University of Missouri Storm Chasing Team
Yet another storm front is moving through our area (time for that ark yet?!) and it got me to thinking today. I absolutely love displays of the power of nature. To me, they are displays of the power of God. I love watching and feeling strong winds whipping through, tossing the trees. Storms with lightning and thunder are absolutely magical. Every time I have been in the ocean, I have stood in awe and amazement, feeling (in a good way) just how small and mortal I really am. It brings to life that line in the old hymn: "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand". These little displays of God's awesome power thrill me.
However... God dropped this little thought in my head while I was standing outside reveling in the furious wind... show too much power and it scares me. Wind... storms... bring it on! Tornadoes... terrify me. My parents used to watch shows on TV about tornadoes when I was little and I wouldn't sleep for days following. Didn't matter that it was a bright sunny sky out (yeah- sunny. I think my mom sent us to bed at like 8 p.m. in the summer!). Tsunamis- the ultimate end of those powerful waves- wouldn't want to be anywhere near one. I treat God the same way.
We are starting to see the power that God really possesses as we walk further along our adoption journey. I had mentioned this earlier. Now that our taxes are actually done and sent (although the refund hasn't been sent yet, so I'm still a little nervous to mention), God is offering us a pretty major step forward by way of the IRS. We received the remainder of the adoption credit this year for our daughter's adoption, which we probably would have needed 1-2 more years to finish under the previous tax arrangements. Instead, the leftover amount is all coming now. The amount we are receiving is going to be enough to pay off our remaining debts minus our home mortgage! What a miracle! This will free up money monthly to start saving and paying for our son's adoption.
Now don't get me wrong... the IRS isn't sending us megabucks! But, we have spent the past 5 years working hard on getting better with our finances so that God was better able to use us. Dear hubby and I were financial morons when we got married! 5 years ago, we were introduced to Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University. Check it out:
It is definitely not easy, and it takes a while to actually gain financial ground (a crock pot, not a microwave, as he puts it) but it is sooooooo worth it. You may have heard the same type of advice before, but Dave Ramsey actually makes it seem doable and maybe even a little fun. Hubby says he best likes how Ramsey encourages you to be excited about freeing yourself from your debtors ("What creditor are you gonna really enjoy saying 'Ha- never have to deal with you again!' to?") His debt snowball plan really has worked in our lives. It seemed like a really slow process, but we also adopted a kid in the middle of it!
So here is God, offering me a big step forward, and I have to admit, I'm scared! If God really starts to show me His power, I have NO excuses for my fears, doubts, whining, lack of effort on the part of His Kingdom or any of the other failings I am so comfortable in. If He can move mountains to bring my son home, when I can't do it myself, I have no other option than to stand up and shout to the world what an amazing God I serve! It means that I need to be for Him like those crazy storm chasers are for weather-- leaping right into the thick of it and celebrating His power and His glory. Wow!
this is a fantastic post... :)
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