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Author: jamie

By Posted on Posted in faith, obedience, trusting Him 1 Comment

I had some thoughts about faith last night.  Since it was date night at Knott’s, there were no strollers, no sibling squabbles. Just grown-ups going on rides and enjoying good food and company.

As one of the roller coasters was pulling us into the loading dock, I had these thoughts:

How foolish to put my life in the hands of 18-year-old ride operators in a 20 year old car, coasting along on metal rails, cruising at dangerous speeds over asphalt and trees!!!! Why is it so easy to trust that the rollercoaster is going to stay on track and keep me safe?

If I can put my trust in a roller coaster, then why is it so hard to put my trust in God? Silence. Pit in stomach. Ouch.

I started thinking about the reasons that cause me to step out in faith on a roller coaster. It’s thrilling, of course. I have the opportunity to watch it run the track over and over. People get on, and they get off safe and sound. My faith and trust build as I witness others survive and enjoy the experience. The more that I ride the coaster, the more comfortable I become. Every time that I return safely to the dock, my faith is fueled and I have what I need to do it again.

So, what can I learn from roller coasters to develop my trust in God? I need to watch others in their faith walk. Take note of the tumultuous paths they endure… and eventually exit. Listen to their stories and let that strengthen my faith.

I need to keep trusting God with whatever He calls me to (and whatever He does not call me to).  Let Him lead, let Him conduct, let Him choose the track. Every time I follow Him on a roller coaster ride… I must look back and remember what I enjoyed. Keep record of the miracles He performed for me and the lessons He taught me.

The more I ride with Him… the more I will trust Him for the next round!

By Posted on Posted in contentment, endurance, motherhood, service 2 Comments

I just returned from a retreat for homeschooling moms. God took our simple plans for a refueling, reviving weekend and He blew it out of the water!  The theme was “From Empty to Overflowing”. We talked a lot about allowing the Lord to fill us. Several times we delved into Psalm 23 and listened to what God had to say about His plans to fill us and provide for all of our needs. I learned so much from Him this weekend.

I have to admit that one thing I resent about mothering is the constant serving, constant demands, constant turnover of laundry, dishes, messes, food, etc.  How futile and unappreciated many of my responsibilities seem. I have been praying like crazy for God to fill my heart with joy as I serve at home. I long to be filled with joy no matter how many times I have to clean something, cook something, put something away.

I realized this weekend that my problem is that I want to be filled by the Lord, but I do not want to be emptied out! Each moment that I spend seeking His face and pouring through the pages of His word results in the filling of my “cup”.  God showed me that the reason He fills me is not so that I can stay full.  He does it so that I can be poured out into the lives of others around me. Then I can go back to Him and be filled anew… to be poured out again.

God brought to mind a water wheel, and I thought about how each nook collects water on the lower part of its journey and then pours the water out on the upper part of its journey. The wheel goes around and around, repeating the same actions over and over again. To look at one revolution of the wheel, one would not be impressed with the outcome. However, as it moves through countless cycles, energy is produced. The wheel shows its effectiveness by plodding away, hour after hour, never giving up on its assigned work.

What a picture of motherhood.

I’m asking the Lord to fill me with joy and to remember that the repetitive revolutions of my day are accomplishing the great work that He has called me to:   raising educated, respectful, passionate children that will love Him and go wherever He wants to send them.

So, here I go again….

By Posted on Posted in direction, God's leading, obedience 2 Comments

You never know what the day will hold!! I dropped my daughter off at a club meeting about 11 miles from our house. On the way home, I decided to avoid the terribly congested freeway and take the windy road through Lake Matthews.

As my car approached the section of road that goes up and over the lake, I noticed the car in front of me getting impatient.  She made the mistake of moving a little too far to the right. Suddenly, the dust and gravel on the side of the road got under her tires… and she lost control. Swerving one way, and then the other, her car was facing me in a matter of seconds and I looked her right in the eyes. It was unbelievable! A moment later, she smashed into the half-wall that kept her from plummeting to the bottom of the lake.

I was so shaken! Half thrilled that my car did not get sucked into that destructive vortex… and half panicked about the condition this woman would be in when I approached her car. Thankfully, several people stopped and someone helped the injured driver step out of her car.

So thankful. So grateful to have averted disaster.

Now that I am home… this crash has me thinking and praying. And a little ticked.

I am so tired of watching people in my life spin out. Swerve across the lanes of their lives. Crash into the wall and hurt other people. I am stinking mad at the enemy who lives to destroy families, isolate people, and break hearts.

I’m seeing marriage after marriage end. I’m watching good people try to do what’s right and hurt others in the process. I’m witnessing relationship after relationship implode as miscommunication and hurt feelings run rampant.

Meanwhile, I’m just trying to keep my own life on track. Trying to avoid crashing into the wall that I see others smashing into. Life is not easy! Relationships take more work than anything else in life.

I am far from perfect. My marriage is miles from where I’d like it to be. I yell at my kids. Mess up the finances from time to time. Look my failures in the face daily. But one thing I can say….

I AM NOT GIVING UP.

After today’s experience, I am even more convinced that I have everything to lose if I do not let Jesus take the wheel and lead me on this road of life. I’m letting go so He can have control.