We’ve Only Just Begun to Live
That was one of our favorite songs (released in 1970) by The Carpenters. The characters in the song were a just-married couple looking forward to new horizons, new roads to choose, and so much life ahead of them. We sang that song completely unaware of what lie ahead, but naïve and child-like as we were, we just knew as long as we were together, side by side, we’d make it through each and every bump in the road that we might encounter. Seems like unrealistic thinking, but it is the only way to live – believing and always hoping for the best, but just in case the worst might come, we’d be able to handle it together. And, oh, my – the bumps did come – far beyond what two kids could ever dream, but we did handle it together – that is – together with God where we placed our hope and trust — the ONE Who had already prepared the way for us.
We’re well into our second week of this new year and this start certainly gives us those feelings — a certain excitement about the possibilities that are out there for us. We may reflect on the past, but no longer do we dwell there, because we certainly can’t change the past. Looking through the rearview mirror is no option. I said in a blog last week that starting the year with a clean slate and a clean calendar gives us great hope for this new year. But, the best news is – come what may – we can start a clean slate every day. Or if we make a mistake in this minute, we can start a clean slate with asking God for forgiveness and cleaning up our mess right now! Whew! How good to know! Good thing I keep plenty of clean slates on hand!
Already, just ten days in – I’ve been receiving requests for prayer from a friend’s mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday. Another request was to pray for a friend whose cancer had returned. Another request was a friend’s baby who was admitted to the hospital with breathing issues and is still there – four days later. Life happened. Bumps in the road happened. It is still the same story for each of them and each of us. We can handle this because – IN GOD we trust!
We came upon those bumps in the road, too, when we rushed our own baby boy to the hospital when he started turning blue in my arms. That was truly our first major bump in the road. I was pregnant with our daughter and had to walk down the hall when they were taking his blood. My young husband was helping them hold our crying-uncontrollably-baby down, but they called me back to help them with my husband who had fainted. Then, and now, so many years later – IN GOD, we learned to trust.
The many chapters of my/our story reveal how God allowed us to go through some of the best of times and the worst of times to “thicken our skin” aka strengthen our walk and talk of faith. God brought us through each and every time. We became anchored in our trust in God and I’m still anchored each day as I seek God with my whole heart. It’s the sure foundation for whatever may come in this day. That’s the fuel to our trust — leaning into the ONE with Whom we can put our trust in — come what may!
Psalm 9:10 “And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”