Beside Still Waters

Posted on by Paula
He Leads Me Beside Still Waters
Sitting at the End of the Dock and Watching the Sun Go Down

I had been looking forward to hiding away, resting and letting God unclutter my mind and untangle my heart. Every year, my family plans an escape where we can shut everything out for a week and enjoy each other’s company with no interruptions. We don’t make many plans other than enjoying the ocean, lounging in the pool or playing cards and board games. Although I spend a lot of time with my family, I also get the opportunity each day to spend time by myself. Sometimes I think and pray as I walk by myself along the beach. Other times I read, doodle or write as I sit alone in the sunshine. I always come home refreshed.

This year I was pretty worn down before we left home. I was so ready for a reset that I could hardly wait to reach our destination and sort things out with God. However, this year, rather than staying put at our rental house all week, we chose to venture out a few of those days for special activities. Don’t get me wrong, we saw and experienced some things that we had never seen before. We had a wonderful time together and made great memories. I just didn’t get enough time to rest.

I was thankful that there were a few evenings that I was able to sit alone at the end of the dock to watch the sun go down. I normally love to hear the ocean waves as they crash onto the shore, but there were no waves at our location this year. So, rather than listening to the roar of the ocean, I didn’t hear much more than the sound that occurred when a school of fish would suddenly shoot out of the water to escape a predator. The stillness of the water and absence of noise allowed me to experience a beautiful, yet unexpected, inner peace. These moments spent at the water’s edge reminded me of some words from the 23rd Psalm, “…He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…”

Still Waters
The Water Was so Still and Peaceful

Despite those stolen moments spent sitting at the dock, I didn’t get enough time to sort everything out while I was away. All too quickly, the time came for me to return home.

I’m thankful for the adventures my family had, but I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get as much time to rest and reflect as I had hoped for. I wasn’t coming home as refreshed as I normally do. I needed more time beside the still waters before returning to the busyness I had left behind, but it wasn’t a possibility.

At home, I am always doing something from the time I get up until the time I go to bed. Sure, I start my day reading His word and spending time in prayer, but then my day gets busy. If I do sit down, I find myself picking up my phone to text someone, to check my e-mail, to browse the internet or to scroll through social media. My mind is always occupied. I had to find a way to allow my mind more times of rest.

Since this revelation, I have been trying to find more opportunities throughout my day to simply sit still and observe God’s beautiful creation around me rather than finding something to do while I sit. I am listening for his voice while I sit in the quiet.

If I let myself get too busy, it’s easy to lose sight of the One who leads me. He knows where I need to go and when I need to stop along the way. If I lose sight of where He is taking me, I can miss those moments when He leads me beside still waters.

He is the Shepherd; I am his sheep. In Him I find everything I need. In Him I am content. He leads me beside still waters.

Off Track and Struggling With the Load

Posted on by Paula
Noah had simply gotten carried away pretending he was the little engine who had accidentally gotten off track.
My Little Man and His Trains

I loved watching my youngest son, Noah, play when he was little. One of his favorite things to do was to play with the train set. He spent hours carefully connecting the magnetic cars to the engines and pulling the long trains around the curves and over the hills of our wooden train set. He would often get so caught up in his imagination that he seemed to be in a different world.

I remember doing my housework one day and being frightened by shouts coming from the other end of the hallway. I immediately dropped what I was doing and ran to my toddler’s aid. When I reached Noah’s bedroom doorway, there was my little man reaching over the train table and holding onto Thomas the Tank Engine who was dangling off the top of the mountain. All of the box cars and their freight were in danger of being derailed along with the engine who frantically cried for help. I breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled to myself when I realized that my son was not in danger. He had simply gotten carried away pretending he was the little engine who had accidentally gotten off track.

Lately I’ve been feeling like that little engine. I have recently found myself off track in many different areas. Somehow, I have started pulling too many “boxcars” and I’m beginning to losing steam. I find myself struggling to keep on schedule with my load and feeling like my wheels are spinning as I try to haul too heavy of a load up the mountain.

