03.05
Growing up, we spent most Sunday afternoons at my grandparents house in Bushnell, Florida. After church in Leesburg, we’d drive twenty-five minutes and enjoy some of the best southern cooking around. The food was amazing and it always hit the spot, largely because it was a smorgasbord of our favorite dishes. It was heaven! Fried chicken, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, homemade biscuits and my all-time favorite dessert… pecan pie.
The only problem with Sunday lunch was the drive. It was way too long! Okay… it was only twenty-five minutes, but to an eight year old that’s a very loooong time in the back seat of a car. And other than cows, there wasn’t much scenery along the way. But the trip was worth it because the smell of fried chicken filled the air.
Abraham had a VERY long trip in Genesis 22. The only thing that kept him going was hope. Sometimes we call it ‘faith.’ But faith is ‘realistic hope,’ facing the reality of bleak circumstances, but holding out hope that God will provide a ram.
Right now, the journey is especially long for some of you. You may even feel like God is testing you beyond what you can handle, but trust Him. The destination has a way of making the long, tiring trip worth it. While the food at my grandmother’s house was amazing, the love there was even more incredible. Her mashed potatoes were legendary, but her hugs were life-giving.
Anyone have a similar place in your childhood like my grandmother’s? What’s God teaching you?
“Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey” jumped out for me. No anguish, no questions, no turning it over in his mind…Abraham just got up and set out to do the thing he was asked to do. I’m much more likely to bargain or rationalize or side step or the best of all…pretend I can’t hear. I don’t have any insights. I just wish that obedience were second nature to me like it appears to have been for Abraham. Abraham also said that God would provide the sacrifice. He had perfect confidence in God’s promise and plan. Faith and obedience…they seem very elusive at times. I’m definitely getting older, but I don’t see that I’m getting much wiser.
We strive for obedience as Abraham’s, but do we ever achieve such true obedience? I’m 69 years old, a follower of Jesus since the age of 9, and still striving for that obedience! My assurance is His unconditional love as I experienced unconditional love from my parents, Ken’s grandparents.
The childhood memories I recall the most are centered around my maternal grandmother. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas she would put on a spread to feed the extended family; oh to have one more thanksgiving meal with that dear lady. She obviously went all out for the holidays but she could make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich be a delight, mainly because I knew she loved me enough to take the time to make it for me; even as a child I knew this lady loved me without condition. I always looked forward to being at her house.
Now, as an adult I strive to be as consistent and obedient to God as my grandmother lived her life in obedience and consistency. Realizing how much my grandmother influenced me, it’s now humbling and at times shear terrifying to realize how my actions can impact those around me. Knowing that inconsistency in my walk and obedience (or lack of) to God can be a potential stumbling block to someone else is a sobering thought. As Neva stated, my only assurance is knowing that God loves me unconditionally, despite my rebellion, despite my imperfections, despite my failures…..His grace is and has proven to be sufficient.