Sunrises and Resolutions

Another new year is upon us. Resolutions have been spoken, and another New Year's Day has gone by where I rebelled against Southern tradition.  Yes, mom. If you're reading this...your little girl forgot to buy collard greens and black-eyed peas AGAIN. To those of you who aren't Southern, or who are just plain unaware, this is a tragedy according to superstitions that date back to the American Civil War.
I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Mom...

On a more positive note, I start this year's first blog post with a New Year's resolution to write at least one blog post a month. This decision comes on the heels of a two-month stint of non-posting. Yes, the Field Trips with God blog was beginning to look like just an empty barren field in the blogosphere. I do apologize to those of you who actually look forward to reading my posts.  Truthfully, the word "resolution" bugs me. Something about it sounds so final...something you can't back out of once you've declared it. Personally, I would much rather call it an "attempted goal." This is because I've noticed we often set huge goals higher than we can attain in the beginning instead of setting smaller realistic goals to accomplish along the way. (This is how I got to the place of not writing, by the way. I wrote weekly blog posts that were so long my husband constituted them as sermons.) When we fall off the wagon, or get burnt out from trying too hard all at once we often get discouraged and quit. We've all heard or experienced it... "I'm going to get out and enjoy the outdoors more this year--NO MORE Prime Time television for me", "I'm going to lose 10 pounds this year because I'm going to exercise EVERY SINGLE DAY", "Only steamed vegetables--NO fried foods for me this year"...The list goes on, and more often than not the end of the year finds us carrying the same 10 pounds, with a remote in one hand, and a KFC bucket in the other. I'm sorry...the truth hurts me, too.

That's because we're always growing to be more like God. While we are growing, we will no doubt fall. However, Proverbs 24:16 reminds us "Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." Every morning the sun reminds us of this verse. For, every morning no matter how late I sleep in,the sun always rises. To take it a step further, I think the very nature of the sun is a representation of the nature of God...always good and constant, always there--to bring light and clarity to a situation, or simply a warming presence. There will certainly be times of trial and darkness in this life, but how encouraging to know that God's sun will rise again to bring light and hope to people. (If that isn't a play on words, I don't know what is...)  What if the darkness is too much? So much that it seems it will never lift? That's when we must keep our attention focused on God, remaining hopeful to see His shining face through the clouds of despair and to rest in the warmth of His presence. Some may ask, "How do I rest during those times of trial?" The best answer I have to offer is "Rest assured." Even though we can't always feel it in a dark moment, rest assured He is there...like a light at the end if the tunnel, or a beacon in a stormy night. If we ignore the negative circumstances swarming around us and focus intently on His promises to us, we will surely see the light of His goodness. Did you know there is a place called Barrow, Alaska where the sun doesn't rise for two months in the winter? As we speak, the next sunrise for this northern city is in nine days. Do you know how hopeful those inhabitants must be becoming? I imagine people watching for the sun expectantly...perhaps another good picture of how we should anticipate God even when things look bleak.  To be sure, God always shows up at the appointed time, and if we keep our eyes fixed toward Him we will not be disappointed.  For "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."  (Psalm 30:5)

We should remember this display of God's faithfulness when we struggle with resolutions made throughout the new year. If you find yourself falling away from your goals, don't fret. Forgive yourself and simply focus on the strength of God and His son. With His help, you will surely rise again.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat." 
(Psalm 19:1-6)



Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” – Hosea 6:3

A Lesson from the Pumpkin Patch

It's no secret my favorite season is Fall.  I love the slightly cooler weather, the changing colors of the trees, the decorations, and of course the smells which depict the season.  Even now, the smell from crunching fallen leaves in the woods can bring back memories of jumping in leaf piles as a little girl.  By far one of my favorite smells of the season is that of pumpkin.  Every Fall, my usually frugal self rushes to Yankee Candle to purchase the best pumpkin spice fragrance in all of creation... I admit I'm a bit biased. If it's a really good day, I make a Starbucks run just to order their famous Pumpkin Spice Latte.  With my new fall candle in one hand and the best seasonal coffee drink in the other, I can believe for a moment that the whole world is right.

This Fall, God nudged me to study pumpkins further.  No doubt, there was something to learn about Fall's famous fruit.  After researching a bit, I found that the main thing that God wanted to show me was that pumpkins are nourished by the vines which they are attached.  So, it seems the pumpkin is a perfect picture of the first few verses of John 15.  “Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you.  Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.  I am the Vine; you are the branches.  Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit.  However, apart from me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:4-5)  Just as the pumpkin gets its nourishment from its vine, we must get our nourishment from God, through the power given by the Holy Spirit which comes from believing in Christ Jesus.

