by Amber Payne, Campus Pastor
(An excerpt from my devotional blog site.)

Written June 3rd, 2007

Well, I have gotten to the stage of packing where I forget and pack things we still need out! Where is that….Laddel, Book, Blanket, pair of pants… O’yeah, I packed it!

Of course along the way I am definitely finding all things lost! Thank God I found that necklace…or recently, “Oh that’s where that skirt, that I have been looking for forever, is!” What can I say, in the process of moving you find things!

Lately, as the time crunch sinks in, I find more and more frustration, aggravation, and the sinking suspicion that may faith is running low. (I know hard to believe this model of perfection could have any doubt.) Day to day I feel like my faith is playing a game of “Hide and Seek” with me. Perhaps I packed my Faith away yesterday!

My children are beginning to react to the pressure. Alex cries..alot. Tonight he said he wanted “new parents” that would “do whatever” he wants! LOL. He has been testy and disobedient lately. I was at my wits end until in my Morning Prayer session when Father God reminded me of how I reacted as child when moving constantly for my Dad’s ministry. (OUCH!)

He reminded me Alex needed to let out his emotions and grieve in some way. I have a choice, allow him to vent or punish him until he learns to let it build up quietly on the inside. So…in other words God pointed out that I should approach him with compassion and understanding. (Better to vent now than allow bitterness to grow!)

Who better than I to understand the sense of loss and uncertainty a child of a Pastor can feel when they move, yet again! Who knew my childhood, once again, would provide valuable insight. (Well, all of you who read my devotionals knew!)

Alex isn’t the only one that can be testy when stressed. (who me? haha!) Where do you think he got it from?

The Spirit led me that morning to Psalm 48. I read it thinking it was a lovely look at worship…thinking He led me there to uplift me…bring joy through a spirit of worship, calm my soul. He did, but in an unexpected way. Really, He was waiting- through a list of precursor verses in chapter 48, until the last scripture to make His point. Ha Ha! I love how He calms you then hits you with a reminder and throws a light on your doubt.

It was the very last verse that He brought me to this passage for - a reminder in times when things in my life are being Lost and Found…

“For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be OUR GUIDE even unto the end.”

What I love is that this week I “found” once more that He provides a renewed measure of faith, a tap on the shoulder to say I am still here, and my daughter don’t you forget it!…This God is MY God, He is My guide, and He stays with me to the End.

You can’t imagine the comfort and life the word of God can be to you in trouble times. My dear friends…forsake not the word of God. It is LIFE!
 

Posted under Devotion