DROWNING IN SMALL MIRACLES

I stood on the deck of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, looked out into the deep blue Caribbean Sea, and wondered how Peter the disciple ever had the courage to get out of the boat and walk on water.  Of course, this is a big body of water I reminded myself, and Peter was on the small Sea of Galilee. Oh yes, another thing. . .he was walking toward Jesus, his eyes focused on Him alone.  Suddenly Peter went from 'walking by faith' to sinking. What happened?  He looked around at the reality of his situation and saw the wind whipping up the water. A storm was coming and he began to panic. He might drown! All that changed was he took his eyes off Jesus! I can relate to that. You can find this story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14: 22 - 33.  Just in case you don't know the end of the story. . .let me assure you, the Lord came to Peter's rescue, reached out His hand and saved him.

'By faith', my husband put together a family cruise for eight of us.  We would board the ship in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Three of us came from the San Diego area, one from Denver, two from New York City, and two from North Carolina.  When we all stepped onto the ship, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place, I thanked the Lord for orchestrating, what appeared to me, a miraculous event!  There were so many details to keep track of for all of us, airplane reservations, hotel, car rental, dog kennel, etc. When I took my eyes off Jesus - combing my mind for what I may have missed, or thinking of what could go wrong, I began to drown in lack of self-confidence.  And then, like Peter, the Lord would grab me and I would again feel safe and know He was in control and all would work out "in conformity with the purpose of his will", Ephesians 1:11.

I must admit, I'm a strong-willed independent type of person, so 'being free' to make my own decisions, good or bad, is appealing.  When I get too far out of line, the Lord reminds me that "He knows how we are formed, and he remembers that we are dust", Psalms 103:14.  Dust isn't very smart!  And certainly not 'all knowing'.  Yes Lord, I'll be grateful for your compassion - none of this 'free-will' stuff!  He knows me, He knows you.  If our will was free we'd be able to mess up His perfect plan. Not going to happen! Think this through; a Biblical truth that can change your life. . .God is in control, always.

My cousin from Denver broke his ankle shortly before the trip and had to hobble around on crutches - often God's timing isn't to our liking.  Our daughter from New York City was recuperating from shoulder surgery and enjoyed having massages and going to the art auction. Son Steve loved all the food and entertainment.  He even won a few dollars in the casino playing the penny 'slots'.Our grandsons, 18 and 19 years old, had such a good time and met many young people on board, some from Alaska. This age is a pivotal time of life, a great time to be with family, be loved, soak up some wisdom and be encouraged.  It was so good to have our son-in-law helping and taking charge when needed.

I was standing in line one day with others from our cruise and started talking to a couple, mostly the woman.  Her husband was listening and asked me, "Where did you say you were from?"  I told him I was from the San Diego area.  "Did you say your name is Bobbe?"  Turns out he's a pastor and recently begin to think he should write a Bible blog, but first wanted to see what kind of Bible blogs were out there in cyber space.  He probably started alphabetically and came across mine, 'Bobbe's Bible Blog'.  He told me he'd read several of my postings and enjoyed them.  There are only about 2,000 in the whole world who've ever read this blog - what's the chance that I'd be standing next to someone in the Caribbean who did?  Small miracle!

The last day of the cruise, I was relaxing on a chaise lounge in a quiet area of the ship, enjoying a good book.  I was trying to adjust the back of the lounge when it suddenly collapsed on my hand, nearly crushing it.  I was pinned, couldn't reach over to free my hand . . .and it hurt, big time!  It just so happened that a woman walked out of a door close to where I was trapped, and heard my call for help.  She was able to free my hand and even got me an ice pack.  Sore and swollen, black and blue, but I could move my fingers and thumb without pain, surely no broken bone. I didn't plan on going to the doctor. But, I just happen to sit next to an orthopedic doctor while waiting to debark the ship.  He saw my hand and said, "Get an x-ray when you get home."  I did, sure enough, I have a broken wrist bone and will be wearing a brace for the next six weeks. God has authority over our 'comings and goings' and He has people in the right spot, at the right time. 

I'm so grateful the Lord is ever watching and providing  small miracles. This is evidence of a God who is personal and loves His children. I hope you notice them in your life.  Look with the eyes of faith, and you'll see them too. 

