Ooh, a Shortcut…. Not So Fast!
“Momma, momma, why can’t we just take the shortcut?” asked my four-year-old on the way to the doctor. He saw the doctor’s office in the distance and must’ve figured that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line—why not just take it?
“Because…”
I maneuvered the twists and turns through the medical complex as I tried to think of an answer he could understand.
“Sometimes we have to take the long way to get where we’re going.”
“But it’s just right there.”
“I know. But sometimes we can’t take shortcuts. There might be things we need to see on the long way—maybe something we need to learn.” Like patience, I told myself.
Isn’t that like life? Sometimes we’re in a situation for much longer than we anticipated.
- Singleness.
- Illness.
- Unemployment.
- Any type of life transition.
Like my son, we might say, “Why can’t we just take a shortcut, Lord?” Or, “Why is this taking so long, Lord?” Or, “How long, Lord?”
We’ve all been there.
Today, I want to remind you about the Israelites.
When the king sent the people out of Egypt, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the shortest way.
God said, “If they have to fight, they might change their minds and go back to Egypt.” So God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea.
The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt. The Lord showed them the way; during the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud, and during the night he was in a pillar of fire to give them light.
In this way they could travel during the day or night. The pillar of cloud was always with them during the day, and the pillar of fire was always with them at night. (Exodus 13:17-22).
Dear one, God has a reason for taking you the “long” way. Be assured, that despite how long you’ve been in your situation, He is with you, and He will show you the way. He has not left you.
Sometimes it is frustrating to have to take the long route, but remember: We might not understand the road we travel, but we can rest that the Lord will direct our steps (Proverbs 20:24). He has good and perfect gifts in store for us (James 1:17).
Come alongside… What situation do you find yourself in today? How long have you been there? How can you trust God’s plan for you?
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Decisions, Decisions…
Have you ever had a decision you knew you needed to make but you kept putting it off?
I’ve been there for awhile now. And by awhile, I mean a little over three months.
In that time, I’ve struggled with fear, uncertainty, irritability, and routine insomnia. Just a heavy spirit overall–I haven’t been able to get away from it.
I know what God wants me to do, and I want to obey Him, but I haven’t been sure of the outcome. Am I supposed to be? Is it even considered faith if I insist on having things in perfect order before I obey? Sure, there’s something to be said about preparation before making a big decision, but are circumstances ever perfect to obey?
Last week, I vowed to obey. No more putting it off. After all, delayed obedience would still be disobedience.
So I did it. I really did! Took one deep breath and just let it out: “I’ve decided to retire and be a stay-at-home mom.” Phew! Did I just say that?!?!
Although I was nervous about how that conversation would go with my manager, it actually went very well. In fact, he even asked me if I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
“Yes!”
Obedience is scary, isn’t it? It tests us (Deuteronomy 13:3-4).
- Do we really love God (2 John 6; John 14:23-24)?
- Is He really our Master (Romans 6:16)?
- Do we really have faith in Him (Romans 1:5)?
He promises to protect us when we obey Him, dear one (Psalm 5:12). We may not know what lies on the other side of obedience, but neither did Abraham when he left his home town to the land that God would show him (Hebrews 11:8). When we make that decision to obey Him no matter what, He declares us “right” with Him–and there’s no other place I would rather be (Romans 2:13). We need not fear if we know He is leading us. He will give us His favor (Deuteronomy 6:3). Even more, He will grant us peace and set us free (James 1:25).
Decisions, decisions… Which one are you putting off?
Come alongside…What about you? Have you had to make a tough decision lately? Are you still trying to muster up the courage to do so? What can you do today to move you in that direction?
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That’s Jesus?!?!
My eight-year-old son beamed to show off his class picture. We were equally excited—the new parents that we are.
He pointed to a fair-skinned boy with a floppy hair-cut and cute ears.
“This is so-and-so.”
Then he pointed to a dark-skinned boy with a mini-afro.
“This is such and such.”
And then he pointed to a Hispanic boy with a Mohawk.
“This is Jesus.”
“That’s Jesus?!?!” asked my six-year old daughter in disbelief.
