Rock the Path

Psalm 37:23-24
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.

So many rocks.

If you walk far enough on the hiking path at our park, you’ll find an uneven incline filled with rough rocks of all sizes. When we’re feeling energetic, Tim and I take Rosie to the top. Tim and Rosie amble up the rough, rocky terrain, but I have to stop and take a breath. Honestly, it’s not that steep, but for me, who generally walks on a flat surface, it’s a challenge. And it’s one I like to take occasionally.

With the help of my hiking stick (thank you, Zeke,) I pick through the rocks and take careful steps, because this old girl doesn’t want a broken hip.

I love the verses in Psalm 37 that remind me the Lord has me in his sights, and because I love God, He watches over me and helps me when I might stumble, whether over literal rocks or in everyday life.

With each step I took on the rocks, I measured the consequences if I’d fall. I considered how to move through the path without harm. Isn’t that how I should live my life? Instead of hurrying and fumbling, it’s important to check my steps, even as God holds my hand. It’s too easy to stumble along and possibly fall on the path and in life.

I need to take caution in the words I say, the actions I take, the attitude I carry, and how I treat others. Am I judging when I should be praying? Am I criticizing when I should be compassionate? Am I causing someone else to stumble when I should be helping them along the path?

As you walk the path God prepared for you, discover ways to move alongside other people and help them navigate life as God helps you.

A Wombat Tale

Psalm 62: 5-8

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Sometimes I want to curl up in a ball.

When I worked at the elementary school library, I enjoyed reading a book to the children about a cute little wombat. This little guy jumped in the mud, danced in a circle, and eventually curled up in a ball. The children giggled at his antics.

The book reminds me how I often go about working, playing, and living life, then something comes along that makes me want to curl into a ball. Exhaustion, excitement, exuberance, fibromyalgia, frustration, sadness—emotions  that even when they are positive may leave me weary.

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. Joy that our youngest daughter is getting married. Excitement for signing a contract for my debut novel. Empathy and sorrow for one of my best friends who lost her husband, who was also a dear friend. Sadness laces the edges of joy even as I rejoice for his homecoming to heaven. Plus, grabbing the last few days of summer before my grandkids go back to school. Granted the joy and happiness carry my heart, but I'm tired. Worn from the moments of life.

The good news is—I have a place to go when I need to refuel, sort through, rest, or just be for a little while.

When that little wombat wound himself into a ball he thought, because he was so small, he could hide in the flowers. But where can I go? Not in a bed of posies. Instead, I'll curl up and find rest in my Father's arms. God, my fortress, rock, salvation, and refuge, gives me joy and hope. He's the one who understands my emotions and physical struggles, and He offers strength and peace. I trust in Him to carry me through.

God is my Rock

Sandy Beach or Rocky Shore?

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine [Jesus] and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

In the course of a day we walked on a sandy beach and stood upon a rocky shore. In the afternoon as my foot touched the warm sand on one of Lake Erie's beaches, the tiny grains shifted beneath my feet. I had to make an effort to keep my balance. I scooped a handful of sand and let it sift through my fingers. Each bit sprinkled to the shore and was washed away by the tide. Beautiful but not a solid foundation.

Later in the evening, Tim and searched for the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. We found huge rocks along the shore of the lake. As we climbed out to secure a place, the boulder I stood on felt solid under my feet. Waves crashed against the rocks, but we stayed put, in place, safe from the stormy water. From our safe spot we viewed orange, pinks and blues as the sun dipped down.

As Jesus told the story of where to build a house— on sand or on rock, he wanted his listeners to understand they needed a solid foundation for their faith. He was asking, "Will your faith shift like sand and be pulled out from under you? Or will your faith have a well-built foundation, strong, durable in times of trouble, secure?" Jesus cares about our faith. His desire is that we have a faith as solid as a rock that can't be moved. He wants us to be certain that our faith will stand up against the difficulties of life and give us confidence to serve him. I'm thankful that when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, God instilled the Holy Spirit in me so I would have a solid foundation, a reminder of my faith, a guide in life. I've built my faith on the solid rock of Jesus. I love him and he loves me. Praise God for Jesus Christ!

The Rock

Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
 Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

As I got out of the car, I noticed the dark clouds looming. I'd heard on the radio that a thunderstorm was heading my way. Just after I ducked into a store to shop for bargains, the rain burst from the clouds while lightning and thunder ripped the sky. I was content to be in the shelter of the store as the downpour let loose.

As we live on this old earth, we face a lot of storms. Personal, spiritual, global. So many negative occurrences happen every day. Bad news, sad events, troubling times. Sometimes I want to crawl in bed and cover my head. But I can't. I have to live in the world. But, instead of hiding in my bed, I find shelter in my God. He's the true refuge, the secure harbor, the safe place to rest my heart. God is the safe haven in the midst of distress. Praise God for always being the rock in the storm.

He's my Rock