Weight Loss Honesty: Day 4

Weight Loss Honesty: Day 4- Where do you run to?
I was sitting in my husband’s office having a nice conversation when he said something rather unusual. “Denise, I know you are doing well with your new weight loss program but I have a feeling you really haven’t been tested yet? Wait till some unexpected trial comes along and then you will see the true strength of what God is teaching you.”

I felt a chill go down my spine. I didn’t like the sound of David’s words. They reminded me more of some timid prophet trying to hint at something without coming out and saying it. My flesh has the history of running from any thought of suffering and I was ready to put my good tennis shoes on.

When you think about unexpected trials what goes through your mind? For me it is always something connected to my children. Sometimes it seems like they are competing to see which one can keep their mother on her knees the longest. Know that feeling?

So where will I turn when the stress piles up? What do we run to? I didn’t have to wait long. Only four hours to be exact...

The phone rang and it was my oldest daughter Deanna. “Mom!!” Then her voice broke and I could hear her crying. “I can’t move, I hurt my back and the pain is unbearable…”

I quickly assessed the situation and realized she was locked in her house on the second floor and by some strange movement had caused her back to go into intense spasms. If she called 911 they would have to break in to help her! It sounded like she could have slipped a disc. The feeling of helplessness that flooded over me was overwhelming and I tried to comfort her and work through options. I prayed fervently with Deanna and when I finally got off the phone I hit my knees.

It took two hours before peace came and all the while that “crazy aunt upstairs” ( the flesh) kept yelling, “go eat something. You’ll feel better. It will calm you down.” I plugged my ears and kept praying.

Finally the Lord gently asked me a simple question. “Do you believe?”

“Believe what?” was my naive response.

“That I am able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think!” Now it was my turn to cry. “Yes, I believe.” Peace and quiet ruled at last. God is on His throne.

The Next day we got a phone call from David Michael who is in officer’s training in Ft Benning, GA. “Hey mom and Dad, I am going to be Platoon Sergeant this week and tonight at 2:30 AM we are going out to do night-time land navigation. I have to lead the men as well as pass the test. Pray for me!”

He sounded calm but a little apprehensive like we weren't getting the whole story. I sent out a prayer bulletin for David Michael and that is when the second wave of helplessness hit. We turned on the news and saw that Georgia was under a state wide flood watch as over 15 inches of rain had fallen in the past two 1/2 days over Atlanta. David Michael was marching out into a terrible night of flooding and he didn’t know it! Although David Michael and 35% of his men didn’t pass that first night, God miraculously kept them safe over 25 miles of hiking and navigating.

The theme verse playing like music in my heart this week has been Proverbs 18:10. “The name of the lord is a strong tower; the righteous RUN to it and are safe.”

I am running to my strong tower and I have found him safe and strong. Although more unexpected trials will come God promises to keep us safe and at peace.

Thought: Who or what do you run to when unexpected trials hit?

Last thought; does a cookie actually have the power to keep you safe?