New Experience

It was Tuesday and I knew she didn't have school so I ran by my daughters' house late morning and grabbed my two year old Catherine to run a couple of errands with me. I took her with me to the nail place to get a polish change and let her go through the same routine that any customer would do. Pick out a color....wait her turn....sit in her chair...go through the process...wondering is there was any way she could be still enough for this to be successful. I had done this once before and there was a flicker of hope...she sat on the chair beside me and watched as I has a polish change first...asking questions at every interval. When the bowl came out with the water and the brush...she wanted to know if it hurt...when the top coat was applied she wanted to see...when the tiny counter fan was turned on she wanted to know why...for she knew that soon she would be in the customer chair and all of these things would happen to her...and she wanted, I guess, to be ready, and prepared.

New experiences can be daunting and scary if we are not ready and prepared to deal with them. But there is something somewhat soothing about watching as someone goes before us, in a similar experience. And an even greater help if we are able to talk to them as they are walking through it....or after they have completed it. It takes an edge off...it doesn't dissolve the actual enactment but it does often times it take the edge off of the anxiety....and gives us a hope and a security through the shared words of encouragement. For those that have gone before us have made it through...and though their story will differ in emotions and result....it is a reminder that we are all connected in one way or another.
Romans 12:4-6 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Too many times we think we are the only ones who are tackling a certain situation when in reality....I submit that there is nothing new in situations. There might be different degrees, different angles, different people involved, different solutions but whatever we are dealing with is not a "first" on earth. And all through the history of life...there has been one who is constant...God! And just so we would know that someone really does understand our trials and adversities first hand, he sent his son Jesus to LIVE among his people. Christ sees all, knows all, and controls all....and is there to forge forth in front of what is to come our way and guide us through it. But we have to seek his hand, his way and his wisdom to gather up that hope, encouragement and motivation to persevere. And when we do...and as we do.. he will and does strengthen our character, build our trust, and give us the perseverance and motivation to carry on His way...with His tools.
And...you know the rest of the story!

Catherine was:
1) still....she was focused in the process
2) watchful ...she was observant of every aspect
3) patient....she waited for her turn
4) curious...she asked questions that were relevant to her feelings and anxiousness
5) trusting...she not only trusted me but trusted the precious lady who was helping ...she saw her gentleness and kindness in action!
5) ready....when it came her time to sit in the chair....she was prepared...and comforted by encouragement
6) thankful ...for opportunity and results

Ok...it was just a polish change but it was a new experience...a fun one this time....but there will be other times that she will have to process the same kind of pattern of thought....even in her little two year old mind..and as the years go it is my prayer that she will allow Christ to help her establish her pattern of resolution with "Him" being her foundation of faith in her every situation....The pattern is simple enough for a child and yet we as adults taint it with complexity....and distractions. Is Christ our foundation of truth and trust and do we stand in faithful commitment that things will work our according to his purposes? Is He the foundation on which all of our thoughts are built? Yikes when you put it that way...my answer is no...I would like for it to be but too many times I am dependent on my own thoughts and feelings and act accordingly....that would be in fear, pride, discontent and anxiousness. Not good responses!

To know Christ and to seek his will...we have to follow the same basis agenda of thought as Catherine did but with one exception...we are old enough and been taught enough that .....no matter what the circumstance or situation is that is before us....God is in control....and we have to accept that in faith. That is a conscious decision that we as adults have the free will do do or not to do. The basis question that goes hand in hand with the basic agenda of thought is: Do I really trust Christ? I can be still and watch, and question and be patient and wait....but that trust factor is essential as a foundation for success in any experience....be it in relationships, in health, in habits, in choices...etc. There is not much strength in solo advancement...success is a result of a team effort ...me and God. And as long as I have Christ on my team...I am going to win in all situations....it may not look like winning to the outsiders looking in....but the peace and joy that abides within my heart and mind from the grace and love of Christ will always be enough to help me continue to gain His momentum in my life.

We are all connected as creatures by one creator. And there are times when we will be on the receiving end of a situation and times when we will be on the giving end of a situation. By that I mean there are times that we will need encouragement from others who have been down a path that we are just beginning and there are times when we will be called to be encouraging to others when they are just beginning their journey down a unknown path of trial or adversity or new experience. But we must remember that the vital part of encouraging ...is to be reminded that it all comes back to Christ...the love he has for us and that same love we are to pass on to others through our gentleness, kindness....and desire to be understanding.....whatever the situation is.
2 Corinthians 1:3-24 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Dear Lord, Each day we are presented with new experiences....and opportunities. Some are pleasant and we approach with an attitude of joy...while others are unknown and have a potential to bring about fear and anxiety.Help us to faithfully trust you in all situations and be prepared with a foundation of your loving grace and strength and mercy on which to draw. For it is your foundation that gives us the security of knowing that you will never leave us and will give us the tools to forge forward in anything that comes our way. Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever sitauation he has allowed you to be in...for his glory will shine through.