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Knock, chip, sand, smooth, paint, glue . . . It was fun watching the young people at Vacation Bible School this week as they cleverly and enthusiastically fashioned their individual race cars for the upcoming derby. No two cars were the same, not in design, shape, size, or color. Each was uniquely and proudly created by tender hands and an eager heart.

Without warning or prelude, Elijah the prophet appeared suddenly on the pages of scripture in I Kings 17. In obedience to God’s command, Elijah boldly declared God’s wrath before wicked King Ahab and announced that there would be no rain, nor dew for three years upon ungodly Israel. Then the prophet left following God’s warning to flee to the wilderness and hide by the brook Cherith.

Every year as spring arrives, I remember the time when we lived in France and went high into the Alps to a rustic retreat center. The sky was blue, the air was crisp and patches of snow spotted the mountainside. Here and there delicate little wild flowers showed their faces, some even pushing up through the crusty snow patches. At that elevation it seemed we could see forever. Being in the high place gave a different perspective to the whole world. It was a moment I wished would never end.

Although he lived and wrote over 100 years ago, Oswald Chambers really challenged my thinking this morning. Am I looking to Christ only when I need comfort or sympathy, or am I trusting Him to be able to do anything in my life? Look at what Rev. Chambers had to say.

Recently a dear friend asked me, “Where was God when I was being abused? My mind is trying to figure this out as this seems to be a crucial part of trusting God.� Here is my reply to her:

The best answer I know to your question is that God was then where He always has been–on His throne in the heavens controlling the universe, but He was weeping for you and with you in your time of difficulty. God’s plan was never for one person to hurt another, especially a child, but because He gave man a choice, He stepped back to let man exercise his own free will. Sometimes that free will hurts another, but God is sufficient to nurture, help and heal the one who has been hurt. He longs to care for and caress the wounded spirit in ways that one who has never been hurt could never experience. In that case then, it is to our blessing that each of us has been hurt in some way, for each one of us has need of the Savior and Great Physician. It is only in our hurt and pain that we can feel His gentle arms of love around us and feel the warmth of His tears as they fall from His eyes.

Why is it that when night falls all our problems seem bigger and bolder? Is it because that‘s when we stop the hurrying and rushing and finally have time to think and feel? Or is it because the darkness brings with it a somber insecurity? Whatever the reason, you know what I’m talking about.

Last night I couldn’t sleep. My mind was playing and replaying events from this week, and my heart was anxious over what might transpire next week. I tossed. I turned. Then I remembered the words of the psalmist, “When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.� So I deliberately turned my thoughts from my busyness and worries and focused on God. This time I didn’t recite His promises as I sometimes do, but rather focused on HIM. I thought about His goodness, His grace, His loving kindness, and His unfailing love.

II Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Looking through my files this week I came across a poem that has blessed my heart time and time again. I’d like to share it with you hoping that it will bless your heart, too.

ONE DAY AT A TIME
By Annie Johnson Flint

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

In this rocky and chaotic world peace is often hard to find, but God promises that those who turn to Him can have a peace that goes beyond all human understanding.

Peace with God comes the very moment you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ to be your savior. You are reconciled to God. It is similar to the signing of a peace treaty for you are no longer God’s enemy living in sin; you are at peace with Him and a new relationship has been established. It is instantaneous and can never be erased, diminished or reversed.

In the Book of Daniel, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego vividly portrays a truth that can hold you fast in the toughest of times. These three young Jewish men worshipped and served God. Although they served King Nebuchadnezar in his court, they refused to worship his 90-foot golden image, even when they were told they would face instant death by being thrown into an intensely hot fiery furnace. Their response to these threats? A respectful statement that in essence declared, “Our God is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, but if not we will still be faithful to Him, for He will deliver us from you. Either way, God has us!�

Sitting in the park I watched the mothers interact with their children. One particular mom with several children repeatedly drew my attention because it was obvious that she didn’t want to be bothered by them at that moment. Over and over again when they came to her, she pushed them away with words and actions. “Go play . . . Go find something to do . . . Go be with your brother.� Her tone reflected her annoyance when they interrupted her as she sat on the bench. With sadness the children went back to play. All moms need a break, and I’m sure it felt good for her to relax for a while, but I wondered what the constant pushing away must be doing to the children.