Action Required

 

1/28/2022

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." 

I am not sure if I have mentioned this, but I live in Maine. It is a very beautiful state with interesting people. Just this evening, I was watching a show on the new Magnolia Network -  you know that Waco couple's new network - called The Lost Kitchen. It is about a VERY exclusive, yet down to earth, restaurant in Freedom, Maine. Freedom is a tiny town with a population of just over 700. The woman who started the restaurant, Erin French, shared her story in the first episode; and a very powerful story it is. To say she had her share of setbacks would be putting it mildly. To say that she is like a phoenix that rose from the ashes is a pretty accurate description. She struggled and struggled, but kept moving forward letting her passion for cooking and the connection she makes with people through that act spur hew onward. It is her love language for sure. 

Watching this first show made me very emotional. I found myself tearing up or outright crying through most of it. I think it hit a deep chord with me. This woman, who is 15 years my junior, found her way. I, remarkably, am still looking for mine. I also have someone very close to me, and again much younger, who is also, like Erin, trying to follow his passion and make a way for himself in the world. It is NOT an easy thing to take the road less traveled, for sure. So, listening to her story reminded me of him, and I wanted to shout out, "IT IS POSSIBLE!"

Now, I know that there are verses about nothing being impossible with God, but the trick there is discerning what path He wants you to go down and stay on. When you are not seeing results from hard work after a while, you start to question everything. This is not uncommon, I know, and staying the course takes boatloads of faith and patience. I know my loved one and I have very different approaches to our separate paths; where he prays and keeps plugging right along, no matter how hard it gets, I tend to gas out and retreat. Unfortunately, we are are getting very much the same result. 

Then, through a random TV choice I made, I heard God's encouragement through someone else's story. Testimony is like that: it is meant to challenge and encourage. So this evening, I am feeling exactly that, and I am recharged and ready once again to act. I feel the blessing just out of reach for both of us, and I am so looking forward to a time that he, and I, and can also share that faith and perseverance is the way. Our testimonies, however, will lift the name of Jesus high; for it is only through Him that anything is possible. 

Psalm 20: 1-5 "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings, May he give you the desire of your heart, and make all of your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant you all your requests."