Sunday Sentiments

 

Before launching into today's thoughts, I want to wish my dad and Ryan's dad a very happy Father's Day! And a happy Father's Day to all the dads reading here today!

A few months ago, some friends of ours asked us if we would be willing to join them to make a team of four for our county’s version of The Amazing Race. As I shared this story with one of my former coworkers this week, she said, “Um, this does not sound like you AT ALL.”

            Truth.

            I said yes because I didn’t want to be the spoilsport of the group. I wanted to make Ryan proud and I didn’t want to be the chicken friend. But the closer the date drew on the calendar, the more terrified I became. The majority of my anxiety stemmed from not knowing what I was going to be asked to do in the challenges presented to our team. Not having an itinerary – for anything in life – is terrifying to me.

            Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the race itself, which clearly I did survive, but today I want to tell you how sweetly God met me in these days leading up to the race. Every single day, I seemed to encounter a verse and/or quote that spoke peace to my heart.

            Last Sunday, it was Psalm 9:9 – “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” The oppressed was a stretch for this situation, but I could see how there could be times of trouble for this girl who struggles with strength, coordination, and endurance.

            Tuesday it was Psalm 56:3 – one I learned as a kiddo in Sunday School. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” (I learned it in the good old KJV.) I journaled that day, “As we approach the day, and I grow increasingly terrified about the unknown and am reminded of my insufficiencies, I put my trust in You to rescue and sustain me!”

            Wednesday, one of my friends posted a quote by Michell Clark that says, “When you’re nervous about stepping outside of your comfort zone, remind yourself…It feels scary because it’s unfamiliar, not because I’m incapable.”

            And my verses that day were from Psalm 145:14-17 – “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”

            Susie Larson writes the best quotes, and one of them Thursday said, “How do you create an atmosphere for growth and healing? You remember that God is on the Throne. You make God’s peace a high priority in your life. You learn to celebrate even the smallest of victories and enjoy even the smallest of blessings.” I fully intended to celebrate every tiny victory I encountered.

            And Friday, the day before the race, the verses in my planner were Psalm 59:16-17 – “But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. Oh my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”

            Today the verse that came up was another one I learned as a kiddo – this one from a novel I read. Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

            So I gathered up these verses and bravely got in the car to go to the starting line. My team said they just wanted to have fun, but they were also competitive, and I knew they really wanted to win. I just wanted to overcome the obstacles of my mind that said I wasn’t good enough to be part of this team.

            I won’t spoil tomorrow’s stories, but clearly I did survive, and the moment it was over and we were back in our car, I cried. I cried because I did something I never thought I could do – and I did it in the strength of the Lord. He did not fail me for one second out there. Not when I was crying out for help with an impossible challenge, not when I was struggling to keep up, and not when I wanted to quit. He was there with all His strength.

            I can do hard things. I did hard things yesterday. I’m so grateful for an encouraging team and my faithful God!