Thankfully, I have a God who has been holding onto me through my struggling so that I haven’t completely fallen over the edge of the mountain yet. He’s been prompting me to shift my load and watching over me, ready to catch me if I start to derail.

As I seek God’s assistance, I have a feeling that there will be some “freight” that I need to drop off to lighten my load. There will probably be some “boxcars” that I’m going to have to disconnect from. My schedule will surely be changed, and there may be some stops that will no longer be assigned to me.

Whatever changes must be made in my future to help me get back on track, the One who can see the whole “railway system” will help me work things out. I need only keep my eyes on Him, listen for His plan and follow His direction. He knows the right track for me.

A Glimpse of Beauty Through the Darkness

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The small glimpse of the sunset that I viewed through the portal reminded me of our tiny glimpse of God and the home he is preparing for us in heaven.
A Glimpse of the Sunset Through the Dark Wall of Clouds that Surrounded It

I couldn’t wait to see what the magnificent Artist would paint. Even more than wanting to enjoy the sunset, I wanted to savor my time with the One who was painting it and to take in his splendor and majesty. I longed to see a glimpse of his beauty through the darkness.

It appeared to be mostly clear that Tuesday evening, but as the sun began to sink, I could see that the wall of clouds was going to block my view. This was the third night on vacation that I had paused to watch the sunset. Sunday turned out too cloudy. It was behind me as we drove back to the rental home on Monday. Now, I was disappointed again, but I remained seated in silence at the end of the dock. Rather than focus on the dark wall that fought to ruin my experience, I decided to watch for any beauty that might shine through. God can still put on a brilliant show when when the clouds hide part of his canvas, and Tuesday night was no exception.

The still water below reflected the light that bounced off of the highest clouds. I began thinking that the water was prettier than the sky until I noticed that there was a small opening through the clouds. Beyond the dark wall, I could see the bright and vivid colors of the setting sun. It looked like a warm and glowing little haven surrounded by darkness.

I was drawn into this window into the heavens and focused in to see what the Master Artist was creating. As I gazed at this tiny portion of the sky, I realized that somewhere on the other side of the wall of clouds blocking my view, someone could see the full view of God’s breathtaking creation.

The small glimpse of the sunset that I viewed through the portal reminded me of our tiny glimpse of God and the home he is preparing for us in heaven. Just as a wall of clouds can sometimes block our view of the sun and the beautiful show of color it adds to the sky as it shines on the clouds, life can sometimes block our view of the Son and his beautiful reflection visible through his creation and his family.

When we take the time to look, we can see our Creator’s brush strokes all around us. We can see his work in the stars, the moon, the sand, the grass, the mountains, the meadows, the rivers, the oceans, the flowers, the trees, the animals and all of his fascinating creations around us. We receive a sample of his goodness, mercy, kindness, love and grace as his Spirit works in and through his children.  We experience a taste of his presence and what life will be like with him in heaven as his Spirit provides for us comfort, peace and joy here on earth.

As long as we live here on earth, there will be trials and tribulations. When the darkness starts closing in, we must watch for the places where the Son is shining through the gloominess and obscurity.  We must look for the Master’s hand in his beautiful creation around us. We must seek his Spirit for joy, comfort and peace. We must wait for his touch that comes both through his Spirit in us and through his children around us. He is with us through the struggles; we only need to shift our focus to him to find a glimpse of beauty through the darkness.

In the Quiet

Posted on by Paula
I had intended to end my little break after viewing the sunset, but I lingered after dark watching the stars appear.
The Stars Appeared

I spent the day enjoying my family, but as the sun started to go down, I slipped away by myself. With many things on my heart, I began to pray, “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12) and “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 55:10). I tend to be a woman with way too many words, but in this moment, I simply prayed those two short Scriptures and sat in silence, watching the sun begin to set on the distant horizon.

