Plowing Thru The Road Blocks

7/20/23

Hello Beautiful/Handsome (Inside and out) You ~

How has your week been going? 

Have you had a recent experience where you persevered and did something you didn’t have to, was a bit trepidatious about doing it, and in spite of your doubts and fears pushed forward and accomplished it anyway? Would be glad to read about your victory in the comment section below.

This week’s post is something that was just written for another writing assignment. It tells how breaking through a few road blocks of doubt, fear and confusion that were trying to deter me from taking part in a conference last week were actually stepping stones to a higher level of faith due of letting God (instead of several snit fits) prevail. Could really stand to do that more often! :).

“They who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

I virtually attended a three day Christian writers and speakers conference last week but initially kinda wished I’d have driven the 180 miles each way to go in person instead; it probably would’ve been easier! 

I had problems navigating the site so I was frequently late (shocking, I know! :)) to the classes. There are problems with the internet at the house and the phone’s hot spot wasn’t strong enough; the screen kept freezing and I couldn’t see the chat to participate in it. The libraries were closed for most of the event so I couldn’t use their internet. 

Was telling a friend about it during the second day and she offered to let me use her internet.

Kinda didn’t wanna because she lives a couple towns over, I don’t know her husband well, and for the first trip I’d be traveling during a severe thunderstorm.

So, to be honest, not sure why I said, “Ok”. 

That first day I was concerned for leaving my critters to survive a storm alone. Already had two and a half trees down in my yard from previous bad weather and the modem was still out due to a lightening strike a couple weeks ago. There was also a recent power outage, perhaps because the electricity got bored with too many days in a row without a good reason to shut down.

I fearfully persevered anyway, and so glad I did. 

My friend had another of her friend’s family over and it was so . . . eye opening to observe such a wholesome activity of their playing instruments while they all sang along to various tunes. Loved to witness that type of ‘family’ gathering where everyone from kids as young as 12, up to adults in their eighties, just loving each other openheartedly and doing something so fun, simple, and without guile. 

Then the whole seminar that I nearly gave up on was so worth the effort (and $$$$), even if I’d only learned this one fact:

Statistically speaking, people achieve more in their 60’s and 70’s and even 80’s!

(Hal-le-lujah! maybe I (we’re?) on the right track, after all! And dare I say – perhaps even on the early side!)

I’m so frequently obsessing about having missed out on so much good that God has for me, but maybe He’s just preparing me (you?) to be able to best receive and take advantage of all he has to give.

I’m sure no one has noticed (ahem) but I can be late sometimes. 

(Sometimes???) 

It seems no matter the determination to be on time, it just doesn’t happen. But I also recently realized that sometimes, because of being late, I’m somewhere at the right time to help another, even if it’s to make someone else in a congregation feel better about their late self because at least they were there before me. (Not to mention any names, Pat and MaryBeth.) (OOPS! – did that just ‘accidentally’ slip out of the typing???) 

What I’m trying to get at is, maybe our intended ways and timing aren’t always (usually) God’s. Don’t know if you’re like me, but I like to think (hallucinate more like) that I have some kind of control over life. But when I let go and let God (instead of just giving up, throwing a snit fit, or holding on to what I think ‘should’ be,) not only is there a (terrifying yet) liberating sense of freedom, but faith grows stronger in a God that really DOES know better than I (we?) do and wants to give us what HE knows is best; what we’ll most enjoy and make the most of.

Dear Most Holy and Loving Abba –

Thank You for doing for people what we would never do for ourselves, if left to our own devices.  Thank You for keeping an eye on the big, whole picture when we’re all atwitter because the little slice of it we think we know about doesn’t pan out to our specifications and we angry and snarly at You (and others). 

Thank You for loving us so incomprehensibly much, Abba. 

Asked a friend what song she liked about perseverance and she came up with “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra ~I love that – it’s different than what I expected. Thank you to the Frank Sinatra site for this song!

In Jesus Name, AMEN

Image at the top of the post is something Pearl created and embroidered a few years ago. The quote is from the old sitcom, “Mork and Mindy”. (Anyone remember that?) I miss Robin Williams; what an amazing talent and man he was.