"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside."
(Job 23:10-11)
I can remember one snowy December when I was around 10 or 11, my Dad took me and my sisters out into the woods to find a Christmas tree. The winter had already had it's fair share of snow and in the woods it was even deeper than near our house. Dad went ahead to break the trail and with each step he would sink into the soft snow up to his knees and sometimes higher. It was hard walking for three little girls. We floundered around, quickly getting worn out, until Dad looked behind himself and saw what we were attempting to do. That's when he told us that we would find the walking easier if we carefully placed our feet into his footprints that he had already made for us. We quickly followed his advice and even made a game of it. What one minute had been exhausting, suddenly became something fun. We were walking exactly where Dad walked and the trip was enjoyable.
Our Christian walk is the same as our walk in the woods: when we follow our Father's footsteps carefully we will stay on the path that He has set out for us. We won't flounder like we would if we were trying to do things our own way. When we turn aside from His ways we will quickly find that we have a harder time of it. We will grow exhausted from the frustration of trying to make things work. When we follow in the Lord's ways He will bless us and protect us and keep us in the palm of His hand. We will be that cherished daughter or son, whom the Father delights in. Just like my Dad did with his children, our Heavenly Father keeps an eye on us to see how we are doing. If we aren't walking in His steps, He'll remind us to get back on the right path because it's what is best for us.
Many times earthly fathers will let us try things on our own to test us, to see how we handle situations, to help us grow. Our Heavenly Father will do the same thing. He will test us and when He does, we will emerge from that testing as pure gold. So don't despair when you are being tested. You will survive the testing and be stronger and purer than you were before.
The lesson that my Dad taught me on that day long ago has stayed with me and I have used it many times afterwards to navigate through rough spots in the woods or snow. I have taught it to my children and to other people. The lessons the Lord teaches us must be passed down to the next generation too. When the Lord has taught you something tell someone about it, testify, share, encourage, build up someone else.
Follow closely in your Father's footsteps and you can't go wrong. God bless.
(Job 23:10-11)
I can remember one snowy December when I was around 10 or 11, my Dad took me and my sisters out into the woods to find a Christmas tree. The winter had already had it's fair share of snow and in the woods it was even deeper than near our house. Dad went ahead to break the trail and with each step he would sink into the soft snow up to his knees and sometimes higher. It was hard walking for three little girls. We floundered around, quickly getting worn out, until Dad looked behind himself and saw what we were attempting to do. That's when he told us that we would find the walking easier if we carefully placed our feet into his footprints that he had already made for us. We quickly followed his advice and even made a game of it. What one minute had been exhausting, suddenly became something fun. We were walking exactly where Dad walked and the trip was enjoyable.
Our Christian walk is the same as our walk in the woods: when we follow our Father's footsteps carefully we will stay on the path that He has set out for us. We won't flounder like we would if we were trying to do things our own way. When we turn aside from His ways we will quickly find that we have a harder time of it. We will grow exhausted from the frustration of trying to make things work. When we follow in the Lord's ways He will bless us and protect us and keep us in the palm of His hand. We will be that cherished daughter or son, whom the Father delights in. Just like my Dad did with his children, our Heavenly Father keeps an eye on us to see how we are doing. If we aren't walking in His steps, He'll remind us to get back on the right path because it's what is best for us.
Many times earthly fathers will let us try things on our own to test us, to see how we handle situations, to help us grow. Our Heavenly Father will do the same thing. He will test us and when He does, we will emerge from that testing as pure gold. So don't despair when you are being tested. You will survive the testing and be stronger and purer than you were before.
The lesson that my Dad taught me on that day long ago has stayed with me and I have used it many times afterwards to navigate through rough spots in the woods or snow. I have taught it to my children and to other people. The lessons the Lord teaches us must be passed down to the next generation too. When the Lord has taught you something tell someone about it, testify, share, encourage, build up someone else.
Follow closely in your Father's footsteps and you can't go wrong. God bless.
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