Before leaving for the trip, we left our little 8 lb. 'Min-Pin' with the breeder who gave him to us.  He died!  He'd be ten years old in July. He wasn't very healthy, had pancreatitis and diabetes.  He never was quite 'normal', didn't have good vision, and didn't have a good sense of smell.  We loved him, he was peppy, enthusiastic about going for a walk or ride in the car and seldom behaved as if he were sick. A brave little guy whose best friend was our granddog Daisy, a 70 lb Pit Bull mix. We miss Tiny; it's hard to loose a pet.  No doubt it was easier on us not to be here when it happened, the Lord knew that to be true.  Do you know that dog is GOD spelled backwards?   Our pets are such a special gift from the Lord.

Thank you Lord for this wonderful time of family and resting in you, (Hebrews 4:10), thank you for miracles, big and small.

FOR WOMEN ONLY

It's usually the little  things that really matter and bring joy into our life.  God knows that!  Just like a loving parent or faithful husband, He delights in showing us that He cares about the small things that put a smile on our face.  God even knows what those things are - better than we do!

We have a new friend sitting in the middle of our round kitchen table. I've named her 'Colette' after a French author.  I thought that was appropriate because she's a French Hen.  We, Colette and I, have a story to tell. Many years ago I was with a friend in Coronado.  We enjoyed a day at the famous Del Coronado Hotel.  This old hotel is a San Diego landmark and has a lot of interesting history connected with it, even stories of ghosts!  It also has a few charming gift shops;  one that specializes in kitchen stuff, the kind we women like, full of fun pretty things we don't need, but enjoy looking at.   

And there she was...this darling little ceramic French Hen.  I instantly loved her and could picture her in my house.  I held her for a minute, then searched for the price tag.  As I remember, it costs about $40, too much to spend on something I didn't need.  I gently set her back on the shelf and said, "I'm sorry, but someone will come along and give you a good home."

A few days ago I went to a local discount store, 'Ross for Less', and while in the kitchen goods area looking for pot holders, there she was, my little French Hen!  She sat on a shelf, her small head cocked and seemed to be saying, "I've been waiting for you!"  I held my breath while I gently held her in my hands and looked for the price tag...$8.99.  She's mine!  I knew the Lord had put her on the shelf knowing I'd be going to that store and would see her. There was only one, and not a chance than anyone else would have bought her before I came along!  God was saving her pour moi. 

Being a person of faith, I see this incident as a miracle.  I don't long for many things, but I really wanted that chicken and would never have paid the price if she hadn't appeared in another store for a fraction of the cost.  Great big gigantic miracles don't come into our lives on a regular basis, but small ones do - all the time. We often fail to notice what God has done.  It's His way of saying 'I love you, I'm tuned in to what you desire, I want you to feel my presence.' 

Faith is somewhat like electricity - you can't see it, but you can see the light it produces.  We can't see our Lord and Savior, but we can know and experience His light.  Jesus said, "I am the light of the world", John 8:12.

Very often when I've taught a Bible Study, participated in a workshop or been with the women in jail, I will tell those listening...'You are a kept woman'.  Some eyebrows may be raised.  'Kept woman' can be a negative judgment, but not for those who belong to the Lord.  The word 'kept' in Greek is 'phroureo' which means to be a 'watcher in advance, to mount guard as a sentinel, to 'hem in' and protect'.  These words will be more meaningful to you if you look at these amazing truths from Scripture...

I Peter 1:5 - You are kept by God's power - not your own.

Ephesians 2:14 - You are kept in peace - Jesus is our peace.

I John 3:9 - You are kept from sin - no one born of God will continue to sin because you have been born of God.  (John 3:3) Your flesh will sometimes sin, but God sees the life of His Son, Jesus, in you.    

II Timothy 2:13 - You are kept faithful - if you are faithless, God will remain faithful for He cannot deny Himself.

I Thessalonians 5:23 - 24 - you will be kept blameless at the coming of Jesus Christ, because the One who called you is faithful and He will do it.

Proverbs 16:9 - you'll be kept on the right road.  Man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

I Peter 1:4 - your inheritance is kept safe in heaven and will never perish, spoil or fade.

Jude 24 - you are kept from falling - because Jesus is able to present you to God without fault and with great joy!

Of course these promises are for all who believe, not just women.  So, the next time you get shook up about something, anything, look to the Light, don't stumble around in darkness and know that you are being kept by the power of God.   

I thank you Lord for your light, power and grace in my life.

P.S.  You may enjoy my book 'Blogging Gods Word: Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes', by Roberta Van Hise.  It's on Amazon, Crossbooks - a download E Book is around $6.00.