Can You Do Lunges Like Him?

She pulled him with one hand while pushing a stroller with the other. The mom & her little son crossed the street. She was out for her daily exercise and her young son wanted to walk with her. I sat waiting for the light to change & felt a bit nostalgic. The little guy looked exactly like my oldest son Josh (now 23 years old) did at that age. He had chubby, pink cheeks which shook as he walked and a thick head of black curls that bounced on the collar of his jacket. One arm flailing back and forth as he walked with determination and seemed to say, "I'm a big boy mom, I don't need to sit in the stroller."

Once they reached the sidewalk, the mom began to do lunges. The little guy intently watched and after a few steps, decided to copy his mom. But instead of bending his knee to dip low to the sidewalk, he did a slow bow, his head almost touching the ground. He took a few steps forward & bowed again, he looked up, his big, dark eyes searching his mother's face for her approval of his "lunges." He wanted her to be proud that he was able to do what she did.

When you accept Christ into your life, He wants you to mimic Him. Learning to do, say, and act, as He did. He knows that you may not get it right the first, second or even 10th time. But the fact that you are seeking to 'walk as He walks' is all He needs. He will then fill you with His Wisdom, Encouragement, Love, Forgiveness and Guidance. Slowly but steadily leading you, step by step, to eventually walk in His footsteps...not perfect, but humbly bowing down to Him and His Will for you each and every day. No longer selfishly seeking things for yourself, but looking for opportunities to show Christ's Unconditional Love to everyone you come in contact with. Spend time soaking in God's words, Praying and mimicking Jesus. He is your faithful and perfect example. He is your Savior.

"But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:5-6

"Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us." 1 John 3:21-24

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel." Psalm 89:15-18

WHY vs. TRUST

It's often easy to say the right words, declaring your Trust in God and Jesus Christ. But when troubles come, (sickness, finances, loss, hurt) we often struggle to continue Trusting. The Trust is somehow replaced with, "WHY?"

We question, "If God loves us, how can He allow these things to happen to us? What lessons haven't we learned or have yet to learn? Why is He allowing these difficulties that seem unbearable, unimaginable in their weight and intensity?"

During these times, even though we're unable to know the reason behind it, one thing remains true, God is with you in the midst of it. He is the one you need to continue to cling to, Trust in and rely on to see you through it.

Wavering Trust leaves room for doubt to creep in; doubt moves to despair; despair leads to eventually taking matters into your own hands...thus telling God that you can handle things in your life better than He can.

God's timing may not be our timing. He may step in at the last possible moment, when you feel like you're being crushed. He may allow you to go through difficulties but show you His unending Love in the midst of it...carrying you Lovingly through each day. Moving you closer to His ultimate will and plan for your life. When the "Why's" begin to surface, spend some quiet time with God, just as Jesus did when He needed strength to finish His journey. His Love will encompass you, strengthening you, body, mind, and spirit...leading you to Trust in Him through the "Why's," knowing that He has you safely in the palm of His Hand. 

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."

Psalm 27:8

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped."

Psalm 27:7

"Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge a strong fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth."

Psalm 31:2-5

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." Proverbs 3:5-6

A Legacy of Prayer

Story From: "God's Little Devotional Journal"

In the early days of the formation of the United States, a stranger once asked how he might identify George Washington among those present at Congress. He was told, "You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer, Washington is the gentleman who kneels."

Washington had a long-standing reputation as a man of prayer. At Valley Forge, he frequently found rest and relief in prayer. One day a farmer approaching the military camp heard an earnest voice. When he drew nearer, he saw Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears. The farmer returned home and said to his wife: "George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their Independence!"

"What makes you think so, Isaac?" his wife asked. The farmer replied, "I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah; thee may rest assured He will."

One person willing to humble himself and pray can leave a legacy of faith and hope, giving courage to future generations.

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes." Psalm 17:6-7

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18: 32

"Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back." Isaiah 38:17