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Give, Put & If . . .


I have always wished that I had been born a pioneer woman. Thinking of myself as being hearty and earthy, I'm sure I could have handled living off the land. I love the outdoors and creation's majestic beauty. I have seen the power of rain, storms, and floods to respect all that nature has to offer. Growing up with access to the Rocky Mountains gave me opportunity for hiking and exploring. Memories of eating wild gooseberries, sneaking up on a deer, wading through crystal clear cold creeks, and fishing for rainbow trout are some of my best. Maybe it came from reading the "Little House on the Prairie" series that fed my imagination and yearning to have lived a different time. But that wasn't the plan, for I am here. . .

All of us are gifted with life. As if that is not enough in and of itself, we are individually given talents, strengths, and abilities. We know that King Solomon was given wisdom at his request from God. He was put in the time of history when Israel's enemies and adversaries were all subdued, so that his reign was one of peace and prosperity. Yet with all that King Solomon was given, including his place of power and royal position, he was also told of "if's" that his length of life and his future descendants depended on. Just like Solomon, I have been gifted with life, put into this time, and ever before me are the options of "if". . .

I think it's easy to receive a gift, even life, because essentially we had nothing to do with it. Although once we have it, we sometimes take it for granted and even neglect it. The choice is ours alone, i.e. how we live our days. But for me, I struggle more with where I'm put, especially when I can feel that what I do is so unnoticed, so ordinary, so mundane. I wonder do I really make a difference or contribute significantly to this time of history? That's when I think I should have been born in former times or should have lived in a simpler place than modern society, or better yet go live in another place, "way out there"! But the reality is I'm here, and maybe it was only to be a loving wife, a caring mother, and a serving nurse. I need to remind myself that God in His loving providence puts us in the time and place that fits His plan of grace to show the world His care. And graciously, He never puts us in a place where we would have to be without His presence. I find that the "if's" are still the same for me as for King Solomon. If I walk the Way, and follow God's commandments, there is the promise of God's blessing and provision for me and for my future. But those "if's" are easy to ignore, to grow complacent with, and be downright lazy with; and then, too often God is blamed for when our lives go wrong . . .

The theme's still clear even with our misperception, God gives us life and puts us here to follow Him, and if we do, we'll gain a life, not just well lived, but one eternal . . .

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