When you feel like you’re done

This was a post from a friend of mine that I thought so very eloquent, I asked if I could share it. I was going to add some of my thoughts, but she pretty much sums up certain times in my life when I’ve hit the wall. Thanks, Linda

I trust you Lord, I do. I know your plan is always the best, I know this. You have been faithful in every way to me . There are times however, when I want to throw a tantrum and say No, it’s not fair. Don’t ask this of me. Even though I know its nothing compared to the sacrifice you made for me. I know you will equip me and you will walk with me though fire even. I know this because you have done this for me many times. We have walked some difficult paths together. I know I will be stronger and I will be closer as a result. I do want that. But there are times that I don’t want to be Spiritually mature, I really really don’t. And even in such moments you are right there understanding and not condemning me. I want things my way, I want to shut my eyes and shake my head, stomp my feet and clench my fists. I want it my way, the easier way in my thinking. But in truth my way is never easy, especially if it’s outside of your will. The enemy whispers to me, “He gives you glimpses good things ahead, the desires of your heart even, then immediately snatches them away.” Yet I know that is not true. The enemy is a liar! You ARE a good good father. Your plans for me are good, to prosper me not to harm me to give me a hope and a future. So I will submit and follow your Son’s example and say, Not my will, by your will. That’s the Spiritually mature thing to do. Any thing else is idolatry and sin even, I know better than to push my agenda. It’s the next level, isn’t it? You’re calling me to go higher up and deeper in. I know it will be better, but I stand here thinking, wouldn’t it be easier to just stay here a while, I think I got this level down and can relax a bit. But that’s just another lie. I know you, and further more, I know I can trust you. So, I choose to take your hand as you lead me to step up to the next level. I am a little shaky Lord, so hold tight, I will try not to stumble and fall. My eyes are on you, my ears are open to hear and my heart is receptive to receive your next instructions. Don’t let go of my hand, I will need you close! But you already knew that, didn’t you and that’s part of it too. YAH, I see that. So, while we are at this, let’s stop by the enemy’s camp and stir things up a bit, ok?

Obedience – even when we cannot see the end

I heard this story a long time ago, and it is a very good reminder of a great many things. I could list them, but you’re smart – you can figure it out.

There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Messiah appeared to him.

The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown; his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture – placing thoughts in the man’s mind, such as “Why kill yourself over this?, you’re never going to move it!” or “Boy, you’ve been at it a long time and you haven’t even scratched the surface!” etc. giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn’t moving the massive stone.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. “Why kill myself?” he thought. “I’ll just put in my time putting forth just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough.” And this he did or at least planned on doing until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.

“Lord,” he said, “I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”


To this the Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength and that you have done. But never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. At least not by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed, ready to quit. But is this really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet still, you haven’t succeeded in moving the rock; and you come to Me now with a heavy heart and your strength spent. I, my friend will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom, and this you have done.”

We give up because we don’t see the results we’ve expected, or we finish our task and believe we’ve failed because our expectations were different the end results. Our focus has turned from what the task was to what the result of what we done was. A small, but very important difference.

Can we just continue to follow and/or do what the Lord has asked us to do, even in the midst of our confusion, disappointment, and even heartbreak?

River of Dreams

I was cleaning out my dad’s desk, and I found a tape (yeah, I know) I made when I was in high school of songs that I particularly liked. I popped it in when I was working out, and came upon “The River” by Garth Brooks. It really struck me mightily, so I wanted to share. Now I could go into explanations and interpretations, but I think if you read it, it will speak to you in its own way…

You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin’ as it flows
And a dreamer’s just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what’s behind you
And never knowing what’s in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores…and

I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I’ll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
‘Til what we put off ’til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don’t you sit upon the shoreline
And say you’re satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide…yes

I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I’ll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry

There’s bound to be rough waters
And I know I’ll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all…yes

I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I’ll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry

Yes, I will sail my vessel
‘Til the river runs dry
‘Til the river runs dry

Dreams of God – Pt. 2

So, I was watching my two-month-old niece sleep as I was holding her, and she started smiling, then giggling in her sleep. It was so cute, I wanted time to stand still for several moments. I began to wonder about the dreams that God puts in the minds and hearts of infants – dreams that make them laugh, dreams that startle them, dreams of Destiny. Then I seriously started praying. I prayed for an environment that would support those dreams, and that they wouldn’t be discouraged by the enemy, and derailed from those dreams that God put in their hearts. Praying that also gave me new hope and a new life; it’s never too late to pick up God given dreams, dust off the ashes and take off running. It has pulled strongly on my heart that those dreams are so powerful that satan is so scared of them, he will do anything in his power to way lay them before they come to fruition. It’s sad that we value dreams so little that many of us drop them after a little opposition or major obstacles jump in the way. I wonder what would have happened if Joseph gave up on his after he was thrown in prison unjustly… I want to follow my dreams, and take them where God has destined. Even more, I want to help others pick up abandoned dreams, fill them with hope, and have them go for it. After all, “The body of Christ needs the result of the dreams God has placed on your heart.”