The Sunset Lacked the Bright, Colorful Hues that One Would Expect
The Sunset

The sky was cloudy, and the sunset might have been considered disappointing since it lacked the bright, colorful hues one would expect. However, I still sat mesmerized as night began to fall around me. Everything was so quiet and still.

More Scripture began to pop into my mind. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). “Listen to this, O Job; stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14). “…only one thing is needed” (Luke 10:42). “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).

My mind and my body have been in overdrive lately. There has been work to be done, problems to be solved and people to care for. I was worn and knew something needed to change. My heart had been longing to hear from God, so I waited in his presence as he called me to be still.

I had intended to end my little break after viewing the sunset, but I lingered after dark watching the stars appear. My family would occasionally call out to me, but I couldn’t pull myself away.

In those few quiet hours, I was able to stop focusing on my current situation and simply focus on God. My mind turned from wondering what God wanted me to do, to remembering how wonderful God is. He is amazing. He is all-knowing. He is in control. He is Lord. He is everything I need.

Peace washed over me as I basked in God’s love. My soul was content as I sat at his feet. I went to bed thankful for my sweet experience with him in the quiet.

How Do You Respond to Fear?

Posted on by Paula
Mocha has trust issues.
My Sister’s Dog, Mocha

How do you respond to fear? My sister’s family was recently on vacation and left their pets and plants under my care. I have done this for several years, but their rescue dog, Mocha still has trust issues.

This year, she was doing really well. She didn’t bark at me when I pulled up. She would even approach me to lick my hand and sometimes allow me to pet her. However, three or four days into my sister’s vacation, something changed. I’m not sure if she was frightened by my husband who tagged along that evening or if it was the storm moving in, but something scared Mocha, and she broke through the underground fence system. She crossed the boundary lines that were set to protect her and ran away from the one who could help her. Either she didn’t see me past her fears to know that I, her caregiver, was there or if she just didn’t trust me enough to help her.

I called for her over and over and rattled her food bucket. Then I drove around and searched for her until dark, but she couldn’t be coaxed back. I’m not sure if she was too scared to come out of hiding, too far gone to hear my voice, or too afraid of being shocked by the fence or punished by her caregiver if she returned. I hoped she wouldn’t get hit by a car or that she wouldn’t wander so far away that she couldn’t find her way back. Yet, she wouldn’t respond to me; I finally left her to do as she pleased even though I knew it wasn’t what was best for her.

Mocha ran toward me, glad to see me.
Mocha Returns!

I came back to search for her the next day and was thankful to see her sitting on the front steps when I returned. When she saw me pull into the drive, she excitedly ran to greet me. She followed me everywhere and even ate out of my hand. Once again, I gave her food and water and assured her of my love. She was trusting me again, and I was glad.

Mocha trusted me enough to eat out of my hand.
Mocha Trusts

What happens to you when the storm is moving in or when something frightens you? God is there to take care of you through it all. Can you see him beyond your fears? Can you trust him?

When you’re tired of running and hiding, surrender to the One who knows best. If you’ve gone too far to hear His voice, turn around and listen. If you’re fearful that anger and discipline await you, remember the love the Father showed when the prodigal son returned to ask forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32).

When you find yourself in a scary situation, remember the words God spoke in Isaiah 43 to assure his people that he would walk through their trials with them. When the storm rages, and you fear you won’t make it through, remember how Jesus calmed the wind and sea (Mark 4:29-35). When life gets difficult, and things aren’t going your way, remember that God is in control that if you have committed your life to Christ, nothing can separate you from his love—not even death (Romans 8:31-39)!

If you are in Christ, trust that God will be with you no matter what life throws your way. Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Be confident that no matter what you must endure, Jesus will always be with you and will one day take you home to live with him forever in a place where there will be no more pain or tears (Revelation 21).