“Not Jesus, Jesus,” I replied—trying to keep my composure. “His name is Jesus, just like in the Bible.”
“Oh.”
They carried on as if nothing happened, but I laughed about it on and off throughout the day. It still makes me laugh.
But it also makes me think.
- Do I know Jesus?
- Do I know His love?
- Do I know His voice?
- Do I tell others what Jesus means to me?
- Do I show them what He’s done in me?
- Do I dare say, “This is my Jesus!”
Do I know Him?
Well-known Pastor, S.M. Lockridge, of Calvary Baptist Church in California, knew Jesus. And he wasn’t afraid to say that his Jesus—my Jesus, the one and only Jesus—was—and is—King.
Enjoy this brief message, “That’s my King,” by S.M. Lockridge.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE
Do you know Him?
Kissing my bad habits goodbye
Thank you to everyone who replied to my latest poll, “Can you really get rid of bad habits?” We had a lot of discussion and great comments.
Overall, you said that most habits can die. And I agree! In fact, I believe that all bad habits can die.
I don’t have scientific evidence to support that–but I don’t need it. That’s why I have faith–faith in the all-powerful God who has freed me from my bad habits:
- Addictions.
- Perfectionism.
- Workaholism.
- People-pleasing.
- And more.
When I have laid these habits at the cross of Jesus–without taking them back again, He supernaturally erases those desires and tendencies so I can live in joyous freedom.
Some bad habits are so strong that I keep taking them back again and again. Part of my problem is that I put myself in situations that make it easier for my bad habits to resurface.
- Relationships.
- Friendships.
- Even the computer.
Truth is: I can feed my bad habits, or I can starve them. I can go back to the same routines, or I can replace them with better habits–habits that give life–not death. Every time I fail to create healthy habits, I put myself at risk.
When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place (Matthew 12:43-45).
I don’t have to put myself at risk. When I’m tempted, I can call upon God. He will help me day-by-day, and many times, even moment-by-moment.
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In the end, I will be free, and whom God sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).
Goodbye, bad habits!
Come alongside: How about you? Do you relate? Which bad habits have you replaced with good habits? With whom can you share this good news today?
Recovery Resources
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Gimme a Break
Lately, this commercial has been running through my mind. Do you remember it?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V7c-jZ4wbg
I could just say that I’ve been eating too much too late at night–maybe too much chocolate. But I know all too well that God uses the simple things to remind me of His love for me.
You see, lately I’ve been too hard on myself. I’m entering a new season in my life–motherhood, and I’m feeling a little ill-prepared.
- Inexperienced.
- Inadequate.
- Unqualified.
I haven’t struggled with my perfectionism in awhile, and these feelings have actually taken me by surprise. Old issue–new circumstances.
The first week was really a struggle for me. I beat myself up for forgetting hand wipes, for not bringing snacks and water on long car rides, you name it. All seemingly minor details blown up in the “shoulds” of my mind. I should be able to … I should know how to …
Then I remembered the Kit Kat commercial, especially the part that goes, “Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat bar!” (You know the tune.)
I had to step back and take an objective look at my situation: I am a new mom. I have gone from zero children to five adoptive children–three of which are already in my home. This is uncharted territory for me–definitely a step of faith. If anything, I shouldn’t know how to do these things–I have never traveled this road before.
This is an opportune time for my perfectionism and unrealistic expectations to rent space in my head.
But I’m not letting them. I’m giving myself a break.
God will never let me be pushed past my limit, and He will always be here to help me come through the ups and downs of whatever situation I face (1 Corinthians 10:13). I refuse to discount the small steps I am taking. Instead, I rejoice with God every time I take a step in the right direction (Zechariah 4:10). Even more, I treasure the little rewards along the way:
- Hugs and kisses from my children.
- The way they call me “mommy princess.”
- Their prayers thanking God for this family.
It won’t be easy, but I can do it (Philippians 4:13)! God is cheering me on. He is on my side (Romans 8:31).
Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of God’s grace and love.
Come alongside… How about you? In what areas of your life do you have unrealistic expectations? How can you give yourself a break?
