WORD 7

It is a bitter sweet time in our house right now, as we are preparing to take our daughter halfway across the country and leave her at college.  I am very proud of her and her accomplishments thus far. I am also confident that she is moving into the purpose and destiny that God has planned for her but I must confess part of me still wants her to be the little girl that runs up and grabs on to my leg.

The days are very busy right now as we get prepared for college move in day and right in the middle of this Deidra had to have her wisdom teeth removed.  Hmmm…. why are they called Wisdom Teeth, and if they are tied to our wisdom, should we really be pulling them out?  Guess this will make another blog, now back to the story.  She had a 7:00 am appointment and I was her designated driver.  We prayed and away she walked alone back into the dark recesses of the dental lair.  Okay, so it wasn’t dark and I suppose the dentist doesn’t want his office referred to as his lair but we have to keep it fun.

I was very surprised when they called my name so quickly and even more surprised when the nurse said get your car and pull it around back I think we are going to send her home.  I pulled around back where they had left the door open for me and as I came through the door I heard the nurse say he’s coming around now.  Then it happened!  I heard the sound that had everyone tense and concerned.  I very LOUD but sweet child like voice was resonating through the halls calling, “Daaaaadddddy, I want my Daddy”.  I entered the room where Deidra was coming out from under the anesthesia and was greeted by my sweet little girl, “Hi Daddy, Why can’t I feel my face?   What are we doing here?” and then a flood of very LOUD nonstop questions and comments.  It then became clear why the staff was in a hurry to get her home.

The next few hours were very amusing to say the least but one thing was clear.  Something that I have tried to instill in my children from the very beginning is well rooted in Deidra, when in doubt, call your Dad!  Know that I am always on your side and I always want the best for you.  It doesn’t matter if you were bad or good, I will be there for you.  My children know this about me just as I have always known this about my Dad.  Deidra, although now becoming a young woman, in this time of uncertainty in her mind grabbed on to what she knew would be secure, ME (insert big smile here).  For me it became reminiscent of when she was four and would cling to my leg while surmising the situation or people around her. A part of me hopes she will never forget this security, even though I understand that in time another man will provide this for her.

I am currently passing though a time of refreshing (not relaxing) and self evaluation.  Amazing how the basics still work best, read God’s word and seek His face in prayer.  While musing about Deidra, the Holy Spirit seemed to challenge me with some questions; Do you trust God the way you expect your children to trust you?  When in doubt do you run to Me? Sadly these questions moved me to a point of confession when I realized the answer was NO.  Why is it that I pursue solutions in my self long before calling out Abba Father?  Could it be that my heavenly Father is saying “I remember when he used to run up and grab on to my leg”.

I come from a long heritage of blessing.  I have first hand knowledge that my great grandfather was a great man of God and I suspect he was not the first in our family.  This heritage has bestowed a rich spiritual blessing on our family.  I know I am not unique in this, as I also know other families with similar spiritual heritage, but could it be that the enemy of our souls has devised a trap and set it inside of this blessing?

Like many of you I have made the statement “I’m starving to death”.  Usually I make this statement after going only a couple of hours without food.  I too am trying to be more compassionate but wonder if I can really understand completely how it would feel to know I am starving to death because I haven’t had a meal for two weeks.  Today there are people who know this feeling but yet I take for granted that food is always available and my hunger is usually due to not being able to decide what I want to eat rather than a lack of food.  Is my spiritual life in much the same situation?  Born into a Godly family, I have never known a time without God.  I have not always lived a life that would be pleasing to Him but I also do not know what it means to be lost without hope.  Could it be that this lack of hopelessness in my life has left me taking our Savior’s love for granted?

I do not think that it is an accident that many of our most successful ministries today are being founded and lead by first generation Christians.  Men and women that God has saved from sin, who know what it is like to be lost and desperate for a Savior.  They are driven by the first hand knowledge that others need Him too.  They truly understand the hunger and desperation of the lost while I just talk a good game.

Today I am committing to love my Savior like never before.  When things get shaky or confused I will call out His name.  When circumstances look hopeless I will trust only in Him.  I will continually run to Him, grab on to His leg and rely on His security, confident that He is all I need.

Lord let me learn to rest in the security and strength of Your arms, so that I can fully realize the gifts You have given to me.

What are YOU going to do?