Are we out there alone?
Today was not one of my best days, a lot of things went wrong, or happened, that upset me, or angered me. I was not at my best. Now before anyone gets the wrong conclusion, my annual cancer test results seem to be fine, so no bad news was learned there. I won’t go into any of the details but lets just say that I felt this was a pretty awful day. I was very upset, and acted pretty much like a child about it, until I got home. Please let me explain.
I hit the door feeling awful and was just about to plan, and throw a big pity party, when I turned on the TV. I switched over to ESPN in hopes that a little sports would get my mind off the other experiences of the day. I wasn’t ready for what happened next! ESPN had a special on an athlete I’ve always liked, Randall Cunningham. He was a quarterback some years ago that had some really good years before he retired. In the piece they went through some of the ups and downs of his career and there was a number of both! The story went on to tell how he found his faith and endured some tragedies few of us could survive. Randall and his wife lost a 2 1/2 year old son to a drowning and of course, they were crushed by the loss, but the faith they exhibited, and their trust in their Heavenly Father was a deep witness to me, and reminder of who I am supposed to be, and who God can help me to be. I was so touched that standing in my kitchen I wept and asked God to forgive me for my actions, thoughts, and forgetting that we are not alone, no matter what we have to face.
Those of you that come here and read what the Holy Spirit inspires me to share deserve my complete openness and honesty, I know that days and weeks go by and I sound so positive, and on top of my game, but you need to know how badly I stumble, and how short I fall, not because you need to know that about me, but because you need to know how faithful He is to pick us up.
God never promised us that every circumstance would be easy, or fair, or comfortable, He did promise us that we would never face any of it alone…….
the pilgrim
*Photo Note: My dear brother Kent Irvin in Arches National Park. Nikon D3s, 28-300 AFS VR lens.
Below is a short excerpt from the film, if you can find the full program I promise it will bless you, as it did me.
http://espn.go.com/espn/e60/story/_/id/7207123/two-stats-randall-cunningham-add-one-faithful-life
This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at 1:36 am
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Proverbs 3:5-6…..
It’s often hard to keep any of us constantly centered…..
Amen, my brother, amen!
Amen!
Bill, as always I’m here getting the word of God, and today is no exception. Didn’t know I could feel any stronger or have more faith going though Chemo treatment right now. But after looking at Randall story, I am on the top of my game with the lord. Thanks so much..
Al
Al,
I know how much He loves you and how much He is watching over you!! Praise God for your faith…..
Love you Al, you are always in my heart!
Thank you, Bill, for your authenticity. We want people to like us and associate positive things always with the mention of our names. But to truly be respected we need to be authentic–only then can others relate to what we share, to who we are and to the message we which to convey. God is praised in your honesty for it reveals His mercies and love.
Howie
No question that I’m authentically pathetic some days!!!
Authenticity is another word for not knowing how to be anyone but yourself, good or bad!
Hi Bill,
I just read your post for today. Believe me, I do understand. I’m probably one of the most “Up” people there is. Even so, sometimes things happen that do irritate me.
Yesterday, for example, I woke up to find the shower backed up, and the car wouldn’t start. Every body had a solution to both that I knew wouldn’t work. And on top of that I can’t make up my mind as to which of us, my wife or I suffer worse from “Old-Timer’s” disease. It was clearly a time when I was so frustrated that I could scream. At that time I probably most resembled “Oscar” the grouch from Sesame Street. Later, after I had everything back under control, and apologised to everybody, I spent a lot of time with Jesus asking Him to keep me under control rather than me running things.
Blessings Bill,
Your buddy Rob from Salt Lake
Good to have you out there Rob!
He has to take my hands off the wheel all the time. I never seem to learn.
Hope your days are better. I often “travel” back to the Grandfather Mountain Photography Clinic August 2011. Your talk that Sunday left me with many things to think on and about, especially when you played Chris Tomblin’s “How Great is Our God.” He is truly great. We had a community prayer service at church this evening, inviting the local churches where I attend, Christians all, though some of different denominations, praying for our churches, community, especially our local, state, and national leaders. We are in a drought, financially, spiritually, emotionally, and in every other way we can figure. I finally figured out what “PC” means and it’s not “politically correct,” but “political coward”; those would rather appease the status quo than stand for what is right. I’ve never been politically correct just because I don’t know how to play that game. Now, I have to learn how to play “How Great is Our God” on the piano…simple arrangements are so hard to find. God led me back to this website; it has been on my mind for some time. Thank goodness I’m a notorious note taker or I would not have found this again. Have a great week. It’s off to the trenches tomorrow.
May God sustain you and lift you ever higher in the midst of the trenches!
the pilgrim