come. She has prepared for it, anticipated it, and longed for it while going about her normal activities of daily living. Some of those activities took on a greater sense of urgency as the time drew near. Now the wait seems to be getting long, but she has not given up hope.

I can’t help but think about another coming arrival.  Jesus said, “I will come again.”

(John 14:3). The angels proclaimed it (Acts 1:11). We are to be on the alert for it

(Matthew 24:42), be comforted by it (1Thessalonians 4:18) and prepare for it (1John 3:3).

No one knows exactly when He will come but we are to be ready (Matthew 24:44) even while going about our daily activities.

Our grandchild will arrive soon. All the signs are there. At the exact right moment, on a timetable already determined by The Creator, our daughter will be holding her precious baby in her arms and what a celebration there will be! It is a certainty.

The Lord’s return is certain. He said so!  The signs are there. The timing is up to God. I will not give up hope. Until He comes I will keep on going about the business of daily living, all the while “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)