Do you like to camp?

Gosh, I do!  I just love to get out in the wilderness with my tent  and just enjoy God's wonderful creation.  Although I don't  necessarily enjoy His creation of mosquitoes! ;)

I remember when I was a boy my parents, my little sister and I  would occassionally go camping together.  On one particular outing  it started raining.  Then, it started thundering.  Which was followed  by lightning.  Which was followed my a full blown storm.

My sister and I were put in the back of our truck (which had a  camper) and my parents were in the cab talking over what to do.   The conversation between my sister and I went something like this.

"I'm scared," my sister whimpered.  "That lightning might hurt  us.  Aren't you scared, Jimmy?"

"No," I replied quickly.  "I'm not scared.  Dad will take care of  me.  Why should I worry?"

You see, as a child, like all other children, I was dependent upon  my parents.   They were the source of my food, my clothing, my  transportation...

...and occassionally, my source of shelter and protection from the  storms.

In fact, they were the source of everything that I had in my life.   Everything.

It's a wonderful place to be, in the care of someone who loves  you, completely dependent upon them for your personal welfare.  Not  all kids have that luxury, but most do.  I did, and I'm thankful for it.

One thing you won't find kids doing is trying to be self-sufficient.   How many five year olds have you seen getting a job so they can buy  groceries?  Have you noticed any seven year olds living in an  apartment on their own?  What about a three year old trying to drive  across town in a car?

Kids are completely dependent upon their parents, and you  seldom find them trying to do things on their own.

What a spiritual lesson to be learned!  You and I, as Christians,  are completely and totally and absolutely dependent upon God.  He's  a wonderful provider of food, clothing, transportation....

...and shelter and protection from the storms of life!

It's only when we step outside of His blanket of protection that we  run into trouble.  It's only when we leave the fold that fall victim to  the enemy.  

It's only when we try to do things on our own, away from God,  that we fail.  Abandoning the green pastures that God provides is  about as useless as, well, as a three year old trying to drive across  town in a car.

The decisions we make should be made only after consulting the  Lord.  The words we use should be the words that He has for us.   Our steps should take us down the paths that He chooses.  Our  wills...surrendered to His.

That is dependence.  And it's a wonderful place to be, in the care  of someone who loves you.

Are you scared of the storms around you?  The difficult things in  life, you know, the hardships and struggles.  Are you scared?

I'm not.  After all, my Father will take care of me.  

Why should I worry?

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!