Walking

Talking a walk in North Carolina last week was so beautiful.  The sun was shining, something I hadn't seen in a while.  And it was a bit brisk out, but the sun, the birds and some greenery made it quite lovely.  My sister is a runner, so she was running the trails while I walked for a bit.

There was a river, Falls of Neuse River, that runs alongside the trail and since my body is behind schedule in the exercise/buff department I decided to take a little break.  I traipsed thru the brush to find a good log to sit on and just watched the water flow by.  I noticed some of the trees that had fallen into the river, others just hanging over ready to go down with the next good storm.  And then others that stood upright and strong.  But the best ones were the pricker trees, green with leaves.  Leaves with tiny prickles on the end of each curve.

So on the log I sat, listening to some praise and worship on the ipod, when No More Tears came on.  That's a song I want to put on Sweet Sue's celebration DVD.  But I got a bit teary.  As I looked at the river I envisioned my weeping as those trees that had fallen into the river, suffering as the trees ready to fall during the next storm, and the trees that stood upright as the praises from us to our God, our Jesus, our friend, our savior.

Then the pricker tree leaves intrigued me.  Beautiful and green, curved, yet at each curve was a thorn.

Considering the last few months of my life, including the lives of the people I love and adore and support with my heart, it's been less than awesome.

With every upward curve, a thorn.

Disease, death, death, death, divorce, friends with cancer, money, teen drama, hip and back pain, car accidents, weight gain, tests.... Just when I feel I'm on an upswing, that darn thorn is right there.  I feel like I am green and blossoming- then life throws the curves and that darn thorn is there.  Do I prick myself or do I trust?

John 6:39 MSG  This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the Father be completed-not a single detail missed-and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole.

Ps 18:24  I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step.

Malachi 2:6  He taught the truth and did not lie.  He walked with me in peace and uprightness.  He kept many out of the ditch, kept them on the road. 

Ps 41:12  You know me inside and out, you hold me together, you never fail to stand me tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye. 

Ps 97:11  Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. 

Good heart soil is where joy is planted, but you can't have the joy without the light, without being one of God's people.  I spoke of being sideways in my last blog.  But I am realizing how important it is to keep upright, horizontal in our position, love and trust of Jesus.  Not  a single detail will be missed and when our time is up we will be completely put back together and whole and upright.

Circumstances will always be around and make us feel sideways, crooked, lopsided.  But we have a choice as to how we will stand in the middle of those circumstances.  We have a choice.  Notice he keeps many out of the ditch (pit) and on the road.   That river wasn't much more than a ditch.  Some of the trees fell in never to be rescued, others are on the brink and the rest are upright, perhaps protecting the others, perhaps certain of their purpose.

I've been all those trees, except the ones that don't get rescued.  And my life is a pricker tree leaf.  It's alive and beautiful, but has many curves and thorns in its design.  I choose to be the upright tree, protecting my friends and family from the inevitable worldly desires that creep so slowly into our lives. And I want to stop landing on thorns with every curve that life throws.  The curves should be expected.  And the thorns, well they are a choice.  I choose to use the thorns against the one who is trying to prick me-take that you devil you.

You get it? Explain it to me......

Much Love,

Vicki