Is he shy or just rude?

I slipped in the aisle seat on the second row of the airplane. And I looked to my left. “I wonder if this will be a full flight?” I said.

“Could be,” a male voice answered.

I was heading to St. Louis last weekend. And as it’s my zany habit, I started a conversation with the closest person to me. The experiences add fun to my travels—I’ve listened to sad stories. Happy stories. Laughed at silly episodes people tell me. And I’ve even been a tad bold and offered advice from time to time.

I clicked on my seat belt. And turned to my left again. “I think we’ll take off on time. That’s a good thing, right?”

“Uh huh.”

I settled in and stuffed my bag under the seat in front of me. “So is St. Louis home for you?” I said .

“Uh huh.”

Okay, this guy is shy. Or maybe just doesn’t feel like talking. So, any normal person would hush and leave him alone, right? Oh no, not this chica.

I smiled and again asked, “Is St. Louis home for you?”

“Yep.”

What part of St. Louis?”

When he told me, I mentioned a specific church. And we learned we had a mutual friend.

That opened up the conversation, lively and interesting. Before I knew it, he was relating details about him and his life in the city we both knew well.

Then he opened up a bit more. He gave me some facts about him and his work. We kept talking and about an hour later, he detailed the anxiety that surrounded the relationship with his wife. The disappointment with his kids. And a sense of helplessness with the whole situation. His voice portrayed fear and frustration.

During the two-hour flight, the stranger turned into a nice passenger. Then to a kind person. Then to a dear friend who I longed to help.

That must be the same with God also. When we come to Him, we’re a bit shy about opening up to Him. We’re reluctant to spill our heartache to Him. We don’t really want to lift that cover where underneath we store details no one else knows. We’d rather tuck inside anything that is not pretty, pleasant or painful. It’s easier to ignore what causes heartache. And it’s harder to admit insecurities.

David didn’t have this problem. In fact, he would make a great travel partner because he had no reservations in expressing his displeasures to God and perhaps to those around him either: “O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength” (Psalm 88:1-3).

David didn’t hold anything back. And we shouldn’t either. God has a seat reserved beside Him just for us. His head is turned toward us, His ears are attentive, and His hands ready to create something good. No need for shyness in telling Him the details because “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all…” (Psalm 34:17-19).

Father, how often I fool myself by thinking I can hide things from you. I know you are aware of my inner most secrets. Of my longing for peace. And for the anxiety no one else knows. Help me to be transparent as I ask for your help. In Jesus’ name I ask.

–When your heart feels overwhelmed, with whom do you share that?
–What areas of your life are hidden from God?
–Although God knows all details in our lives, why do you think He wants us to share them with Him?

Janet
http://www.janetperezeckles.com

It’s easy as one, two, and three…

Amigas go ahead and grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable because you have three ways to escape from this hectic world:

–A brief video with humor and inspiration. View it at: Janet’s Inspirational Video at http://ping.fm/yNgVp

–An audio book with practical steps to warm your heart and show you that God is greater than your pain. Available for purchase at: Audio Version of Janet’s Book at http://ping.fm/gKdkM

–A free newsletter to encourage you with biblical insights, moving stories, health tips and thoughts to make you smile. To be added to the mailing list, just send a blank email to: Janet’s Free Newsletter at splash_of_inspiration@getresponse.com.

Blog title…

Regarding the last post where I related my sort of “panic moment” while I splashed in the water with my granddaughter, Andrea suggested I carry a cell phone.

Good idea. My next task is to find a water-proof cell. And a bathing suit with a pocket to hold it.

But…with cell on hand, what if we cannot see the number? And what if we cannot remember it? Or what if they don’t’ answer?

Life is like that, isn’t it? The “What if’s” pile up—What if I lost my job? What if the medical diagnosis is serious? What if we have another 9-11 event? What if I lost the house? What if my plans failed? What if I don’t have what it takes to face the uncertainty of tomorrow?

Whom do we call then?

Once again, the God of the universe who knitted every cell in our body, who gave us the ability to think. The one who created the emotions that fill our hearts. He’s the same God who knew the day would come when we’d have all those “what if” questions rumbling in our head. And, being the Almighty God of all, He gave a very, very simple solution: “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16).

Father, I confess that I’ve been tempted to love other things and other people more than you. I’ve acknowledged my fear rather than your power. Help me to change, Lord. Help me to recognize that in times of trouble, you’ll rescue me and stay with me. And the uncertainty of tomorrow is no match to the certainty of your Promises. In Jesus’ name I ask.

