Chasing the Wind

The last time I blogged was Nov. 18th.  Today is December 1st.  I would have sworn that it had only been a couple of days ago....

However that is my life these days.  Super speed.

I bet yours is too.

The Thanksgiving holiday was a bit of a blur.

We traveled on Wednesday and again on Friday.  We visited both sides of the family.  We enjoyed delicious food, caught up on the happenings of our loved ones, and cheered on our favorite college football teams.

This Thanksgiving holiday a few unexpected events occurred. 

Isn't it strange how life can turn on a dime?

We managed to hit not one but two deer on our way to visit family.

There was no serious damage done.  A head light is knocked out.  The bumper is a bit off kilter.  But the sound of the thud is what lives in my memory...and then the eery quiet afterwards.

Just like that the atmosphere in our vehicle changed. 

The kids were no longer asking, "Are we there yet"?

There was just stunned silence.

A more serious upset interrupted our Thanksgiving festivities when my precious mother in law fell. We had all finished eating the big meal and were about to start a craft that had been her idea. She was so excited.  She had worked hard and been the ideal hostess for her family.

We all waited outside for her to come and join us.  Instead another family member came out and spoke with an urgency and tone that indicated an emergency. 

"She has fallen.  We need some help.  She can't get up."

She dislocated her shoulder. 

Immediately Thanksgiving Day changed for all of us.

The craft never happened.  A visit to the ER took its place.

Things happen.

We are left scratching our heads thinking, "What just happened here?!?"

Here is the bottom line.....God is still good.

He doesn't have to offer the answer.

He just offers Himself.


The day before we left to go out of town I was piled up in our living room watching a movie with my kids.  I don't really recommend the movie (it was cheap and poorly made...the words spoken didn't match the lip movement from the actors).

The story line was interesting enough and pulled us into the story.  Basically you have good v. evil.  A girl is going in search of the Christmas Star.  She has to face impossible odds and believe in unbelievable things to reach it.  In addition to this she is being hunted and chased by her enemy (sounds like the Christian life to me).

At one point in the movie she has to make it to the "North Wind."  When she arrives she can't see a person but a swirling wind blows up all around her and begins to speak.  The wind tells her to jump into it.  She is terrified of course.  Why would anyone jump into air and think that it would hold you up much less take you somewhere.

The voice in the wind begins to sound annoyed and frustrated.  I think it even says to her, "C'mon jump into me.  I don't have time for this.  Jump!"

She did jump.  And the wind held her and carried her to her destination.

God encouraged me through this scene in this horribly ridiculous movie.

He speaks to us in the same fashion sometimes.

Faith is jumping into the wind and trusting that it will uphold you and carry you on.  It feels ridiculous and scary but when you ride on its wings it feels like the most natural and normal thing in the world.

Change happens.

Deer run out into the road.

Loved ones fall and get hurt.

God is constant through it all.

He might allow the journey to be hard.  He might allow the enemy to breathe down our necks.  He might take safe options away.  But He will never remove Himself.  He speaks from the winds of change.  He is in it completely....willing to uphold us....and carry us onward to our next destination.