Mad Gab

Lately my life has been marked with sadness.
A struggle in my personal life has resulted in forced smiles and down cast eyes.
At the beginning of this season I would cry out to God...sometimes in sadness...sometimes in anger...sometimes in confusion. It seemed however I didn't hear God answer...not even a still small voice.

At times I would begin thinking that God was not wanting to talk to me and would ask friends how God was working in their lives. Each and every time, a friend would reply with how they were experiencing God. I had mixed emotions. One celebrating that God was working among them in such a great way and the other a deeper sadness that I wasn't seeing Him work among my life.

Sadly my prayers began to slowly be withheld. If God is chosing not to work in my life then I will chose to cease conversing with Him. (side note...Not recommended)
As the situation did not change, I found myself missing God. I didn't know how to begin praying. The situation that had brought the sadness didn't show signs of change so how was I to pray in a believing fashion? All I knew was to open God's Word. The pages in my Bible fell open to Psalms 143 and I begin to read.

"Come quickly Lord, and answer me, for my deprssions deepens.
Don't turn away from me, or I will die.
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you."

This was just what I needed. God was speaking to me through the words of David.
I felt a spark of hope that God had not forsaken me.

Last night I really struggled with going to church. I was really wanting to go, unlock the doors, then retreat to my car until time to lock the doors back. Thankfully someone saw me and I was committed to stay.

Our pastors wife had graciously offered to lead the class for me and when she saw me she laughed because she had been caught. She was not expecting my attendance and decided to teach through a game. Her thoughts were, "If kids can learn through a game so can the women."

Honestly, my heart sunk. A game? How would God show Himself to me through a silly game? But you know what? He did!

We joined in a fun and lively game of Bible Mad Gab. We laughed as we heard the other team saying the phrase but not realizing it. We joked about how they were getting so close but yet so far. We research where the phrase was in the scriptures.
We enjoyed a great fellowship during a mid-week gathering that was simply refreshing.

To me that was just what the Great Physican ordered. I needed to know that although my sad situation was not letting up miraculously, God was still providing. He was being my sustainer, my all in all.

I can now read and attach myself to Psalm 143:11 "For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress."

He is faithful...may I be found faithful as well.

His,

Cynthia

Button button, Who helped the button?

There are somethings in life that you never expect to do.
Yesterday one of these things happened to me and my son Caleb.

As we were driving home from school, Caleb said "Mom, there was a deer stuck in that fence." A little shocked, I questioned him and his response prompted me to turn the car around to investigate more. As we approached the house, there in the wrought iron fence we saw a young deer stuck between the rails. Caleb went to the door to get the home owners but they were not home. We couldn't just leave the poor thing there. We had no idea when the homeowners would be home and we knew the life of the deer would not last long.

I called a neighbor that is a member of our Life Group and he came to help us free the deer. Thank goodness we watch a lot of Animal Planet because we knew it would calm the deer if we threw something over its head. I grabbed a towel out of the car and with a few gentle pushes the deer was freed and running for the hills.

After all the excitement we went home and Caleb was diligently doing his homework when out of the blue he said, "Mom are you proud." I knew he was working on thesis statements and wasn't sure where this was headed so I replied, "In what way are you meaning. Are you meaning am I proud you are working on your homework? Or are you implying that I am prideful?" He giggled and said, "No mom, are you proud that we helped that deer today?" My reply was "Yes and I am so thankful that you wanted to make sure it was ok." Such a sweet tenderhearted young man I have. (Of course I would have to mention that this is the same young man that earlier that morning he did see a full grown buck in the back yard and wanted to grab a crossbow.) But deep down he loves animals and hates to see one suffer.

I thought more about that event and realized that we are so many times like that little button buck. Stuck in a rail, rut or habit needing help to get out. As that little buck struggled and the very life was being zapped from it, it is the same with our lives. We can be threatened by the very thing that has us ensnared. Thankfully our God knows and is able to free us. Just as that deer had to trust that we were helping free him, we, too, simply have to trust in God's hand. Whether by His own hand or the use of others, He is so worthy of praise for His love knows no bounds!

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth--Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD."

Keep an eye out for those that are stuck and need a hand.
Have a great day in the LORD!

Cynthia