If you have never made the decision to trust Jesus with your life, I urge you to repent. God wants none to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and have eternal life with him. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. You can trust God, your creator, your caregiver, the one who is in control; but you must surrender to his will and follow his son. Stop running. Stop hiding. Turn from doing things your way and make the decision to follow him. He will always be there to guide you, and his boundaries will keep you safe.

Putting the Broken Pieces Together Again

Posted on by Paula
I found my gnome shattered into pieces.

My dad insisted on putting the broken pieces together again. The broken gnome was just a $1.00 flea market find; it wasn’t a big deal at all. Yet my dad insisted on taking it home to fix.

About a month ago, as company was leaving, I noticed that one of my gnomes was shattered and lying on my top step. The whole incident actually prompted my May 14th blog post titled, “He Knows Your Need Before You Ask.”

Honestly, I thought the broken gnome was beyond repair. So, I was genuinely surprised when my dad recently returned it to me in really great shape. It does have a few noticeable “scars” and it will never be quite the same. However, it is good enough to join my new gnome outside in my little flower bed.

My repaired gnome has “scars,” but it is good enough to stand guard with my new gnome outside in my little flower bed.

I still can’t believe that my dad was able to put the pieces together again. When I look at the repaired gnome, I picture my dad patiently and lovingly restoring the happy little garden statue and am reminded of the way my heavenly father patiently and lovingly restores my broken life.

Like the gnome, I too am a broken piece of work. I have fallen on multiple occasions, and there have been times when I felt like the broken pieces could never be repaired. But I have a Daddy in heaven who knows exactly how to put me back together again.

Sure, I too have noticeable scars, and due to certain experiences that I have been through, I will never be quite the same. However, when my Daddy works on me, he strengthens me where I am weak. He replaces the hurt with comfort and peace. He reminds me of who I am in Christ and that my purpose is in him.

God doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life. As long as we are in this world, we will face trials and temptation. There is a great spiritual battle around us, and our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), but greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world (1 John 4:4).

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, he leads us through our struggles and brings us through to victory. Yet when we lose our focus and fall, we need only look up to a God who is waiting to scoop us up into his hands and restore what is broken. Like my earthly dad who can fix my broken gnome so it can stand guard again in my flower bed, my heavenly Father patiently and lovingly restores me so that I can be used again for his glory.

As for the scars that remind me of my fall, they also remind me of God’s love, forgiveness, mercy, grace and restoration. They remind me of where I’ve been, and as I move forward, God gives me opportunities to share the meaning of those scars with my brothers and sisters who fall into Satan’s trap as well. Yes, I have an amazing daddy here on earth, and I have an even more amazing Daddy in heaven who is able to put my broken pieces back together again.

A Life That is Simple Yet Full

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We stopped at a flea market in a little town somewhere near the Ohio river several years ago, and I was pleased to find a familiar framed print of an elderly gentleman bowing his head over a tiny meal. The portrait wasn’t in great shape, but I had to bring it home.  The woman who was selling it excitedly called it “The Thinker” as she told me that her asking price was one dollar. I had loved this picture since I was a child and was shocked (and a bit sad) that the woman couldn’t see that the man in the painting was praying rather than thinking. Though she knew the painting was special, she didn’t quite appreciate it the same way I did.

When I was a little girl, the man in the painting reminded me of my great grandpa. Not only did Great Grandpa’s character seem to fit that of the man in the painting. He actually looked like him…from my memory anyhow. I was pretty small when I visited him, so I may not remember things exactly as they were. However, what I do recall is that great grandpa lived in a humble little farm house way out in the country. I remember a bible along with a magnifying glass for Great Grandpa’s old eyes, a tiny Christmas tree (which may have been out year-round), a kitchen sink with a handle to pump water and a table where he and his guests would play dominoes. Mostly I remember that Great Grandpa was kind, and his house felt full of love when family gathered to visit. From my observation, he was a man whose life was simple yet full.

This work of art is still special to me today, maybe even more special in that as I am growing older, I can now see my aging father as the man in the picture. As I stare into the face of the man in the painting, I see a godly man who is at peace. He is giving thanks to God and is content with what he has. He has surely known hard work, difficulties and struggles. Yet, he has lived a happy life, a life that is simple yet full.

