The hot metal clangs against the side of the dock as we tie off the boat, making sure it’ll stay put. The family goes back to the lake house to wash up and wind down, because as much as being in the water is relaxing—it’s draining, being in the sun for hours.
Everyone goes back. Everyone that is—except for myself. With a nod from my husband that he’s got the kids, I alone remain. I stretch out atop the half-dampened towel and let the water droplets run down my skin until they kiss the blue fibers.
In the moment I am no where else. Just me and God, birds, a few bugs. The swaying of the trees in the wind plays like a soft melody in the background. I pull my journal and pen from their safe place and begin to write about the current experience of rest and how thankful I am to receive it.
You see, trusting God with our lives has been quite the adventure. When my husband’s time serving God and country with Marine Corps was up, we thought he would find a job easily since he was Military Police. Nope. It didn’t happen.
Instead, jobs were scarce and those he found didn’t seem interested. When he finally found a fitting one, he didn’t have it for long—a circumstance out of his hands causing us to question everything.
And this went on for 10 years. Yes, I said 10 years.
There were times we experienced tremendous pain and loneliness. On this rugged adventure of life, I know God has been there, even when it was less than lovely. Especially when it was less than lovely.
Even through the continuous job loss, the lack of family, the lack of church family in our lives as we wandered aimlessly, struggling to stay afloat—God refused to walk away. To give up on us.
He kept us alive and together. He fed our mouths and he placed a roof over our heads, although it didn’t always look how we wanted it to. Through a time of homelessness, depression and lack of life purpose – he was building our faith. He was showing us that no matter how low we found ourselves, he remained a steady Father and trustworthy protector.
For my family, our faith hasn’t gotten to where it is without hardship. Through our adventures, we learn over and over again to keep handing our days over to God. To let him lead because he’s always there – holding us and walking with us. He’s never forgotten us. And, he’s never forgotten you.
By Kelly R. Baker; Live Yielded, Thriving in Christ
“Seven Last Words” is our Lenten theme and they are the sayings of Jesus from the cross as recorded in the Gospel narratives. This week’s word is, “Forsaken” focusing on Matthew 27:46: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus – the one who so closely communed with God that people knew God through him, felt God’s love and grace and healing just by being near him – cries out here in pain. He knows God is always with him, but he can’t feel that in this moment. He knows God loves him and yet this struggle makes him feel alone, makes him feel like God isn’t paying attention.
Can you think of a time you’ve known God’s nearness? Can you also think of a time you’ve felt God to be far away?
Join us in worship on Wednesday at noon or 6:30 pm (or watch our livestream on Facebook at noon) when one of our members shares a reflection based on the last word, “forsaken.”