The scriptures in John 15 had special meaning for me this week, as I have recently interacted with more rude people than I care to count.  Realizing that I can not love on my own but must draw nourishment from the “holy vine” is definitely a requirement when dealing with non-loveable people.  If we can remember where we draw our nourishment from in difficult times, surely we will grow to our fullest potential and produce much fruit. When we bear much fruit, Jesus says God is honored and glorified.  Not only that, but we show ourselves to be true followers of Jesus. (John 15:8)  As a Christian, isn't that the point?

Ponies and the Presence of God

CC image courtesy of david.nikonvscanon on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonvscanon/1279006914/

~  Sitting on the bow of the pontoon boat looking into the face of the wind,  my anticipation grew.  My husband, Jeremy and I had boarded Daisey's Dockside Nature Cruises earlier that morning holding the promise of a brochure,  which boasted some of the greatest opportunities for viewing island wildlife.  The journey was to be the highlight of our trip to Chincoteague Island,  Virginia.  Made famous by its wild ponies depicted in the children's book,  Misty of Chincoteague,  the island was a welcome retreat for travelers who just wanted to escape the daily grind.  Filling my lungs with the Chesapeake Bay air,  I could see why.  For myself,  being so close to the ocean brought childhood memories flooding to the present.  Memories of visiting my grandmother when she lived by the sea both refreshed and nurtured my soul.  The intrigue of the island ponies only further excited the little girl living inside of me.

“Woof! Woof!” Bailey barked,  running up to the bow.  His owner, Captain Tom had trained the little dog to scout dolphins,  much to our amusement at the beginning of the trip.  However,  while barking had attracted the curiosity of dolphins,  silence was needed as we scoured the island for wild ponies.  Captain Tom shushed Bailey before informing us that the ponies were being allusive that morning.  “They're usually in three places,” he explained.  My heart sank a little as our guide further informed us that we had already visited two of the animals' grazing spots.

Now as I sat at the front of the pontoon boat,  my eyes scanning the horizon,  I let my heart gain hope again.  Nearing land,  Captain Tom suddenly cut the boat's engine.  As the boat glided to a halt,  everyone stood up to see the main attraction they had paid to see that day.  Handing me his binoculars,  Jeremy smiled and pointed.  Being a bit uncoordinated with the device,  I stared up into the sky and down into the marshy land before pointing it in the right direction.  Finally finding my target,  I was delighted to observe two ponies through the lens—one tan and white,  the other a dark chocolate.  Nearby,  a bush rustled and the head of a blond pony peaked though the foliage.  A few seconds later,  it moved to reveal the rest of its beauty.  All the while,  the small horses' manes whipped wildly in the wind,  and I was left to wonder in awe at these mysterious inhabitants on a peaceful island.  The brochures were right—the sight was breathtaking.

As Captain Tom slowly started the engine,  I sat down with the satisfaction of knowing I had just witnessed a very special part of God's creation.  With that knowledge,  I knew God also had a message to teach me.  A few days after my trip it soon struck me that sometimes we look and look for God,  while it doesn't always seem like He is there.  I have experienced such seasons of life,  in which God seems too far away. Sometimes,  I become so caught up in my circumstances that I no longer see Him or feel His presence.  In those moments,  I believe we must remember to not lose hope.  You may have heard the motto,  “Don't get your hopes up.”  If you're like me,  you may have lived that motto.  I did so to protect my heart.  That way,  I would never be disappointed if someone didn't come through for me,  or if something I wanted didn't come to pass.  While many of us may still use this defensive thought process to prevent ourselves from uncomfortable heartache,  I think it is important that we remember not to apply it to God.  On the contrary,  we must always continue to get our hopes up when it comes to God.  For,  while things may still happen that we do not understand,  one thing is certain--God's nature always has and always will remain constant and good.  (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 34:8)  While we may feel like His absence surrounds us in a moment,  we can not allow ourselves to forget that He is always with us.  (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)  Sometimes we only need to refocus our spiritual binoculars to see Him.  ~

Bailey the First Mate helping us look for ponies

"Misty of Chincoteague" statue

Jeremy enjoying the cruise