CARL GOOCH10:06 AM (6 minutes ago)to Carl's Thoughts On - Facing Storms Don't ever quit. Don't ever give up. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, finish the race! That is the advice I've been given when facing the storms of life. Som…
Don't ever quit. Don't ever give up. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, finish the race! That is the advice I've been given when facing the storms of life.
Sometimes God sends someone into your life to bring you a message or a reminder. It might be a parent or relative or just a friend that cares about you. Listen to them even if the message is something you don't want to hear.
And sometimes God will reveal His message in a more tangible way. This is one of those times.
When I was a young boy I was full of mischief and adventure. It wasn't uncommon for me to be at the river fishing or in the woods hunting. Once when things were starting to get me down I went to the river to camp and fish and clear my head. It was a hot summer and the nights were humid and sticky. And I was stressed out, unable to rest. So I went down to the river in hopes to cool down some. It was crisp, cool in fact… streams from the hills had not warmed up… even just standing in the water letting the cool air from her cooler waters dance over my body was a welcome relief. A few steps further and the water splashed up around my belly and I let my knees collapse such that I sank beneath the surface. My thoughts seem to fade as the water washed over me. As I slipped under the surface, arching my back and turning my face skyward, I opened my eyes. Through the crystal-clear water I could see the full moon shining bright through the night's sky. The moon met my gaze as I cleared the water from my face; so close it seemed as though I could just reach out and touch it. The moon shone bright in the night's sky, nearly perched on the wall of the cliffs on the other side of the river. I could imagine me hanging my feet over the ledge of the cliff, just dangling my legs over.
The moonlight captivated me as it shimmered in the ripples of the ever-flowing river. Reminding me of who was truly in charge and to whom I could turn for comfort.
"Thank you, Lord."
It's strange how even the smallest of trials or deprivation, can bring us tumbling down. We get all caught up in the trials we are facing and lose sight of the solution.
The hotness of the Ozarks was being wiped away by the cool lick of this gentle breeze… eyes closed, resting in the cradle of my hands behind my head. Peace flooded my very soul, it was intoxicating, it was hypnotizing… I could feel my body relax and drift as the peace of God came. I drifted into the river of my dreams, resting in His loving arms. And hearing Him say; Don't ever quit. Don't ever give up. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, finish the race!
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