It's Just Like Riding a Bike!

I got to thinking about this journey we are on, and this picture of a kid learning how to ride a bike came to my mind. I know, sometimes the pictures I come up with are a bit off the wall, but stick with me. I think God knows I need a picture to understand where He is in the midst of things.

So, the image I saw was of a child learning how to ride a bike. The child (thats me or you) is so excited to learn something new, grow in their independence and accomplish something truely remarkable. The child's parent steps along side them to help them out, they speak words of encouragement and give them helpful advice as they begin to pedal and try furiously to keep their balance. I picture God as the parent next to me on my bike. I am terrified yet excited at the same time, excited to be able to accomplish whatever God has set before me. In the beginning, He is right next to me, holding on and guiding me until I get enough momentum to balance on my own. Yet, the whole time, God is actually running along side me, even though there may be times I cannont feel his presence, just like a parent, He is there, ready to catch me when I fall, patch me up and send me back out on my bike.

The other image was of a child who wants to learn to ride his bike all by himself. It isn't impossible to do, yet it is way more difficult. There is the high probablility of getting a few more scrapes and bruises along the way, maybe even a stitch or two, when he tries it on his own. It takes a lot more energy and there is definitely more pain involved.

The amazing thing about God is, He gives us the freedom to choose how we travel through life, on our own, or with Him.

I guess I would much rather travel this journey with my Heavenly Father running alongside me, whispering words of encouragement and ready to catch me when I loose my balance.

I don't want to be the stubborn child who wants to travel the journey all on his own, with no assistance from his Heavenly Father.

What about you??

Call Me Crazy, But...

I love to Can! I know, who practices the Art of Canning anymore?? Wasn't that just back in the ¨Old Days¨, when people really didn't have grocery stores and you grew all your own produce in your garden?

Well, I admit, I love to Can and have been busily Canning all week long. There is a huge sense of accomplishment when I am done Canning the last jar and everything is neatly lined on my pantry shelves. There are many tasks that need to be done each day in our home, like the laundry and dishes, and it seems once I have completed those tasks, I turn my back and it needs to be done all over again!! I feel a little defeated after a while with those chores. But it´s different with Canning. I get to enjoy what I have done all through the winter, looking at each jar as if it were an expensive bottle of wine, almost too good to open.

I also love the smell that fills the air in my home, especially when I am making applesauce. Or the sound of each jar sealing after I take it out of the Canner, it becomes a mini celebration with each pop!

O.K., so now you know one of my crazy little secrets!

A New School Year!

Well, we started a new school year today in our household. As I thought about what the kids would learn this year, the new friends they might make and the new adventure my middle daughter is embarking on, it occurred to me; this is a new school year for me as well. What am I about to learn this year?? What does God, the amazing teacher, have in store for me?? I am not sure, but I know it will be good.
I am not a big "New Years Resolution" person, I think making resolutions is kind of a waste of time (in my opinion), because I can resolve all I want and then come February or March, I have forgotten everything I promised myself I would do and nothing has really changed. But, when I realized I am the student, and I have an opportunity to learn and grow this year, I got pretty excited. No, I will not need a new pack of #2 pencils, notebook paper or a brand new pink eraser, but I will need a teachable spirit, a willing heart and a Christ centered perspective.
Lord, what will you teach me this year? That is what I need to keep in front of me each day, as I begin my new school year.