After bringing my flea market treasure home, I later researched and found that “Grace” was originally a photograph taken by Eric Enstrom but later painted in oils by his daughter Rhoda Nyberg. “Back in the year of 1918, a bearded, saintly, old man, with foot-scrapers to sell, called on Eric Enstrom at his photography studio in the tiny mining town of Bovey, Minnesota,” explains the writer on gracebyenstrom.com. For the photograph, Enstrom arranged a table with bread, a knife, a bowl of gruel, spectacles, and a family book (which I believe to be a bible) and asked the peddler, Charles Wilden, to pose by bowing his head in prayer. Eric said, “I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful for.”

Enstrom’s photograph and his daughter’s oil paintings became so popular that by 1945 he sold the copyrights to Augsburg Publishing House because he couldn’t keep up with the demand. Prints can be ordered from the Grace by Enstrom website, but I like my old, weathered copy just fine.

I see past the faded colors, the warped canvas board and the scuffed-up frame and remember what is important. God has blessed me so richly. Yet sometimes I take those blessings for granted and complain about what is broken, worn out or lacking. When I begin to get self-centered, I am always convicted. I stop making my mental list of what I do not have and start counting my blessings, realizing that God has blessed me with so much more than I need or deserve.

Not only has God blessed me with plenty to eat, a house with hot and cold running water, a dependable vehicle, a loving family and way too many physical blessings here on earth to count, he has also sacrificed his only Son, Jesus, to take away my sin and give me eternal life in him. With God, we can be content to live a simple life and still live life to the full in Jesus. As long as I have Jesus, I need only food to sustain my body and his Word to sustain my soul. I can live a life that is simple yet full.

A Message From Grandma

Posted on by Paula

I was carrying a tub of sugar packets down the church hallway when my mind took me back fifteen years. As I walked toward the kitchen to refill the almost empty tub, I could hear my grandma’s voice, “I’ve got to go get the sugar.”

It was December of 2003, and I was Christmas caroling with my church. One of the places we visited was the Alzheimer’s wing of the nursing home where my grandma was.

While we were singing, I saw a nurse walking toward me with Grandma. The nurse didn’t know that I was a relative, and Grandma hadn’t recognized anyone for a very long time.

She told me she loved to hear me sing. Then she looked up, right into my eyes and said, “I want you to do what God tells you to do.”

“I will, Grandma,” I replied.

I can still see her face as she stared so intently into my eyes and spoke again, “I want you to do what he says.”

Again, I replied, “I will Grandma.”

Then she said, “You know I love you. Don’t you?”

“Yes, Grandma. I love you too,” I answered. I kissed her forehead.

Then she walked away saying, “Now I’ve got to go get the sugar.” And then she was gone.

This encounter with Grandma happened just after I had been invited to travel to Panama with Samaritan’s Purse to distribute shoe box gifts for Operation Christmas Child. I wasn’t sure at first if I would accept. It was a very tough decision, and I was scared about a lot of different things.

I was a stay at home mom of four children ranging from 3-12 years old. I wasn’t sure anyone would be able to transport the older kids to school or to babysit the younger ones while my husband worked. My mother-in-law was very sick. Furthermore, I was scared of flying and had said that I would not ever fly unless God asked me to (I just didn’t expect him to ask). I didn’t know how we’d come up with the money or how my husband would feel about it. I also had some health issues that sometimes made it difficult to travel…. Would God take care of me if I went on the trip? Would God take care of my family while I was away? Dare I even leave them?

I knew that this was a calling from God (another great story for another day). I had accepted this rare opportunity, but I was still anxious about all the details. This was a huge leap of faith at the time, and I had a lot of fears.

