Through the Little Narrow Gate

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:13

I’ve been thinking about how to best illustrate what this scripture means to me to my boys. 

The picture I have is me as a child,  just learning how to ride on a bicycle.  I’m on a dirt road, and I see glimpses of the sun popping through the leaves of the trees that bend overhead. 

I hit a rock, I wobble, regain control, and stay on the path.  I hit a pothole and fall off my bike, I skin my knee.  I get back on the path.  A car comes in the opposite direction and I move to the side, over correct and drive into a ditch.  I get up and get back on the path.  I take a shortcut through the woods, and realize I’m not feeling the off road bike adventure, it’s not for me, I get back on the path.  I reach a steep hill I cannot climb on my bicycle, I get off and push it up the hill.  When I reach the peak I get back on and coast a little, enjoying the wind on my face.  I reach my destination, pop off my bicycle, and drink water deeply.  I am refreshed, I feel accomplished.

In my little bit of a ride, I’ve been tired, scared, frustrated, bruised, and also pleased and satisfied because I didn’t quit.  I had a destination in mind for that moment, and I didn’t deter from it.  I didn’t give up, I didn’t choose an easier path.

I think of Matthew 7:13, as a check point for myself.  I ask myself if I’m on the path that God has set out for me?  Have I chosen an easier path or have I missed a signal to change direction?   Am I “feeling” good about where I’m at or am I restless?  Am I listening for and pursuing God’s direction in my life?  Am I moving towards the little narrow gate? 

I know my clue in is when I feel restless, it’s time to start opening my eyes and ears a bit more to what’s going on around me.  I spend even more time in prayer.  I evaluate every opportunity before I say yes or no.  I look at what I’m doing right now and ask myself if it still makes sense?  

There is a road for you to follow. 

How do you know you are on the right path or if you need to discern it?

Read Full Post »

Fear is a Four Letter Word

I’ve been going on and on recently about change in my life.  I’ve also said that I didn’t feel like I could really write without complaining.   I’m okay with hearing complaints but not unless there’s some change associated to it.  Nothing get’s under my skin more than hearing a complaint without any action to correct or alter the path. 

Change has been coming and I’ve welcomed it, without fear.   I’ve occasionally experienced frustration due to my impatience, anticipation and gut wrenching disappointment.   I’ve often heard that if you pray for patience, you’ll immediately receive lessons in it.  

So here’s what’s been happening:

As a family we have been praying that God would bring the right family to our home in Acworth.   That prayer has been answered, we sold our Acworth home in mid July.  It was on the market for a little over 2 combined years (1 year as a rental).  Nothing get’s your heart pumping like awesome feedback on your home without the “SOLD” sign in the yard.   We negotiated 6 contracts in total, 5 falling away for various buyer reasons before we made it to the closing table.  

We are beginning to plan changes in our current home – to make it “ours”.  We had  refused to make any changes until we had closed on the Acworth house just in case we would need funds to sustain two homes.   The project ideas are being identified, prioritized and priced.   We’re a Dave Ramsey household, so essentially it means we’ll save up for projects and pay in cash.   More patience prayers are expected 🙂

My work is ‘changing’, but I’m not fearful, I’m clear minded and working through the options. 

We received news that our youngest son was diagnosed with ADHD.  We’ve prayerfully discerned that God designed him just as he is and we won’t be medicating him.  We have put him in a summer learning program to help him with focusing and such.  We significantly changed his diet which has made a tremendous difference in his cooperation and attention. 

I’ve torn the meniscus in my right knee, which has slowed me down but not stopped me from working out.  I will admit that I need to get back into a regular cadence and change my eating behaviours, but the pain doesn’t seem overwhelm me anymore.

I’m coming “off the bench” to start singing again at church, I’m excited at the opportunity to do so.  

I’ve just returned from a wonderful women’s retreat weekend and met many local parish women and am looking forward to growing in faith with them.   

Yes, indeed change has been swirling about, and it’s exciting, it’s refreshing, it’s not fearful. 

One common thread to change, it comes, invited or not.  How we respond to the change can empower us to go to where we’re called.  Resist a spirit of fear, it will paralyze you.  Be open to change, pray, ask for prayer, discern your options, make the decision and walk in faith;  It will lead you into a place of peace and clarity.  

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Read Full Post »