Friday, May 17, 2013

The Promise of New Life


Spring is full of promise of the things to come.
Just as the lilacs are a promise to us that spring is here
and the flowers, vegetables, and lawn were coming to life,
our God promises us life.
 
Life in abundance.
 
 
 
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.
                                                                                                                     John 10:10b KJV
(For more of the story of the lilacs, go to my other blog,  Nana's House .)
 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Where does My Help Come From?



 
We live 60 miles from Red Lodge, MT, billed as
"The Gateway to Yellowstone Park via the Beartooth Highway."
Indeed, it is a beautiful drive through this part of Montana up to the summit  into
Wyoming
and over to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone Park.
 
To get up the Beartooths to the Summit, you are aided up the steep climb by the road of switchbacks,
and this photo shows what they look like...
 
 
When we are at the base of the mountain, the Beartooths seem to be overwhelmingly difficult to drive over without the help of switchbacks. The road climbs slowly and it turns one direction to the opposite direction, making the climb easier to do. This "switchbacking" makes the climb not only easier, but the views are fantastic,
with each turn a new, awe-inspiring view of the mountains.
 

If I were to walk the Beartooth Highway, it would be an arduous task,
and I am sure I would want to give up before reaching the peak.

 

Life seems like that sometimes.
 
The "mountains" we climb may not be the Beartooths,
but they may be overwhelming at times.
These mountains may be as mundane as
a week's laundry to do,
a test to study for,
or the pile of paperwork on a desk.
 
Or, these mountains may be so big
that we cannot see the peak because of the clouds,
the summit where we may claim victory seems out of reach
due to difficulties and hardships such as;
illness,
divorce,
the death of a loved one,
and overwhelming financial problems,
just to name a few.
 
But God, in His infinite wisdom, knows we cannot climb these mountains
without His help. He will lead us up these mountains as the switchbacks
lead travelers up the Beartooth Highway.
He will provide the way through His word.
 
 
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
    He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8