However, I had grown up admiring my grandma more than anyone. I had never heard her speak an unkind word, and she was probably the closest example of Jesus that I had ever known. So, for these words to come from her at an unexpected time when she didn’t even remember me… It was like God speaking to me through her. It was like God confirming to me that I needed to simply do what he asked and that he would take care of the rest, which in fact, he did (but again, that is another great story for another day).

Grandma went to be with Jesus just 2 months later, and I went on my trip before she died. I still find it incredible that even though my grandma’s mind had deteriorated to the point that she didn’t know her family, doing God’s will and encouraging others to do the same remained important to her.

For some reason, I always thought that when she walked away from me to “go get the sugar,” she was “taking care of the people” in the little country church she had attended years before. And here I was, doing the same at my church.

As I filled my tub with sugar packets, I remembered Grandma. I thought about how much she loved me, how much she loved everyone and how she loved Jesus even more. She served with love and was used by God until he called her home.

As I get older, my mind forgets so much, but I hope that as I continue to grow old, I will become more like Grandma. Lord, let me always love and serve those around me and most of all, let me always love and serve you. May I never forget your love for me. May I never forget you. May I always be your willing vessel and continue to love and to serve until the day you call me home. Mold me to be like Grandma. Mold me to be like Jesus.

The Cost of a Poppy and Freedom

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I noticed the elderly man holding his poppies as I exited the store. I remember my mom giving me money for poppies when I was a child, and so I always stop when I see someone standing with the bright red flowers. I asked the gentleman how much a poppy cost. “Whatever donation you would like to give,” he answered. I exchanged a couple of dollars for a poppy and rushed to my vehicle.

As I hurried away, I thought about how small my offering was in comparison to what the poppy symbolized. I wanted to go back not only to make a larger donation but also to ask the veteran to share his story. Sadly, I did not turn around because I had somewhere I needed to be. I figured I would make another contribution to the next veteran I saw and would ask for his story, but I never got another chance.

The poem “In Flanders Fields” was written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD during World War 1. He had seen too much suffering, and one of his close friends was killed in battle on May 2, 1915. McCrae performed his young friend’s funeral that same day and is said to have written the poem the next as he looked at all of the wild poppies growing in the ditches of the cemetery:

“In Flanders Fields” by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In 1920, the American Legion adopted the red poppy as their official flower in memory of those who fought and died in the war. In 1924, they began the poppy program to raise funds to help with medical and financial needs of both veterans and active duty military personnel and their families. Nearly 100 years later, we still see the poppies for sale, especially close to Memorial Day.

I wish I had given a bigger contribution that day. Though my donation was small, I still received a poppy to remind me of those who shed their blood. They sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others, many of whom they did not know, many of whom did not deserve it. Some of the recipients did not appreciate it, and some still take freedom for granted.

I regret that I didn’t go back to learn of the elderly man’s story and to thank him for his service. I was in too much of a hurry. I had other things I need to take care of. I will probably never see him again, but I will not forget our brief encounter and the convictions that it brought.

I am humbled as I remember not only those who died serving our country so that we can live in freedom today. I am also humbled as I remember Jesus who died in my place so that I can experience freedom from the penalty of sin and death forever. When we accept Jesus’ death as payment for our sin and in turn submit to him, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. As we surrender our will for his, we are filled with his power to overcome sin and death. We are free from Satan’s grasp and saved for eternity.

I owe Jesus so much. And though I offer him so little in comparison to what he has done for me, he still washes me with his blood and covers me with his grace. I often pray that I not take his sacrifice for granted but that I would truly lay down my life for him just as he did for me.

If Jesus has been reaching out to you, but you have never accepted his gift of salvation, do not delay. Don’t get so busy with other things that you don’t have time for him. The day will come when you will not get another chance.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jesus, John 15:13). Let us not forget those who laid down their lives for our freedom. Most of all, let us not forget the one who died in our place so that we could have freedom from sin and death and live eternally in heaven with him. Oh, how he loves us. There is no greater love.

