Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - Milemarkers and Crossroads

   We're having a granddaughter: a baby girl swaddled in soft cloud pink. Julie and Nick and the rest of our family have been sitting at the crossroads waiting to find out whether to let our minds wander into the sugar and spice of ballerinas and Barbies or to gear up for camouflage and the vroom-vroom sounds of vehicles. Yesterday we set out to find the perfect outfit for our new doll to wear home from the hospital. As we shopped, we let go of the little suits with tiny ties for now and turned our full attention to the delicate, soft pink dresses with roses and butterflies on them. The list of boy names was set aside for now and both serious and funny girls' names (Ima Shirley Akin) moved front and center in our conversations. After trusting God in this life-altering decision, He decided the Akins needed a girl first just as He knew the Nolands needed a girl first. It worked out beautifully for the Nolands just as it will for the Akins.
     Nothing reveals a lack of trust in God more than constantly questioning His decisions on major matters. Nick and Julie will make wonderful parents to whomever God sends them, girl or boy, birth child or adoptee, an only child or the first of ten, but in His wisdom and for His kingdom's sake, God chose to knit this first child together with pink yarn. Now that the pink or blue question has been answered, the real trip of trust begins as they place this little girl in His hands on a daily basis, trusting Him to lead them as they nurture and guide her to fulfill her purpose in God's kingdom.
     Many people discover their faith only at the crossroads of major decisions and life-changing events while others plod along trusting Him daily in the details. If God had to choose one or the other, He would prefer our consistent, daily growth. Remember, the tortoise won the race while the rabbit napped between sprints. Does our trust in God shine brightly only at the crossroads or does it gleem a tad more with each passing mile marker?
     Father, You know best about everything and Your choices benefit everyone involved. You have big plans for all Your children which require our daily trust. Keep us loving You with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. We want to exercise more trust in You for not only the big questions but for the ones we make without a second thought. Change our habits and remind us to ask for You input on a consistent basis and not just for the biggies. May today be a new day of building or rebuilding our houses on You, the Solid Rock.
In the name of Jesus, our Answer at every crossroads and for each step of the way!


"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."Psalm 40:4

"When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4