Are You In?

I spent this weekend in Guthrie, at a ladies’ retreat hosted by Lodestar Ministries. It was one of the most awesome weekends I’ve had in a very long time.

Elizabeth and Michael, for my birthday, surprised me with the retreat! They had paid for everything for me and Elizabeth was going, too! Spending the weekend with her and the retreat – it was a treat that I definitely needed!

We had a wonderful speaker, Cheryl Lange, founder of LodeStar Ministries, who among other things, shared with us her own testimony of the faithfulness of God in her life. The theme of the retreat was, “Are You In?”, based on The Great Farini, a man who crossed over Niagara Falls, on a tightrope, many times before a large audience.

At one point, he began carrying his manager on his back across the falls. The audience loved it! Then one time he brought a wheelbarrow into the act. He would get up on the cable and ask the audience, “Do you think I can walk across this cable and all the way back without falling?” The audience said “Yes, we believe you can do it” – so he did. Then he asked the audience if they thought he could carry his manager on his back – all the way across the falls and back. Again, they said “Yes” and became even more excited. Then he asked the audience, “Do you think I can push this wheelbarrow across the cable and back without falling?” This really got their attention and they roared with excitement – wanting to see this feat! He then said, “Okay now all I need is a volunteer to ride inside the wheelbarrow across the cable!” The audience grew silent – they didn’t trust him that much!”

The analogy was made that many of us are like that with God. We say that we trust him in all things, but we’re not willing to step into the wheelbarrow and let Him carry us. It seems too scary to put that much trust into Him, even though He has promised that He will care for us.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day has passed. Psalms 139:14 – 16.

This verse really touched me. I, of course, know that God is everlasting – but to put into perspective that He knew my life even before the beginning of time – and loved me even knowing the choices I would make throughout my lifetime – some good and some bad. There truly is not another being that deserves trust more than God! He loves me for me and loved me with an everlasting love. Jer 31:3.

I have to admit that I am guilty of stepping into the wheelbarrow and quickly stepping out again! Many times I let fear guide my decisions instead of allowing myself to be led by God. I live a good life and I strive every day to live my life in a way that is pleasing to God – but I really struggle with giving up what I think is my control over my life! The truth is - He is in control and the struggle I put forth over letting go creates much more turmoil and stress in my life!

I have been going through some very difficult things in the past few weeks and this retreat came at exactly the time I needed it most! Imagine that! God putting things in place at exactly the right time!

I have been struggling with some life-changing decisions and was most likely headed in the wrong direction. My eyes have definitely been opened and I know that I have to trust in the Lord, my heavenly Father, and make my choices accordingly.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. I John 3:1.

Cheryl encouraged us to keep a faithfulness journal. In this journal, she suggested we write whatever is on our hearts and to pray about it. She also said to write in the journal when God answers our prayer. It's easy for us to forget sometimes, that God is faithful - He hears our prayers and He answers them.

When we are in the depths of confusion, depression, anger, hurt or whatever we struggle with and feel like everyone, including God has deserted us, to be able to open our journal and read of all the evidence and experience of God’s faithfulness, it will become easier to trust Him in everything! The more we read and recall past experiences and the evidence of His faithfulness in those times, the more trust we can put in God and begin to know Him as He really is - thereby leading us to be more like Him!

One of the highlights of the weekend turned out to be a fun one! There were six mother-daughter couples there and so it was decided that a game would be played in our honor. It was played like the Newlywed Game in which first, one was asked a question and the other had to guess what they thought that person would say. Then the other one was asked a question and so on. The team with the most matching answers won prizes. Well, guess who won? That’s right – Elizabeth and I matched more answers than the other couples. That was a lot of fun! Elizabeth and I are so much alike – it seemed easy for me to figure out how she would answer. Evidently, she didn’t find it as easy to figure out my answers but obviously, she did better than she thought she had done!

This weekend was truly one of the most touching and eye-opening experiences I’ve had and I will remember it always!

In His Love and Blessings
annb