Tired, Thirsty, Lost

Posted on by Paula

 

I decided to go for just a “30 minute” walk one morning while I was visiting my son and daughter-in-law in Florida. I was familiar with the path I started out on, but I chose to take a different way home. The trouble is, the roads in their neighborhood and the surrounding area don’t exactly run east to west or north to south. On top of that, rather than running for several blocks across town, many of the streets around their home are just one or two block loops. So, taking just one slight turn (And I mean slight!) off of the path I needed to be on totally separated me from finding my way back home.

By the time I realized my mistake, I had been gone about 45-50 minutes. I had pushed myself too hard trying to run a while, and I was tired. I had been enjoying the sunshine, but I was thirsty. Even worse, when I looked at my surroundings, I realized that I was lost. Tired, thirsty, lost…

I entered my son’s address into an app on my phone. The outline of the route didn’t make sense, but I had no other choice than to follow the directions. My app told me to turn several times where there was no road to turn on. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find my way back. Though I was tempted to cut through yards where the app told me to turn, I wasn’t sure if that would actually get me back to the house. Plus, I was afraid of encountering a snake or getting in trouble for trespassing.

Finally, I began to recognize the street names again and arrived back 30 minutes later than I had originally planned. My hands were swollen, my mouth was dry, and my clothes were soaked. I treated myself to a tall glass of water, a much-needed shower and a fresh change of clothes. All was well once again.

I later thought about the whole (rather embarrassing) incident and wondered how many other people out there might be tired, thirsty and lost. Taking care of ourselves physically is important but taking care of ourselves emotionally and spiritually is important as well. In fact, our spiritual well-being is our most important need, because when our physical body wears out and dies, our soul will continue on either to heaven or hell.

When we try to get through life in a way contrary to how God created us to operate, we become spiritually tired and worn. We might try to achieve inner peace by doing good deeds and striving to be recognized as a “good person,” but we can never find true rest unless we repent of our sin and surrender our lives to our Creator. Jesus beckons, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). Jesus invites us to be yoked to him, to learn from him and to find rest for our souls. When we repent and surrender our lives to Jesus, he sets things right with us and fills us with the Holy Spirit to help us live the way God intended.

We can also be spiritually thirsty and might not even realize it. God created a beautiful world for us, and this world does have a lot to offer. Yet, we must realize that there is really nothing on earth that will satisfy the deepest longing in our heart. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) says, that God “has planted eternity in the human heart.”  Until we quench the thirst of our soul, we will continue to long and to thirst for something more, something eternal. Again, Jesus invites us, as he did the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Lastly, we can be spiritually lost, which is the worst kind of lost there is. Maybe you are so lost that you feel like you could never be accepted by God. Dear friend, this is not true. In Luke 15, Jesus gives us hope as he shares parables about a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son.

Jesus talks about an owner of 100 sheep who leaves behind 99 to find the one who is lost. When the owner finds the lost sheep, he rejoices. Jesus says, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

Next Jesus tells about a woman with 10 coins who searches diligently when she loses one of them. She is so excited when she finds it. Again, Jesus comments, “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

And then, Jesus shares one of my favorite stories. He tells about a self-centered son who asks for his inheritance early, leaves his father and wastes all of his money on wild living. When the money is gone, he gets a job feeding pigs and is so hungry that he wants to eat the pods he is feeding them. He finally decides to return to his father, apologize and ask if his dad will hire him as one of his servants. And here my friend, is the BEAUTIFUL part of the story….

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” Yet the father welcomes him back and even throws him a big party. The father rejoices saying that his son, “was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

We are all on a journey. There will be good times and difficult times. There isn’t a single person who hasn’t wandered away from God. We’ve all taken a wrong turn (or two, or several). But 2 Peter 3:9 assures us that God wants no one to perish but for everyone to come to repentance.

So, if you are finding yourself, tired, thirsty and lost, read Luke 15. Listen for Jesus’ invitation, and know that God’s desire is that you repent and return to him. He will welcome you back into his arms where you belong.