Gazing at Faith’s Hills Behind Me
Every once in a while I find myself in a position where I have to explain again, why I gave up my job and home and friends in London, Ontario, and moved back to Hague, Saskatchewan to be a live-in caregiver for my parents. At that, with no guarantees but a bed, my meals, and a roof over my head in all seasons.
It’s a long story and has many angles to it. The super-condensed version is that when I was really willing to do anything God asked me, even go to Timbuktu (somewhere in Africa, I think), God began to gently, continually put before me the plan to go home, right relationships with my parents, and be there for them. He promised me that I would get to write, and I would have great joy in doing this. For more than that, I would have to exert myself to trust Him.
Have you ever trusted God for something really big? Or really impossible? If so, I bet you found it easier at the beginning when you first caught the vision of what you were going to do, but then came the slower slugging through one long day after another, right?
Keeping the vision polished and shiny bright, carries you along for a while. Eventually the times come when you have to re-affirm and re-assert your pledge of trust and faith in God. Otherwise, you end up falling by the wayside.
The strangest, comforting thing is that once you are a long ways down that path you can turn and look over your shoulder to see the distance you’ve covered ’somehow’ and realize that your faith has stretched and grown far beyond what you first ever dreamed or imagined.
I suspect this happens too, in marriages that have rocky starts, but both spouses hang in there, work through the problems, and eventually come to smoother spells.
If we ever think we’re going to develop a rich and living faith a few minutes after asking for it, we are looking through cheap rosy sunglasses. Ones that distort the truth.
Today I’m doing a bit of looking over my shoulder though, and gazing at the hills I’ve come over.
One. I see that I have learned to do without a lot of material ’stuff.’ Turns out I didn’t need it after all. Materialism has been exchanged for a spirit of contentment.
Two. My, but I have learned to make do, and make gifts out of the very stuff that lies around unused. It is also surprising how often someone slips me a bag of odds and ends because they remember that I like to make cards and gifts. I have more on hand than I can use up!
Three. Whenever I’ve stopped thinking something is hopelessly too expensive for me, and started praying for it, God has provided. If it was urgent, like a tooth extraction, the funds suddenly came in. Last year I prayed for 11 months for new glasses, but I had to start praying with patience, and true faith. When I did, I suddenly received almost twice the amount needed!
Four. When I review such stories of God’s faithful provision, and the perfect timing of His gifts, and when I express my gratitude, my faith is like a plant sprouting fresh shoots and new growth. There is value in remembering these things. I must make more of an effort to share them.
If you are afraid of what lies ahead in your life, let me coax you to make a deliberate decision to trust God. Study up on His promises in the Bible if you need reassurance, that He is well able and willing to provide all your true needs. Beyond that, apply some of the lessons I’ve learned;
1. Expect your faith to be tested. That’s the only way God will grow your faith - by stretching it.
2. Learn to recognize the things you don’t need, and let go. Stop pining for them. Relationships and spiritual treasures are worth far more than your “things.”
3. Expect to exercise resourcefulness and creativity. See them as gifts God is holding out to you! You’ll learn new skills.
4. Whenever you feel you really need something, start praying about it. It will come about the time you really believe God is going to provide it. And it will almost always be in the nick of time.
5. Don’t keep God’s exciting provisions all to yourself. Tell others! It will revolutionize their faith as well as yours.
Note: in my novel, Ruthe has to exercise some faith too. In some areas it comes easier than others. But she grows as she throws herself into it. You could learn from Ruthe…
To read sample chapters of my first novel online, start at the index
To order the e-book to download and read on your computer; the order page (or if you email me, we can make a deal and I’ll send it to you on CD).