Footprints

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters,·I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” –Isaiah 43:1-2

In several conversations with family members over the past few months, a couple of things have been mentioned that really caught my attention.  One conversation was about the “Footprints in the Sand” poem and one was about a camp meeting altar call that took place in 1980.  Both of these things reminded me that God was with me way back when and He is still with me now.

The well known poem “Footprints”, speaks about God carrying us in times of trouble and therefore the one set of footprints are His with us safely in His arms. It’s a testimony of faith from someone who has been through deep waters and knows that Jesus was with them through it all.  Do I believe He carries us?  Yes I do.  Do I believe in times of trouble He is with us?  Yes I do.

The camp meeting conversation was about the first time I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  I was 10 the first time I went to an altar to ask Jesus into my heart.  Do I believe God wanted my heart as early as 10?  Yes I do.  Do I believe that He had/has a plan for my life?  Yes I do.

I was 10 years old sitting in a camp meeting service on a wooden, very uncomfortable pew.  We sang some songs and the speaker spoke. I cannot tell you what the Evangelist spoke on that night back on August 8, 1980.  I cannot tell you that His words changed my life forever either.  But, I can tell you that God changed something in me that night.  I knew there was more to Church, than going to Church.  I could feel it. (Please note here that I didn’t realize how little I actually knew about God and life…but Hey, we all have to start somewhere right?)  Do you know what I mean when I say “that nudge, that pull on your heart from the Holy Spirit”?  It’s that gentle tugging that propels you to want more, to want what you are missing, a longing, that you are in need of help.  I was reminded through this conversation, several weeks ago, that God was with me even when I was 10.  He was starting a work in my heart before I even realized what a true relationship with Jesus really meant.  

As I thought about that, the conversation about the “Footprints” poem came back to my mind.  God has carried me many times.  God carried me when I didn’t even know He was.  I believe there have been many times since I was born that God has been with me, protecting me, wanting me to desire and walk a closer relationship with Him.  He has gently prodded my heart many times since then and I have blazed a trail to the altar on more than one occasion.  (Teen-age years can be difficult, with large learning curve experiences. Just Saying…)  I truly believe in years gone by that God has carried me many, many times.  I think the poem speaks volumes about the love, care and compassion that our Savior has for us.   In our frustration, due to the situations of life, I think we forget that He has carried us all along.  He has been with us since we took our first breath and will be with us when we take our last. 

Life is hard.  We all go through times when we want answers to the questions, reasons why things happen the way they do, help and relief from the pain and the stress of it all, but please believe me when I tell you that you are not alone.  No one escapes the realities of life.  It may appear that people have their life in order and they are happy and stress free, but I have yet to have a “real life talk” with someone who hasn’t been through the deep, dark stormy waters of life at some point. 

 I think of it as a big, wide ocean and we are all in our boats on the same waters paddling, paddling, paddling to get through.  Our “boats” may be a little different, but we are all looking for and longing for peace and calm while we are sailing on the some times stormy waters of this life.   All journeying separately, but still together on the same ocean called life. 

I want you to know that God loves YOU.  God has YOUR back.  God cares about YOU.  God seeks after YOU.  God delights in YOU.  God created YOU.  God will provide for YOU.  Like the poem speaks of, God will carry YOU through the deep waters.  YOU are not alone. 

Whatever you are facing, remember YOU are loved by the creator of the universe.  He doesn’t care about your past, what you have done or haven’t done, He wants YOUR heart.  He wants to be with YOU this very moment as we journey through life.  He wants to sit with YOU in your “boat”.  All you have to do is ask Him and He is there.  Speak His name.  Follow the gentle nudging of your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13 says:  “When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me.”

 So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles! 

Our God is a God of Miracles! 

Count Your Blessings…