This past Saturday, our family kicked off the fall season by attending a USAFA football game. And in spite of the fact it felt like we were sitting on the surface of the sun {90 degrees at 7,000 feet, y’all}, a good time was had by all.
Before kickoff, we strain our necks and squint our eyes into the sapphire sky to catch a first glimpse of the Wings of Blue parachuting team. Soon they faithfully appear, little hopeful dots high in the heavens.
The point at which the parachuters jump from the plane depends on the direction of the wind. But no matter where they are released – how far to the east or west of the stadium – they always find their way to the middle of the field, landing neatly on the 50 yard line.
I don’t know if they ever get nervous about landing where they’re supposed to – maybe so. Either way, they jump with abandon, trusting in their training to take them to a safe, accurate landing.
After the game, I succomb to another fall staple: a pumpkin spice chai latte. Sipping the creamy goodness, I think about the words our family’s been reading in Genesis, about the early call of Abraham:
The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” ~ Genesis 12:1
Go to a land I will show you. God asked Abraham to go before He filled in all the answers.
Sometimes doing this feels akin to jumping out of a plane. I think to myself But I don’t know where I’m going to land! What if something goes wrong? And I can’t always trust in my training because hello! I have no training in this area.
So when I find myself in a brand new season, I don’t jump. I hold on sweaty palmed and white knuckled to the way things are.
If you are standing at the edge of your own plane afraid to jump, it’s okay to admit you’re scared. Admit you’re scared but permit the truth of God’s goodness to stay, not the fear.
Abraham didn’t know where God was taking him. He just knew Who called Him to go, and this was enough for him to move forward in obedience. Just like Abraham, you and I can trust in God’s believability and His history of faithful promises fulfilled. When we step forward – or jump! – in obedience, He will show us where to go and where to land: safely in the middle of His will.
Do you find yourself in a new season today? Is it easy or difficult to embrace? Tell me about it here.
“Admit you’re scared but permit the truth of God’s goodness to stay, not the fear.” Thank you, Kristin for this today!! I’m preparing for a season I know you will understand…a season of being begin apart from my husband as he will soon go on his first deployment. A first deployment for my family. He is currently away doing training and my emotions have been all over the place. I’m grateful for these reminders that it’s okay to feel what I’m feeling. I’m grateful that God is near always giving me the comfort I need. Much love to you. Thank you for your beautiful heart.
Beth, you are pure joy.
And you and your husband are knee-deep in my prayers. So much love to you.
Kristen,
Like Beth, that line “permit the truth of God’s goodness to stay, not the fear”, also really resonated with me. Ultimately, for perfect Love to cast out fear, we need to believe and trust in God’s goodness. Thanks for refueling my courage tank! As always I love stopping by for your insights and refreshment!
Love and hugs,
Bev
YES BRAVE INJURED AND BOLD I JUMPED INTO VOLUNTEER in an island heritage garden home property that has tourists and vistors come from all ages and places to view this place by the sea in partnership with the VIUniversity. That was once owned by a businessman and his wife housing guests a dignitaries and even royals.amongst huge rhododendrums like 10 ft trees and woodland paths that take tourists and children to gardens.I know little or nothing of gardening here and have to drive an hour distance by the coast to get there.Ahh but that too will be great bcuz I can stop by the beach to soak the sun and water with my dog as I see the season change of the direction of the sun’s western glow exciting my senses or creativety.The raison d”etre was my thought was if am living here in this gorgeous scenery of BC island communities (myself not in best of physical shape) and going to give my time or work in some way to benefit others with growth for myself.Finding now and more away from the city noise i did not realize existed here in cars now near me bothering me. I was use to a quieter a smaller community b4 with waterfalls church bells and chatter of families children playing. I know we are to give back and thankful for our blessings fully consious as Christians and this I am willing to do in my giftings with purpose a crsatively BUT GOD….It might as well be more to the lifestyle here enjoying outside woodlands by the water than stuck inside retail or just a stuffy indoor classroom work to be working joyfully with select others in hopes of making my community of friends here.
When NEW I know people tend to categorize and put you into groups they judge and they decide as I experienced with one for New people that made it inaccessable and alienating me or surely others. For a public program for newcomers group of people called something else that escapes me every community here has??? Yet this public group that behaved private as a club was unthinkable and they made no apologies or changes but to further keep me shut in than accomodate my need to and for social being new.This is what you have to be aware of in public life and public activities you cannot discriminate people even though you receive funds especially Or as they are making more libreral in MJ and medically.But we have to draw the line somewhere as Jesus did and sometimes personally or publically these are not easy decisions but gray eh? I think to Luke 12 where 1000 gathered were trampled and there scripture says to judge to be just.
God has perfected us still we say as I do forgive them as…….
I mean I am not perfect or guilty as a parent to judge for the JUST safety love protection of my kids my family and friends in what I would hope for myself in covering.Even now as they are grown and older we care but more releasing trusting by His spirit.
As for me jumping in unknown to move here and now back to volunteer work. Artists call it “plien aire.” Making art outside well my creation is to work with others learning this outside island life in hopefully safe trusting environment. Just maybe able to retreat indoors for cozy comfort fire and tea especially for me new with making some fellowship in a beautiful BC type setting for people to meet me where I am at while contributing my time. Than always putting out more and more money I do not have or would like for myself too. Or cooped inside stagnant. THEN on my own left alone to see alienated bcuz of walking slow to at least enjoy this fresh air scenery near me.And if I happen to make a friend or two that would be a bonus and benefit to me too in some way. As volunteers need those perks and I am paying the gas. Besides it is the closest I can get to remembering capturing the family lakeside cottage retreat my body and memories miss dearly in scents barefoot walks to the shore to embrace nature scents sun and air. My heart prayers are with you gals and married with hubbies away long stretches in dangerous work with few or little benefits or consolation to embrace God with each other..I pray though you cling to God together embrace your children daily that there is fellowship. My hubby often travelled for large American firm Pratt Whitney but downsized and left my husband to eventually make other choices I never dreamed he would decide impacting us sadly not of my choice.Since then I have been rebuilding along with my church I made my family hence have left physically.And now relocated myself here to settle again reuniting my real blood offspring together at least once a month to come for meals or drop by.While I recover injuries and settling in my detached home again after 15 yrs. All my life my friends became my family my neighbours my guardians and God my anchor.My church my extended family I had hoped and hoped cared beyond childhood years thick and thin.But found that was not so really: though I worked on mainraining relationships as now 1500 miles away. Nanoose Bay here on Vancouver Island apparently has an American Naval secret base. I know they have an open houe this week of September. But I wonder then “how can it be secret?” if we all know about it here and if it was publically published to visit eh? God bless;)
That is the verse I claim as a military spouse. We don’t know what the future holds wherever God plants us, but we always know He is leading the way.
Me too, Vicki. It deeply speaks to me as a military wife…or during any period when I’m going through change.