Skip to main content

Hemmed In

             You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)

Over the summer, I concluded that God was telling me to sell my place in Florida and return to Erie year-round. Before I left for Florida in the fall with this purpose in mind, I said that if this was really God’s will (and not just His will), I would be home before the end of October. Had I been thinking more clearly—and had I not decided to go visit my sister—I would have been.

In a sense, I think God was hemming me in behind. Since I came home, little things seem to be in the way of moving forward the way I’d like. Most of them have been little. Friday, it started snowing, and honestly, I wasn’t as prepared as I would have been. Understand this. I’m coping. I have food, water, heat, and electricity. I don’t have a functional snowblower, a cooperative body with the strength I want it to have, and the “permission” to drive anywhere. That also means I can’t call someone to come fix my snowblower. In other words, I’m hemmed in before. I suspect the “you lay your hand upon me” is also a form of restraint.

People have asked me whether – given 27oF and more than 22 inches of snow on Friday plus threats of as much as four more feet by Tuesday – I wish I hadn’t sold my place in Florida. I don’t regret selling it. I wish things here were different from the way they are, but Florida isn’t the answer. What I want is wisdom, direction, and attitude. In my mind, direction doesn’t include “Sit. Stay.”



I find that I am like my dog. She has been going outside and looking at the snow, which you’ll note in the picture is so high on the fence that if she could walk on the snow, she could just step over the fence and be free. I’m looking for a way to escape the fence God has put around me. Fortunately for me, the snow doesn’t hold her weight yet. I don’t see any escape route that tempts me. I suppose I’m not quite as foolish as Grace. I recognize that anywhere I considered a haven from the challenges here would only be replaced by the challenges of where I run.

 But if escape isn’t the answer when God hems one in, what is? The place to begin is with God. Prayerfully seek answers. Have you done something wrong? Is something wrong? Listen to what He tells you. And do you hear the theme music swelling in the background? Because another answer is to “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are, now.” A third answer is, “Not my will, but thine…” 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more