A new day

On November 16, 2013 God miraculously answered our prayers. We have a daughter as well as a son.   Our family has grown and our world has changed. Who knew... God did :) 

Thank you Jesus. What a gift she is and a delight to pour into. Our family... Thank you!

Surrender

Author Emily P. Freeman in her book “A Million Little Ways” shares:

“I stand in clear water at the edge of the world where the Carolina coast shakes hands with foreign friends – Hello Africa. Hello Europe. Hello drops that carried our ancestors over and salted the fish on my plate last night.

I play a little game, warm water up to my waist. How long can I keep my feet in one place? The sea is subtle today, confident enough in her power to take a break from showing off. Her waves are gentle, rhythmic, tame.

I lock my knees, set my eyes on the gray outline of a shrimp boat and pour all my power into keeping my feet firmly planted. But even these training-wheel waves move me. I spread my hands upon the water, hold out arms, dig in heels. I’ve yet to meet the person who can challenge the sea in any kind of game and win.

The sea smiles. She breathes. I lose my balance.

Finally, I declare defeat. I loosen my knees and surrender my body to the unforced swaying of the sea….

 

So a couple of weeks ago when I read this, I was sitting on a beach in St. Lucia. And being the prideful woman that I am, I wanted to personally try this and try to prove her wrong. So I planted my feet into the ocean floor and, with all that I had in me I tried to fight the waves. Easily I was tired and in need of rest, so I let go and let my body sink – then float. My husband, the loving man that he is, smiled and encouraged me to go even farther; to put my head in the water and close my eyes. I really didn’t like that thought and after much fight and to be honest, fear, I finally chose to let go. In went my head. I closed my eyes and experienced the amazing gifts of the ocean. Buoyancy.  Warmth.  The gentle rocking  - like a mother holding her baby. But the greatest gift of all was the peace. The longer I stayed in the gentle caress of the ocean, the more I found myself letting go of my fears and my upset of my failure to plant my feet. And I was at rest.

Well, true to the process of sanctification in my life, God chose to allow me to put this beautiful image of surrender into practice.  Later in the week I became very ill and came to a place where I had to choose to plant my feet and try to control the situation or to let go into the surrender of His living water. Let me tell you, He is good and He never left me even in my immense times of doubt. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not always going to be easy, but He’s there smiling and holding out His hand and encouraging you to lift your feet and put your head back and surrender into His love.

So, I this morning as we lift our voices and hearts in worship, I encourage you to let go. Wherever you find yourself. In the eye of the storm, or in the crashing waves… Let go and surrender your life as an act of worship to the only One who is capable and worthy and holding out His welcoming hand.