Footsteps
This an area to share moments in our life in which we realize the significance of God. These are our daily footsteps.

God was right there!

Daniel 3:14-25. This is the story of the fiery furnace we all learn as children. I have cards with scripture verses on them I keep at the kitchen sink on the window sill. The card presently there is Dan.3:17-18. When I put it up there it was just one of the cards. I kind of laughed inside thinking it was one of the children's stories but pertinent because Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said they would not worship Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. A good lesson I thought.

Well, we had a ladies day at church this past Saturday with a tremendous speaker. She had scripture after scripture and something pertaining to each. Then she had Daniel 3:16-18 and I thought what a 'coincidence' the scripture on my window sill!! Then she went on and it hit me like, literally, a ton of bricks. Dan.3:17-18 then 3:24 and 25.

GOD did NOT forsake them. Jesus was in their midst in the furnace and I KNEW right then He would be with ME through this. I already knew it, that Jesus would be with me, but this was....I can't explain it. I just sobbed and sobbed. This scripture that is a children's story was for me, right now. Having that card on my sink window sill was no coincidence. It was God letting me know, He's here and with me.

LEAP OF FAITH

A leap of faith, so easily the words flow from my mouth and yet the very depth of these words frightens me to the core. To leap; that part I find no qualms with. I can leap. Show me where to go and I will jump. Show me the glorious road and I will follow but the faith part is the remainder to the whole equation. To leap, when I know not where I am going. To jump into nothingness, to have faith, that takes all your being.

I know logically that I now wonder in the darkness and yet I feel comfort in my ways. I will move no mountain or cross ANY great rivers. I feel ‘happiness’ in my conformability. Not genuine happiness but a wonderful illusion of the ‘known’ world. I pretend as though I walk in the light, that is why the thought of leaping into the unknown frightens me. I know that I gain nothing wondering in this darkness away from God and yet I fear having the greatness of the Lord in my every step. I must be insane to fight the goodness of His hands away and yet I know that is what I do every day by not taking the leap that He longs for me to do.

I need help to jump into the Lord’s arms and be freed from the fear of the unknown. I need His love surrounding my every move so that my heart knows and not just my mind, that He is the key to this life. I NEED my leap of faith
 

God's Justice

Do you ever find yourself watching Judge Judy, People’s Court, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Hatchet, or Judge Mathias? I have watched these shows with my husband. Sometimes when we are watching, we disagree on the outcome. This reminds me that even though my husband and I both want justice, we each have a different opinion on what the outcome should be for each situation.
 

When I realize that we are uniquely different in our reaction, I praise and thank God that He dispenses justice. He is perfect. He sees the beginning and the end. He knows the final plan. He loves everyone and shows no partiality. The greatest advantage God has is dispensing justice is that He knows our hearts.
 

Although I sometimes think I know what God should do, I am grateful that He will always do the right thing. I am thankful that He is the master planner and designer of our lives. If I could create the perfect dispenser of justice, it would be God. God is truly amazing and awesome and although He does not always tell me “why”, I know that nothing is done by accident or chance. I also know that due to His past reputation for forethought and planning He is truly magnificent.
 

HE CARES FOR US

For those of you who know I am an animal lover....

Animals are just that, animals, but there is something so special about them. They are like special friends from God. The unconditional love, protectors and comforters in funny different forms.

Who among us does not like dolphins. We hear stories about how they swim along boats and ships for fun (either theirs or ours), are the only sea animal that can fight off a shark, cute little Flipper. They do tricks that make us laugh. Have been said to protect people in dangerous situations. And sad things like being caught in tuna catching nets. And so on.

Years ago we would see commercials for Sea World, or whatever, advertising 'swim with the dolphins'. It was so cute, these well trained dolphins swimming up to a person then sticking their little snout out and slapping the water to splash you.

Years ago Jack and I visited Hank and Bobbi in the Keys and went to a dolphin show. One of the trainers called on people from the audience to come to the front to show how dolphins are trained. I was one. I think, if I remember right, the idea was to relate a treat to a trick and I didn't catch on. If that wasn't embarrassing.

Anyway, the dolphins were so sweet and came up to the trainers and got a pet and a treat for a trick. I thought wouldn't that be fun to pet a dolphin? Wouldn't it be nice to get in the water with them?

When we went on our cruise to the Bahamas with our friends from England, Ruth and Chris, one of the sight seeing places had 'swim with the dolphins'. I said that was always something I'd love to do, but it was way to expensive. Chris said to just do it but there was no way I would spend such money that way.

I never really thought about it again, unless seeing an advertisement for Disney World or something, that I can remember.

Today, Wednesday, I got a call from Hank and Bobbi. They were on their way to Pensacola to visit Joey and family. After talking about our trip to see them January 14th to the 21st, Hank said he had gotten a call from some very long and dear friends from Colorado. I guess Hank had told them about me and my ALS bosom buddy, and these friends called to say they had a pass for a 'swim with the dolphins' and wanted me to have it. As I understand, they had gotten it for a daughter or niece a year ago but she never came to visit.

Well, I should have jumped for joy, but all I could do was cry. I felt like it was a gift from God. Something that I never prayed for, nor even thought much about but God knew I would enjoy, He so lovingly gave to me out of the clear blue sky.

This is the second time He has used an unusual (by unusual I mean not a dog or cat) animal to remind me Jesus is right beside me through this earthly journey home. A couple of weeks ago I was standing at the kitchen sink and most of you know we have a window right there, too. I was looking out and suddenly this little bird flew right up to the window and touched it's beak to it, directly in front of me. I was momentarily startled but this joy went through me. I said "Thank you, Lord" out loud. It reminded me of the Christian hymn that says "if His eye is on the sparrow then I know He watches me".

The Bible is the only totally secure means to know He will never leave us nor forsake us , but I think too that He sends little things or people our way as just an extra touch of His love. It seems, too, the Christian radio programming I listen to has been written just for me!
Susie