Our sermon at church yesterday was based on this great bible passage:

Matthew 14:22-33 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.  Later that night, he was there aloneand the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.  Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them:  “Take courage!  It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said.”  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” he said, “Why did you doubt?”  And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

This is a great story to all Christians with the message of keeping our eyes on God.  He won’t let us sink, if we trust Him in all ways!

However, I happened to see another lesson in this passage.

The story begins with Jesus sending the disciples ahead while he finished meeting with the people.  He wasn’t worried about staying late.  He wasn’t stressing out about making plans as to where and when he would meet up with them.  He didn’t ask them to wait or keep the boat near shore for Him.  And then Jesus even took more time to talk to His heavenly Father.  And THEN He took the time to join up with His disciples.  And He took the shortest route – walking on the water out to the boat!

My point?

How often in our busy lives do we get caught up on hurrying and rushing to get all those important things done?  Even before we finish one thing, we are planning on what we will get to next.  Jesus had people to see and did not hurry or worry.  He tended to what He needed to do and caught up with His disciples later.  Albeit, He walked on water to get to them.  But He found a way to get there.

How often do we worry about how we are going to finish our college education?  Or where we will find the money this month to pay the bills?  Maybe your challenge is to get through the next week without a cigarette?  Or are you exhausted and wondering how you will survive those sleepless nights with a sick baby?

We are all trying to get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ … and probably worrying ourselves sick about how we’re going to do it.  Jesus didn’t worry.  We are told not to worry.

Matthew 6:34  So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I think this is a great attitude that many spina bifida families have learned to roll with.  We can’t dwell or worry about, “Will my SB child attend regular school?  Will my SB child walk?  Will my SB child be able to _____?”  We take one day at a time, and we find different ways to get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’.

The other day on one of the spina bifida FB pages I follow, a mom talked about her child in a wheelchair who saw someone jump rope and they wanted to as well.  The mom handed a jump robe to their child and the kid flipped the rope forward over their head then wheeled over the rope and continued on – jumping rope.  Adorable!  They were jumping rope – just a different way.  And all those wheelchair sports you see – people conquering sports while seated in their wheelchairs!  Still playing the sport – just in a different way! 

Why do we stress about laying out the plans for all that we do?  Why can’t we trust God and let Him pave the way?

It made me think of the saying, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”  Ewww.  That is really not a nice thing to think about – literally skinning a cat.  Of course, it means that we should all know that there is more than one way to accomplish something.  But I have to share this photo I found when I searched under that little saying …. Clever isn’t it?  That cat is being turned inside out!

 

This subject also made me think of the song, “God Will Make A Way” and here is the first part of it (google it if you don’t know it):

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me.

Spina bifida families out there – you rock!  You find ways to help your child get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ and the ways are creative and inspiring!  No worries.  Just one day at a time and strength and faith to boldly press on.

God wants us to trust Him in all things and in all ways.  He is probably working in your life right now – helping you with your challenge.  Just keep in mind that what might seem impossible to you is POSSIBLE through Christ.  He will help you get there – it just might be in a different way.

Even Peter got to walk on water!

Just Laurel