A calling to write what He leads, no matter how uncomfortable...
Because simple daily Christian living is never what we thought it would be
Ready, Set, I'll Race with You...
He has brought us to the park…a life of opportunities and obstacles. The intention is joy and renewal and relationship. And He stands watching. He sees those of us who know exactly what to do; those who have discovered their strengths and have mastered the equipment. He smiles remembering how long it took for the mastery to happen and rejoices in our success…and our comfort of the conquering. A laugh breaks through His magnificent lips as He hears us yell with confidence,”I’m king of this hill”. And He also sees the ones who are struggling; trying to make their way up the sides of the challenges that they have decided to take on. He was there when they made the choice, and there when the climb began. And somehow He is there for each child at the park for each pain wrenching and strength draining step of the next rung.
Ready, Set, I’ll Race With You…
With seven children being the main time consumption of my life, and some two hundred articles written, I am sure that I have mentioned how different children are. Even if you have no children in your home, I am quite certain that you have watched them play or seen their behavior while interacting at the shopping mall. I usually stand staring at the God created individuality of them all…wondering, how they can be so much the same and yet so very, very different. Even something as simple as a family trip to the park leads me to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their maturing personalities. Sometimes I have sat watching them…daydreaming of the ends of their lives. What will they answer the Lord when He asks them what they have done with the life that He gave them?
During one such day dream I was startled awake by the sound of my husband’s voice. He called the name of one of our children and suggested that he stop running around and start playing. The child returned a look to his father of both excitement and confusion. He could not decide on which bright and colorful toy to play. The small park was filled with several towering pieces of child-making-into-monkey equipment which called to them to come and enjoy. But there stood our son, mesmerized by all that was available to him, and unable to move.
When he did move, it was in a pattern of going nowhere. He ran to one piece and as he began to place his hand on the bar to climb, his sister called to him from the top of another. So, he quickly stopped what he was doing and headed in that direction. But before he could even arrive at his new destination, the loud laughter of the other boy’s voices grabbed his attention and drew him to where they were sliding and chasing and playing. On and on and on this went. Poor child, the choices were proving to be too much for him. His anxiety was mounting and he was becoming more and more frustrated.
I watched as my husband disappeared from my side and slid an arm around the boy. He knew that his warning of time being lost was not helping the boy make a better or quicker choice. Without warning, without explanation, he just walked to the boy and calmed him with his touch. The boy stood frightened and still at first, and then just melted into his arms. Sobbing and unable to make his frustration clear in the words he was trying to speak, he just melted. “I’m almost out of time”, I heard him whisper between the tears. “I’ll be the one to decide about the time”, my husband answered. “Now are you ready?” he said. And pointing, off they went…racing each other to the jungle gym.
Now, I know I find the heart of God in some of the most-strange experiences. And some of you will say that the messages of God are just not this simple. And I say to you…things are…what they are to me…and I believe He speaks to me in these ways because I am simple. He is willing to do for each of us whatever will reach us. Isn’t that the point of this message? We are all made in the image of God. We are created in the likeness of the Creator Himself. So, we are all similar. And yet, look how wonderfully unique each of us is. Even those who look the very same…are very different in personality. And God, our Father, knows each of us.
He has brought us to the park…a life of opportunities and obstacles. The intention is joy and renewal and relationship. And He stands watching. He sees those of us who know exactly what to do; those who have discovered their strengths and have mastered the equipment. He smiles remembering how long it took for the mastery to happen and rejoices in our success…and our comfort of the conquering. A laugh breaks through His magnificent lips as He hears us yell with confidence,”I’m king of this hill”. And He also sees the ones who are struggling; trying to make their way up the sides of the challenges that they have decided to take on. He was there when they made the choice, and there when the climb began. And somehow He is there for each child at the park for each pain wrenching and strength draining step of the next rung.
But this kind of stuff, I have always known. The Lord our God is with us as we press on and grow. I have never doubted that He is with me in times of trouble, or when pursuing a task that He has instructed me in. But the thing that has enlightened me today…whilst watching my son run here and there…wasting his precious play time and becoming overwhelmed with his options…is the truly amazing concern of the Father for His children…especially the ones that just don’t quite get it.
I am that child. From the times in school when everyone finished with tests and assignments before me, to the fact that I am creeping up in years and still am wondering what I will do when I grow up. I am certainly that child. Oh, the Father has warned me. He has reminded me of the time I am wasting, and has shown me all the wonderful possibilities. He has even sent messengers, and has Himself whispered in my ear. Yet, here I am…running here and there. Either so scared that I am missing out on something, or so afraid that I will not be able to accomplish the task set before me…that I re-decide…and move off in a different direction. And the worthlessness and pressure and frustration all keep growing. Until I stand frozen in my own…well…own-ness.
And He comes: no special request, no effort on my part. He comes just because I am His. He comes and slides an arm around me' and I melt. You, dear reader, have been there too. You know the amazing feelings of love and welcome and peace. You don’t have to be told what this feels like or how absolutely real it is. You know, and I know…and yet we somehow have a tendency to forget. We get all mixed up in ourselves and our opportunities and our responsibilities, and forget that He is right there. That we can do all things through His strength…and that even in our shortcomings He will work all things out for our good. When He says that my time is up, I want to be able to answer His question of what I did with the life He gave me. And, I want Him to be proud.
So today, I am going to quit running around and wasting time. I know that I am not like anyone else here on the playground, and I am learning to be okay with that. In fact, I also know that life is not a playground of any kind. And if it was, I honestly don’t ever see myself confidently “king of the hill”. But I do know His presence…I know He loves me…I know He is concerned with each step I take…and, I know He is here.
So, when life is confusing and I am frustrated, I am going to stop, take a deep breath and head straight for Him. Then I’ll melt into His mighty arms. And after I have stopped sobbing, He will help me refocus…then point out something wonderful to me. He will wink, and then grin…and then I will hear Him say, “Ready, Set, I’ll race with you…
In obedience
Rhonda D Loucks
What can you expect? Straight talk, laughable humor, real truth, simple living, and passionate yearning...
all regarding the God that still involves Himself in the details of the lives of His people