Blooming With My Boots On

  

Darling Friend,

How I’ve missed you!  I know that is my regular greeting but I do wish you were here.  The blossom started this week and though it has been insanely soggy, I have had strange desires to don my boots and go smooshing through puddles.  I imagine we would take ourselves on a walk.  We could go on an epic waddle though soggy streets to the nearest coffee shop.  We would drink hot chocolate because we could afford the calories and feel righteous as we watched shoppers drive from store to store in order to stay dry. 

Yes, I am still living the simple life. :)

Except life is rarely simple.  Tomorrow, as you read this, I will venture downtown on an epic journey! I don’t think it is going to be pretty.  The population of the entire planet is expected to descend upon 5 square miles of the city.  (Slight exaggeration)  I have spent an hour drinking tea, staring at road maps, trying to figure out my navigational options.  My best plan so far is to get to arrive at my destination and then “accidentally” drive 400ft up a one way street to get to my reserved parking spot.  I’ve toyed with the idea of driving backward down the street but somehow, intentionally driving up the one way road seems a more honest way to break the rules. 

My second best plan involves driving through an area reserved for municipal vehicles and asking for help when someone finally realizes what I’m doing.  I’m conflicted because neither plan seems wise, but I have a mere 400ft to cover and no clue of how to bridge the gap.  Have you ever experienced something similar?  I’m already anxious and asking for God to be merciful. 

I’m certain I’m not alone.  Attending a meeting this week, I was made aware of a situation in our community that needs a solution.  The women involved had meticulously researched options to remedy the situation.  After countless hours of dedication, the answer has still not arrived and they are waiting to see which of their efforts will herald the resolution.  Prayerfully waiting, I hasten to add.

It was at the meeting I realized, I have no appreciation of life’s trials.  I don’t enjoy the process of working out a solution.  Don’t misunderstand me, problem solving is enjoyable, but I prefer it when the results are immediate.  Its human nature I expect, but the results of such an attitude are deadly.  It got me to thinking of bible stories that took decades to resolve.  Below are directions given by Moses to the Israelites in an admonition not to forget the Lord as they settled into a new land.  An examination of this warning, can give us insights to our own attitudes and trials. 

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Deut 8: 2-5

Though I haven’t wandered around a desert, I have spent time uncertain of my direction, unclear of my purpose and dependent upon the Lord to meet the lack I was experiencing.  To my shame, I don’t think my first response has ever been to ask God in faith for the grace to get through his trial and testing.  I have, however, spent a great deal of time accusing him of neglect and denying his right to test me or send me even the mildest inconvenience. 

I’m very good at being ungrateful. When I examine verse 3 and 4 I am struck by my own outrageous demands, as if God owes me a life free from struggle.  I have been through seasons where God has caused me to want.  When I was young, I viewed shortage as a means by which God would provide an equivalent, instead of as a means by which he would expose my incorrect heart attitudes and strengthen our relationship.  As opposed to thanking him for all the mercies he bestowed and ways he met my needs when I was in my pit, I was perplexed by the lack he allowed. I denied deprivations true function, that I would come to know the Lord's sufficiency and learn to be grateful in blessing and in want.

Perhaps I will give all this a try tomorrow morning as I go on my epic adventure.  I will wake up to the birdies chirping and attempt to sing along. As I navigate closed roads, enthusiastic runners and one way streets I will thank God that I am no longer lost.  He knows where I am, where I have been and where I am going.  If I miss my road and need to walk an extra mile to get to my destination, I will hop in every puddle I meet and imagine I am a delightful albeit soggy flower, blooming with my boots on.

Praying for you this week,

xoxKaren