We were at the beach a few weeks ago. Two of our sons and our new daughter-in-law went parasailing. As I stood there watching, taking photos, God and I had a moment – a heads-leaning together, He understanding my humor when I said, “Parenting looks just like that, especially at the independence-with-training-wheels point and the full-blown independence point.”
Without faith, I couldn’t do it with an iota of grace. Without faith, I’d be scared, hollering at them to come back where it’s safe (like, really, where I am is safer at all?), crying, and asking everyone and their brother to help, to step in, to do something, to make. them. come. back.
I might be saying things like “They could break something. . . . something I cannot fix – you know – those unfixable things that once broken can’t be fixed. . . .They’re going to hell in a handbasket. . . . . Oh, my – they’ve really done it now!” You know – those out of control, only the-negative-outcome-wins kind of thoughts.
I might have even started out this parenting gig 29 years ago with a few moments like that – because I didn’t understand faith and hope – and tied together with God’s mighty, very interested, very hands-on, I-got-the-plan-and-understand-why-this-is-happening kind of love.
I sat there, camera in hand, watching these people I love soar – beyond my control – but under God’s.
How I can feel as a parent and how I can feel as a citizen of American right now have some commonalities. I can feel fear, disappointment, lack of control over a lot of decisions, both in the leadership of our country and on our streets. I can run around trying to fix everything, bemoan the state of everything, speak failure, downfall, going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket kind of faithless prophecy. I could do that. I hear it all the time, as if God isn’t big enough to save America. It would be so easy . . . . or I can do what I’ve done these last 29 years- ask God to handle the plan. . . . believe He is bigger than any challenge.
I can “Cry out”(ask God) like the angel instructed Zechariah – and “Cry out, again”(ask God, again), per the angel’s same instructions – so that God will intercede where man cannot (Zechariah 1:14, 17).
There are many who love our Lord. If the population in America is 318,881,992 (million) and the Christian population is 223,217,394.4 – and God was willing to save Sodom if 50 righteous men – I think we’ve got that, friends. I think out of 223,217, 394.4 Christians – there are many righteous children of God for whom He would save our country. There are many in our country who have not forgotten. We need to take our eyes off those who have no faith in Him, and place our eyes on Him. I believe he is bigger than those who do not believe Him or heed His ways.
He says, “he who touches you touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
Cry out, – and, then, after we’ve cried out, we need to take a deep breath and trust – and show that trust by praising God, loving on Him with our praises. There’s a lot in our country that needs intercessory prayer – but let’s start first by seeing God’s goodness around us, praising Him in the hard rain of a summer storm, worms from a mother bird whose baby fell out of the nest and scampered to safety, sweet peaches in cream on a summer Sunday morning, the grace in a sit long and talk much opportunity of a relationship restoration, the cool break in a summer hot, 4 stools filled with boys at the kitchen counter talking big and little thing and barbecue, faith that God is bigger than men chipping away at our country’s foundation, kitchen hugs that show love never fails, God’s faithfullness in the seed-time and harvest of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, dill, lavender – and rain trees, how the smell of home-grown Spanish onions never fails to make me close my eyes, inhale deeply and smile – every summer, and that over the course of our beach holiday, one son emerged a new creation, one learned the value of sun screen – and that a parasailing adventure read, to this mother’s heart, like Miracle/Mystery faith play – a God message of encouragement.
No battle has been lost, friends. The battle is God’s – and His victory is assured. Praise Him in faith for it!
I bless GOD every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe GOD;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.
4 GOD met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and GOD got me out of a tight spot.
7 GOD’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good GOD is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship GOD if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but GOD-seekers are full of God.
11 Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in GOD worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!
15 GOD keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 GOD won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? GOD is listening,
ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, GOD is there every time.
20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.
22 GOD pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.
Psalm 34: 1-22
Thank you for sharing the comfort of a heavenly picnic basket laid out upon the meadows of our Saviour’s love amidst the turmoil that threatens to have everyone hiding under the rocks, losing all joy of life.
There’s such beauty and hope in your comment! Yes, let’s keep our eyes on Him, living praise in the midst of these challenges!!! Living praise and choosing joy! Shalom, Liana!
🙂 Hugs and blessings.
Oh, dear friend! My heart has been so heavy! Thank you for speaking truth and encouragement here. We MUST pray as never before. The battle IS God’s, and He is expecting us to stand in the gap and be the intercessors our nation needs. Thank you for saying the battle is not lost….I appreciate your perspective. God bless you for sharing what He has laid upon your heart!
Thank you! I really needed this today!
Beautifully expressed. Needed words of encouragement. xoxo
You said so well, what I have been pondering. He is faithful. That is all. Amen and amen. It is enough.
We do live in a confusing and chaotic time, Maryleigh. I don’t want to be a voice of hate or anger, but rather balancing truth with love–a very hard tension to strike! Which means I’m keeping my mouth shut except to pray, pray, pray! Thanks for your beautiful thoughts and the metaphor you’ve used is one that is going to stick with me, for sure! God’s got this!
God has got us. I’m so thankful for that. Even when I forget it, he has me!
Thankful for these words of reason. Truly, no one’s doing any good by freaking out.
Very moving post! This line made me pause and read again and reflect on my own life as a Mom… “I sat there, camera in hand, watching these people I love soar – beyond my control – but under God’s.” God is good, and He is in control. Thanks for this! #RaRaLinkup
Oh, these are much-needed words, M. Thank you for reminding me to rest in him–in the troubles of the world and those at my front door. I love visiting you because your words always give me such peace. Much love to you.
crying out … and then trust.
repeat again.
repeatedly.
yes and amen, Maryleigh.
Amen! Despair is what the enemy wants. Let’s determine together to deny him! Your words are encouraging, uplifting and inspiring, Maryleigh!