Yard Games

Good Morning!

Did you play “yard” games when you were growing up? You know, like Red Rover and Hide and Seek, Mother May I and 1-2-3 Red Light. In the late 1950’s these were the games we children played just at dusk – before the lightning bugs came out. Grandma Ward’s had a big front yard, just the right size for playing these great games.

Now it has been over fifty years since I played … but if I recall correctly, in Mother, May I, the person playing Mother faced away from the contestants and responded to requests like “May I take three giant steps” or “May I take two tiny baby steps”. When “she” answered in the affirmative, the contestant had to say – “yes, Mother, may I”. Failure to make this pertinent request banished the contestant back to the start line. The object, of course, was to reach “Mother” and tag her.

I was at the eye doctor’s office yesterday morning with Norma. It was a follow up to her surgery to fix her macular hole. It has been about ten months and she still cannot see to read out of the left eye … so we keep on praying for the restoration of sight. Anyway, I was reading the preface to the Book of Timothy in the Max Lucado Bible I have had for years and read the following:

“Watch a small boy follow his dad through the snow. He stretches to step where his dad stepped. Not an easy task. His small legs extend as far as they can so his feet can fall in his father’s prints.

His father, seeing what the son is doing, smiles and begins taking shorter steps, so his son can follow.”

The preface went on to point out that 1st Timothy is about discipleship … following in God’s footsteps. And when one thinks about it, discipleship is really just that – trying to follow God – asking Him “Father, may I”. And I believe God sees our efforts and knows our hearts and take steps just long enough for us to stretch a little – without being so far we become discouraged. As we grow, the footprints of faith are spaced a little farther apart so our faith muscles grow and we become strong.

I know that many of us are going through some difficult times … times that test our faith in Christ. The key is to remember the small steps you once took so you won’t be afraid to take the larger steps today. Paul tells us:

Romans 1:16-17 (New International Version © 2010)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[b]
Footnotes:
a. Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith
b. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4

Today God may be asking you “take three giant steps” … and you are thinking, can I … and asking “Father, may I” and hearing Him say … “yes, you may”. Don’t worry – if He is asking for you to take a giant step, He has made it just far enough to stretch your faith.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

New Prayer Need:

I got a text message from DT that said his art teacher, Mrs. Moerman, was in a pretty bad car wreck yesterday. She was not at school yesterday, so I don't know when this happened or any of the details, but his text indicated it as "pretty bad". So let's add the family of Angela (?) Moerman to our list since we don't know who was involved.
Love you!
anna

Shared Praises:

Happy Anniversary to Mike and Katie Radcliff … yesterday. 14 years.