–Whom do you love the most these days?
–What causes the doubt, loneliness, or anxiety that robs your sleep?
–What if you chose to love and obey God above all?

Janet
http://www.janetperezeckles.com

It’s easy as one, two, and three…

Amigas go ahead and grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable because you have three ways to escape from this hectic world:

–A brief video with humor and inspiration. View it at: Janet’s Inspirational Video at http://ping.fm/z2imr

–An audio book with practical steps to warm your heart and show you that God is greater than your pain. Available for purchase at: Audio Version of Janet’s Book at http://ping.fm/qb3dz

–A free newsletter to encourage you with biblical insights, moving stories, health tips and thoughts to make you smile. To be added to the mailing list, just send a blank email to: Janet’s Free Newsletter at splash_of_inspiration@getresponse.com.

splash

this is a posting group test.

So I made a fool of myself…

“We’re going to the beach,” my 3-year old granddaughter squealed and hopped up and down with excitement.

At this point, I don’t think she realizes that her Nannah is blind. Since I show her things, I pretend to read to her, walk with her, change her, bathe her and do all the things “normal” grandmas do, she assumes I have eyesight just like everyone else.

It was beach time one day this past weekend. And I stuffed sunscreen, towels and plenty of water in a beach bag. With one hand, I held on to my hubby and with the other, I held her little hand. The three of us walked on that hot sand until we got closer to the water.

While hubby got comfortable on a beach chair under an umbrella, she tugged at my hand. “C’mon Nannah, let’s go in the ocean.”

With no obstacles in the way, and holding tight to her little hand, she and I took off. We jumped, splashed, sat on the sand, and built castles that quickly slid into the water. She ran to one side, then the other. Tugging at my hand, we ran and ran back and forth.

After I imagined that more than an hour passed, I realized we might have gone far from the place we started. And hubby, unable to see us, would never find us.

A slight panic filtered through. I pulled her little hand closer to me, got on my knee, and cupped her little face in my hands and looked into her smooth face. “Honey, do you see Papa anywhere?”

“No,” she said, “Jump with me Nannah, here comes another wave.”

Another wave? I thought. We need to halt our fun and figure out what to do. We might be lost and hubby might have to call the coast guard to look for blind woman with a 3-year-old little girl.

My imagination went wild with possibilities. “Listen,” I said to her, “take me where you see some people on the sand.”

But her focus was on running and jumping as she pulled me the other way, further to one side.

The moment I heard voices near me, I tucked away any ounce of pride and smiled in their direction. “Excuse me, “I said, “Do you have a cell phone? I’m blind and I need to call my husband.”

“Sure,” a male voice answered, “what’s his number?”

As I started to give it to him, the man said, “I think that’s him waving over there.”

Sure enough. My hubby, who was but a few feet away, caught their attention to let them know he was right there.

Did I feel like a fool? Just a tad.

Yes, amigas, we are zany that way. When we think we’re lost, far away from God’s watchful eye, we panic. Then we resort to those around us for help or advice, for comfort and for guidance.

So often, blinded from seeing God’s presence near us, we face an ocean of troubles, and the sand we once played on becomes the quicksand of anxiety. Our thinking becomes blurred with fear. That’s when we echo David’s words, “Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1a).

Like us sometimes, he continues to groan, complain, and splash in self-pity. Then he looks up, and a few inches of his soul, God waves His hand at him. And that’s when David remembers: “In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed” (Psalm 22:4-5).

Then with the towel of renewed faith, he wipes away doubt. And inhaling a deep breath of comfort, his words change: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will hear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Father, I confess moments of panic settle in when life brings waves of troubles. And rather than answers, in the horizon more problems appear. In those moments, Lord, remind me you’re not far. Increase my faith to know that when the world can’t bring me home, you’re able to guide me home to the comfort of your arms and the safety of your love. In Jesus’ name I ask.

–How close do you feel to God right now?
–What distractions take you away from Him?
–How far have you wondered from the comfort He offers?

Janet
http://www.janetperezeckles.com

It’s easy as one, two, and three…

Amigas go ahead and grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable because you have three ways to escape from this hectic world:

–A brief video with humor and inspiration. View it at: Janet’s Inspirational Video at http://ping.fm/LwrEy

–An audio book with practical steps to warm your heart and show you that God is greater than your pain. Available for purchase at: Audio Version of Janet’s Book at http://ping.fm/Xx4Zv

–A free newsletter to encourage you with biblical insights, moving stories, health tips and thoughts to make you smile. To be added to the mailing list, just send a blank email to: Janet’s Free Newsletter at splash_of_inspiration@getresponse.com.

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