Adjusting our Prespective

"The Lord God gives me my strength. He makes me like a deer, which does not stumble. He leads me safely on the steep mountains." Habakkuk 3:19

A few weeks ago during our nightly time with the kids we read a devotion called No Shortcuts from Jesus Calling for Kids. It prompted a lot of questions from the little ones.  While discussing their comments a great illustration came to my mind.  If you grew up around our area, you probably like most of the families around here, have spent a day at Stone Mountain.  We go all the time and love it.  But as often as we have taken our kids, there was still one thing we had not done with them yet.  Hubby and I use to do it all the time, but had been using the excuse that they were not old enough for quite a while now. After reading the devotion we thought it was the perfect family opportunity on a beautiful day to illustrate God's plan for our life and enjoy His creation.  So this morning we set out with a  picnic basket, our family devotion and some good walking shoes to climb a mountain!

I have planned out a perfect path for your life, and I am leading you along that path.  In the distance, you can see the mountaintop.  That's our goal.

I know that you want to go straight to the top, but don't take shortcuts.  Follow Me instead.  Shortcuts can take you into dangerous places.

There will be difficulties along the way, for sure.  But I will use them to bless you with courage and strength.

 At times it might even seem that I am leading you away from the goal.  Follow Me anyway, I have lovingly planned every inch of your journey.

Hold my hand and walk with Me.  When the path gets rocky and steep - when problems get in your way - hold even tighter to My hand.

  Together we WILL make it to the top!

Man, I was proud of my kiddos today.  We didn't carry either of them at all and they toughed it out.  For a 3 and 5 yr old they rocked it today. The Lord was so good to allow us to talk about the devotion the whole way up and give us SO many illustrations and encouragement.

During the most difficult times (you know the ones with the handrails :) there were even 2 other women who stopped to encourage my kids. They told them they were proud of them and you could tell it made their hearts soar.  Such an amazing reminder that the Lord show up in many ways.  When He promises that He will be there it can be in a family member, a handrail, or a stranger that is willing to go the extra mile. Reaching the top of the mountain together was an awesome accomplishment that I know my kids will talk about for days. Trust me, I am sure Brother is ready to tell you all about it :)

It was another day, and another mountain climbed forward to the changes / adjustments we are making in 2012.  It ended up being a perfect day to make the climb since our family finished our monthly prayer focus day yesterday and our 25 day fast ends tomorrow.  Please pray for our family as we embark on a year to really try to change our perspective.  I know that we are all on-board, but I also know that when your family is committed to growing in the Lord and in the word, difficulties can arise.  Our goal is to be obedient in His daily calling and when we know He is asking us to do...do it, no shortcuts.  Today was awesome.  I love it when a plan comes together... (new phrase, it works right?! ha)