Swarm

One Saturday morning when my husband was playing golf, I, seeking adventure, decided to make my way to my daughter Jamie's house by bike. It was about a 30 minute ride, a cool breeze was in the air and a little exercise was always a good thing. I considered calling first to make sure they were home, but thought no, it will land as it may. So I gathered my water bottle, my lipstick (gotta have that), my phone, a couple of dollars and was off. I mention this lipstick stuff as a reminder that I am no jock, and the way I figure it, if you are going to be hot and sweaty, might as well dress it up a bit, also it serves as a great chap stick.

I hadn't ridden about three blocks when I was bombarded by a swarm of gnats. They came in droves, and landed all over my face and were stuck to my lips (lipstick is a great adhesive). Yuck, I needed windshield protection, but carried on. Truly it could not have been six more blocks down the path and again I drove right into another. At first I considered turning back but my course was set so I trudged ahead. There would be one last swarm before I made it to Voss. This had to be the last, for I was now changing streets and directions, and sure enough it was at least for now.

Jamie and her family were home, they had just gotten back from a family Costco run and were outside unpacking the car. What a joy to see their faces but especially Sam (1 1/2) who on his riding toy. You could tell he was thinking where did she come from? And he started running the minute the driveway gate opened to greet me. I got my hugs, even though I was a bit hot, but big Blake, my son in law on further inspection, said what is all over your face. I had forgotten about it by then...he said whatever it is is all over your mouth too. I told him about the swarms and what a nuisance they were but then when I changed directions, they were gone.

It was an outdoor visit that was to only last a short time but of all days, the rains came. We sat on the back porch and watched it, and comforted Sam when the thunder came, (he hasn't heard much of that). Big Blake went about unpacking and unloading, and Jamie and I sat with the boys, Blake and Sam as they ate their sandwiches outside under the porch while watching the rain. Finally when it settled down to a peppering mist and I headed home, much to the dismay of Jamie. She wanted to give me a ride.

It was an adventure, but just as any adventure, it came with unexpected obstacles. And when that happens, which it does to all of us, we have to decide to jump the hurdles, go around them, go through them or quit. We are swarmed by worldly distractions that seem to lurk on our path of Godly behavior, and try to deter us from advancing forward to our goal. We have choices, do we acquiesce or do we continue on. God has given us the tools to equip us to handle any swarming circumstance that jumps us. But we have to rely on Him to give us the courage, the tenacity and the perseverance to stay on track in spite of the distractions, be they little or grand as they may.

It isn't easy, when we are peppered in the face with swarms of unexpected distractions, but we have to know that when we set out, those distractions are lurking. They will come at us in all different forms, at all different times, and we are not all knowing and they will surely catch us off guard and taint the beauty of the ride for a while, but if we just maintain balance, and trust God and keep on trucking forward, he will send us in a new direction and help to guide our path to His intended goal.

I thought, with the rain, that the gnats would surely be gone by the time I rode back, but sure enough I was bombarded again. As it is in life, you think once you get through one difficult situation, you are going to be able to ride free for a while only to realize that the gnats are back. But the way I figured it is, I got them once I can do it again, and this time I have a better understand of what is to come. Once we trust God and see how his faithfulness continues at our every turn, we are more comfortable to accept the challenges and obstacles that are before us. With every little victory through adversity, Christ strengthens our faith in HIm. And blessed are we who come to depend on His power and seek His ways.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Dear Lord, When we are hit in the face by unexpected swarms of discomfort, trials and adversity, help us to remember to rest in the confidence that you will see us through. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!