During a
vacation week I took in August I spent an afternoon tearing apart a treehouse I
had built with Connor many years ago. It had fallen into disuse. Much of the
wood had rotted. I was concerned that it might be a temptation to kids in the
area who might “help themselves” to checking it out. Some of the pieces came
off easily. Others, where large spikes or bolts were used, were much more
stubborn. The treehouse was quite high so I had to be very careful each time a
board came off. I didn’t feel like going down with it. But all went well, and
some of the wood has already served to be useful in campfires. That’s about all
it is worth right now.
When I
finished, I thought the tree looked good without the manmade stuff attached to
it, and it felt good to get that job out of the way. One feeling that I did not
expect to be so strong was a certain kind of sadness. My son is not a little
boy any more. We don’t share things in life in the same way we did when he was
young. As he moves now in his life toward being nudged out of the “nest”, I can
feel a wave of the passing of time. These “waves” aren’t something that I feel
constantly. But from time to time one hits strongly and something in your
family or life shifts. You feel that wave bump up against you and you realize
just how different things have become. It is one of those things that comes
with the days and years moving along.
I
remember going to Popham Beach with my mom when I was a kid. Those were great
times. When I stepped in the ocean the first time I was picked up and turned
upside-down by a wave. Water got into my mouth and nose and I started to
sputter and cough. I couldn’t believe how salty it tasted. I learned quickly
that when the waves came I needed to set and secure my feet and legs on the
bottom underneath me and stand firm so that the wave would not topple me. I
learned that I had to watch out for sand moving under my feet.
When a
wave of the passing of time hits me it can be emotional, but I do not have to
topple. Since I am planted in Christ, I know and expect that waves of time or
any other kind may come, and may even be large and have quite a lot of power.
But I also know if I am planted firmly in Christ the wave will break on me or
near me, and then fall away. But it will not move me. I can do all things
through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). The words of Edward
Mote comfort me:
My
hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I
dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On
Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground
is sinking sand.
When
darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In
every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
On
Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other
ground is sinking sand.
His
oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood;
When
all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
On
Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other
ground is sinking sand.
Whatever
wave may be heading your way, know that in Christ you are secure. AMEN!
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these
words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his
house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams
rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall,
because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But
everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is
like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The
rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell with a great crash."
Psalm 18:2 (NIV) The LORD
is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take
refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
PRAYER: Father, help me not to fear any wave of
adversity, emotion or trouble. But rather, let me trust you fully to hold me
secure in the hand of your protection. Thank you for both the strength and
gentleness of your grip. In Jesus’ name,
AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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