Learning from Simple Things

Its been awhile. Lots happening. All good, but busy. I was out walking the other day early in the morning, asking the Lord to teach me something...just anything that he'd like to, from his Creation. Living in northern Wisconsin, with eagles flying, otters cavorting, and surrounded by lakes, there is so much to see and learn from. The forests here are lush and beautiful this time of year...they are also ubiquitious (meaning everywhere). After I asked the Lord to teach me something that morning, I noticed the "V-shaped" piece of sky above me. If you have ever walked down a forested road, you know what I mean. On either side of the roads here in the Northwoods, there is nothing but trees, the view of which is only broken by a v-shaped band of sky above the road, as it narrows from being wide right over one's head, to being a small sliver of light off down the road where perspective brings the trees together in a point. It dawned on me that so often in life we worry about that point out in the future where we can no longer see with clarity either the sky above or the road below. Above us and nearby is this wider band of sky that we can see clearly. That wider band of sky is much like "today," today that is so clear to us, today, the realities of which we have no doubts about and less concern. So often we worry about things far down the road, that if we had only waited to experience or waited until they were nearer, we would have been less concerned about. I realized too in that moment that God is not bound by our limited vision. Residing above the forest of time and the concerns of life, he can see perfectly what is coming. He is above it all, he is "on top of it" soaring above and seeing it all. He knows what is up ahead and can be trusted with whatever it is. What a simple thing that v-shaped band of sky was that day...and yet so helpful. The Scriptures tell us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." It was nice to relearn that truth again. My hope is that if you are going through a time of questioning or concern about what lies so far down the road you can barely see it, that you will choose to trust the Lord about that "whatever it is thing" out in front of you, and simply enjoy today. God knows your future and can be trusted with it. Be at peace as you walk with him. Lift your head! Enjoy today, knowing as his child you are safe in his care. And if you aren't sure that you are his child, this simple prayer when prayed sincerely will settle that for you too: "Lord Jesus, I ask to become part of your forever family. Please forgive my sins through Christ and what he did for me by dying for me on the Cross...paying for my sins. I repent of my sin and commit myself to follow you. I don't know all that that means, but I know I need you in my life and in charge of my life. I give my life to you to do with as you wish. Thank you for the eternal life in Christ you have promised all who will turn to you, as I do right now. Amen." If you honestly prayed that prayer, you are God's child. Trust him. Trust him. Trust him. He loves you.