Unseen Footprints

I was reading along in Psalm 77 this morning when one of the last scriptures jumped out at me. The scripture is this: "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." - Psalm 77:19 In this verse, Asaph is referring to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. The story of that miracle was handed down from generation to generation, reminding the Israelites of God's power, protection, and love. In the beginning of this psalm, Asaph is crying out to God for courage during a time of deep distress. He was miserable because he had doubted God. In verse 13, he changes from focusing on himself, to focusing on God. As he did, his distress vanished and his faith and strength were renewed.

The part of verse 19 that stood out to me was "though your footprints were not seen." Clearly, the path that the Lord had made for them was the one the Israelites needed to take, however, they had to totally trust the Lord that it was indeed the right path. Can you imagine what they must have been feeling? I'm sure some of them were praying, "God, there must be another way to escape Pharoh than walking through the middle of the sea with a wall of water on either side of us!" But, they knew the Lord was with them and they took the path. Because they did, they were saved and Pharoh's entire army was drowned.

Sometimes God presents you with the path you should take, but it seems almost too terrifying to do it. You know it's the right path, but there are no footprints to follow. Sometimes, you are presented with more than one path, and you are having a hard time choosing which one because there are no footprints to follow. Sometimes, you are on one path, but the Holy Spirit says to take the other path instead. You doubt, or you question His voice because there are no footprints to follow. The Lord will not always give us a clear answer regarding which path we should take. However, I do know that you will have peace when you choose the right one. You will see blessing, you will see favor, you will see answers to your prayers. I'm not saying that you won't ever see hardships, suffer loss, have health issues, or whatever the case may be. Even if we are on the right path we are not in control of what happens around us every day. But, even when there are no visible footprints to follow, Jesus promises us that he is with us wherever we go.

Joshua 1:8 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law (the Bible) depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

We can be encouraged knowing that even if we've taken the wrong path, God is still with us. He said "wherever you go." That's pretty clear. That means right path, or wrong path, He is with us. If we are reading the Word and listening to His voice, then he will direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." He will guide us and protect us, even if we've gotten off the path he originally intended us to be on. He will guide us back to the right path. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." God's word is what is going to keep us in check and keep us on the right path. There's a reason why God told Joshua to meditate on the Word day and night. If we don't keep the Word in us, our path will get darker and darker until we're not sure where we are anymore. He promises us that his Word will be a light to our path. He will never fail you or lead you down the wrong path. His path leads to blessing and purpose.

So, if you are worried about taking the path God has called you to because there are no footprints to follow, just remember that Jesus is with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Just obey, and step onto the path. Let the Lord lead you and you will be just fine. I will leave you with these scriptures: "If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." - Psalm 91:9-12

Godly Hope

1 Peter 1:3-6 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade - kept in Heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."


My Hope Is Built...

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness seems to hide his face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my Hope and Stay

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

1 Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Life teaches us that our hope is purely based on circumstances. Jesus teaches us that our hope is in Him, no matter what our circumstances are. Godly hope will not, cannot ever let you down or disappoint you. Hope is not influenced by circumstances, but is anchored in Christ. Hope always focuses us forward. It doesn't look back, it only sees the goodness of God in front of us. Stay focused on Jesus Christ and you will have the hope that you need.

Happenings

I feel like I've had writer's block lately. Actually, it's been more like "brain block" in every area of my life. Do you ever have those weeks where you just feel like you're in a fog, like you just can't focus on a single task without getting totally distracted? I have had one of those weeks. I need to be productive, but I'm finding it really difficult this week. I know that things are getting done, just not as much as I should have accomplished by now. So, I'm hoping that the next weeks to come will be better.

I am so excited about our upcoming vacation to Disneyworld! Not only do I get to pretend I'm a kid again, but I get nine uninterrupted days with my husband and girlie's. We need it so bad! Life has been incredibly busy and somewhat stressful for several months now and we are ready for a break. We are staying at a beautiful resort and Disneyworld will be decorated for Christmas by the time we get there. I love Disneyland at Christmas, so I'm sure Disneyworld will be just as magical. It truly is amazing and even though it feels a bit indulgent, it's worth it. Sometimes you just need to spoil yourself and take a few days to enjoy a wonderful experience.

The girls have been really cute this week. Sarah got really mad at me the other morning. She held her little index finger up, looked me in the eye and said, "Momma, I no speaking to you right now!" Then she stuck out her bottom lip as far as she could and pouted for a good five minutes. It was so funny, but I didn't let her see me laugh. She is starting to talk so much and I can actually have an intelligent conversation with her. On one hand, I love it. On the other hand, it makes me sad because it means she's growing up. I have to admit there are some days when I can't wait for them to be grown up. But, I mostly just want to hold onto them forever.

Hailey told me the other day that she had a secret and she couldn't tell me. So I said, "Ok, then don't tell me." Here's the rest of the conversation at the dinner table that night:

Hailey: "Mom, I really think I should tell you the secret."
Me: "Ok, only if you want to."
Hailey: "Ok, here goes...(insert 12 year old drama) Ryan in my class is in love and the girl loves him back. Seriously, they are really in love."
Me: "Wow. Why is that such a big secret?"
Hailey: (eyes rolling) "Moooommm...it's because it's about love. Boys are NOT supposed to love girls!"
Me: "Well, they can when they get older. Love is a good thing."
Hailey: "Whatever. I'm never falling in love."
Me: "Good answer, for now."

She is so darn cute. She's really starting to put things together though. There was one point last week when I wondered if we had done the right thing by enrolling her in public school. With all the H1N1 talk, the Halloween stuff I didn't want her to get into, boys kissing girls, attitude issues, etc., I was really questioning it. I have now come to realize that I can't keep my kids in a bubble where they are never exposed to anything that opposes or challenges our morals or what we believe. She knows right from wrong and she asks me when she has questions about something. It's been a learning experience for her already, and for me, and I think it's good. I will do everything in my power to protect her innocence and guard her mind and heart. But, we live in this world and she needs to know how to live it in, but not of it.

She asked me the other day if it was ok to talk about Jesus and I said absolutely! She loves to tell people about Jesus. That makes me so happy! I didn't even have to teach her to do it. I had her parent/teacher conference a couple days ago and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about her. I actually could relate to the term "my heart was swelling with pride" as I listened to her teacher tell me how wonderful my child is. She complimented me and said that I have done a wonderful job raising her thus far and that she is so smart. It's those moments when all the hard work you've put in pays off and you see some of the fruits of your labor as a mom. Because we all know that being a mom is seriously hard work.

I am so blessed to have such amazing kids. I have had to choose to live by faith, not fear, these past couple weeks and I'm seeing the results. God is so good! I wonder sometimes why I doubt Him and his goodness. You know, when things are falling apart around you and your faith is being tested. It's easy in those moments to just freak out first and trust God later. We need to train ourselves to go to God first, and then see if the freaking out even needs to take place. : ) I'm not saying that faith makes you numb to your own emotions, but it does calm them down. It also helps you think more clearly, which is what I've needed this week. Sometimes we just need a little bit of perspective.

I have to run and get some things done while Hailey is at school. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you only have one child home with you. I pray you all have a wonderful weekend!