I was nearly frozen in fear last Tuesday morning. No, my life was not threatened by some gun-wielding criminal or a violent hurricane. The threat was in my own mind, but it was no less frightening and for a few moments debilitating. I was gripped with the fear of what might have been, totally immobilized by "what ifs." My friend Evelyn Scott, in the nuggets of wisdom she shares daily, summed it up perfectly this morning:
"Fear is a dead end but faith always has a future. When we believe God there is nothing that is impossible for us because faith puts us on the road to success."
And so, "In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free."
(Psalm 118:5 NLT)
For a couple of months I had been planning and anticipating a vacation with family I hadn't seen in 5 years. I knew the trip would be challenging at best, but as the time came closer, and I felt worse than normal with some new challenges, I feared more and more being miserable for a week, and even worse making everyone else uncomfortable. BUT GOD! I cried out to Him to deliver me from the fear, and make me sure of His will in this situation, and just like Peter stepping out of the safety of the boat onto a stormy sea (Matthew 14:29), I got up out of the comfort of my chair and dressed for the trip!
And oh, how thankful I was from the very first moment that I did! If I had not gone, I would have missed:
-- the mind-calming tranquility of our beautiful condo, "Beach Therapy."
-- sleeping with the door open to the soothing song of the sea.
-- a rare sighting of migrating white pelicans drifting by on the turquoise waves.
-- making a blackberry cobbler with grandson Sam.
-- experiencing the generous, sweet attentiveness of son-in-law John to my every need, including buying wood to build a fire several nights in our fireplace and urging me to be brave and take the short walk to our condo's sundeck to watch a beautiful sunrise.
-- watching "daughter" Lisa manage feeding us, planning daily excursions, and caring for all of us.
-- seeing Bill relax and delight in experiencing the rich history of the Outer Banks with his daughter & family.
-- being able to sit at the table with the family long enough to play two rounds of UNO (and win one!).
-- watching dolphins play, pelicans dive, and surfers catch waves against the backdrop of the ever-changing yet forever breathtaking sky and sea.
My friend, don't let fear keep you from enjoying all the blessings God has waiting for you, both on this earth and in our heavenly home! Sadly, I almost did and would have regretted the loss.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be 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 NIV)
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30)
♱
