Tag Archives: God

TRUST

27 Apr

Hands and World

By Linda J. Humes

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5 – 6 KJV

Trust. An interesting concept. What is trust? Trust is traveling down a highway at 65 MPH with another vehicle bearing down on you from the opposite direction at the same speed – knowing that they won’t cross the double yellow line that separates you. Trust is running 75 MPH up a mountain grade, zipping past the big rigs struggling at 30 MPH to make the grade and knowing they aren’t going to cross that dotted white line and pull in front of you.

Every day we stand on that trust, even though we’ve seen the evidence of betrayed trust along the way – figure eight skid-marks, pieces of vehicles and flares along the road, even one retaining wall in Phoenix which had been scrapped black from an impact and someone had painted a red cross in the center. Momentary diversions. If we dwell on the betrayed trust we wouldn’t be able to function in transportation – fear would overwhelm us and we would remain paralyzed. We MUST remain in trust.

If I can trust completely in strangers in my everyday travels – why do I struggle in trusting that God will honor His word?

Recently our family had gone through critical medical and financial crisis. I knew in my heart that God could provide for our needs – for healing – for the medical expenses – for our food and shelter. But in my mind it was too big. How could I help make it happen – ever been there??

I looked around for extra work, there wasn’t any. I tried putting things out in front of our home to sell – a car hit the items and they were ruined. We called everywhere we could think of for assistance – we didn’t qualify. Every door closed around us – God wanted us to know that He was in control. He WAS! Healing came. Food boxes and grocery gift cards came. Every bill has been paid to date. Praise God! I don’t know how He did it; I only know that He did. I trust that he will continue until this crisis has ended.

Trust. Interesting concept. What is it? It’s knowing that if I walk humbly and faithfully in His ways, He will be there to meet my needs. It’s knowing that no matter how much I try, I can’t. It’s knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me more than I could ever fathom and wants His perfect plan for my life. It’s knowing that all I have to do is call His Name and He will be there beside me.

In that I trust.

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SHRINE

27 Apr

Shrine

By Linda J. Humes

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

It breaks my heart. Every time I pass by a part of me rips. It drives me to an urgency of prayer. Shrines – ornate piles of mementos placed along the side of a road at a point where a life was lost. Not a simple white cross, but a memorial of treasures, family pictures, candles, flowers, trees, elaborate crosses, balloons, clothing, even a whiskey bottle decorates one near my home. Paths to the shrine are kept raked and clean, a row of rocks line each side of the path. Someone spends hours of time showing their love for one lost. This is only one example of many that are scattered throughout the community.

It is difficult to know much about the one being memorialized, but the ones left behind are the ones I grieve for. Do they believe the “ghost” of the loved one lingers there to enjoy the birthday banners, Christmas trees, stuffed Easter Bunny, or the framed photos that are changed every few months? Do they think a disembodied soul floats about, mourning and waiting for the living to remember them at holidays?

I pray continually that God would send someone to the keepers of the shrine, to let them know the peace of letting go. To let them know that there is more to life than animate mementos of life. To let them know about Jesus. To show them His great love. To give them the security of knowing that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of God. That our peace after death is completely dependent upon our relationship with Christ, not on those who have stayed behind.

I don’t know who tends the shrines, but I know my God. I know that every prayer I utter meets the ears of my Creator, and I know that He can bring the right person, with the right words, at the right time, to touch their hearts and direct their souls.

Jesus, if that person is me – show me the way.

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Watching

19 Apr

horses

By Linda J. Humes
4/19/13

“Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” Proverbs 8:34 (KJV)

One of the wonderful blessings of living in Northern Arizona is the wide open land I travel through every day to work. I get to cherish God’s handiwork of fields, hills, clouds, sunrises, sunsets and the animals that roam the area.

At one point along my route there is a herd of about 20 horses. If I pass them by 7:50am they are all in a line against the fence, all facing northeast, toward the highway headed into Holbrook; every head is lifted, ear perked, intent, expectant, waiting. If I pass them closer to 8:00am they are back in the field, in a circle, all heads together down at the ground, eating the hay and oats delivered to them. No fussing, no fighting, no pushing; savoring their meal in peace, knowing each will receive enough. The rest of the day they graze the fields, each going their own different way.

Lord, I want to be like that. I want to wake up every morning and intently, expectantly seek you. I want to wait patiently until I hear you, see you, feel you, without distraction. And when you have met me, I want to eat of Your word, delight in Your presence, find peace in my relationship with You, before I step out into my busy day. I want to.

Why do I allow necessities to get into the way? I get up earlier and necessities swell. I look for quiet, but I find noise. I pray for a simpler time. Lord, I’m tired.

Pull me up Lord, into Your presence, as I do my chores, dress for the day and drive the road to work. Strengthen our relationship with every moment we share. Let me rest in You between every phone call and pen stroke. Let me be ever aware of Your unceasing love, drawing me on through the difficulties of the day. Keep me mindful of those around that I need to share your peace and joy with, even when the pressures of the moment try to push them from my day. I need you and the joy and confidence you put into my life. Help me to share it Lord, with my every word and action.

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