A Cup Of Cold Water

Each of us go through seasons of trial. Trials are like trudging through a desert. They could take the form of a serious illness, economic worries, or marital difficulties. Whatever the trial, however, the emotional and spiritual landscape is parched and there is little quality to life.

One thing I have noticed, however, is that we see God's hand in the small things that happen to us along these journeys. I call them God's cups of water. Our flesh wants the trial over NOW. We want God to bring us to the end of the journey immediately! We do not always understand why certain trials have to take so long. When we pray, He does not answer by ending the trial, but by offering small cups of water along the way. If we keep track of each glass, we soon begin to notice that the trial is not marked by its beginning or its end but by the cups of water along the way.

When we realize that each cup of cool water is actually a miracle of love from God, we can then take our eyes off of the big problem and begin to thank Him for the daily blessing.

Each glass of water offered to a weary traveler is a kindness. It may be an encouraging note or balloons at the hospital or a well timed visit during a busy day. Whatever form it takes, however, it is the cool water of grace that refreshes the soul of the person in need. God uses these to keep us alive long enough to get to the next blessing. So the reality is that each hardship is really a string of blessings linked together from beginning to end. That is why there is no good deed too small for any of us to overlook because that small grace might possibly be the very glass needed to keep a fellow traveler alive.
Blessings,
Father Scott +

Back To Blinders

During the 1800's when horses were the main source of transportation, drivers would put blinders over the horse's eyes. Blinders were flaps used to keep horses from seeing from side to side. The horse could still see, but only what was directly in front of it. This kept them from becoming skittish or fearful in case something or someone came up quickly from the side.

Scripture tells us to look neither to the right or to the left. I.E. Put on blinders. The enemy tries to temp us away from what God has called us to in the given moment.

When we focus on the past and the mistakes made there we can end up suffering from guilt or depression. If we look into the future we usually encounter fear. In both cases, we are looking to the right and to the left. It is just today that the Lord gives us. He calls us to live in the present and to put blinders on re the past and future.

A week ago, I woke up to bad news re a person who was very sick that we had been praying for over an extended length of time. There would be several days of good news followed by a day of bad news. Good news then bad news. That particular morning, upon hearing the bad news, I immediately wanted to give up--despair tried to take over. I did not want to pray about this any longer. I was tired being on the medical report roller coaster.

It was then that the Holy Spirit said, "Put blinders on." This meant, don't look to yesterday's good report and do not take on tomorrow's fear. Just pray about today's issue.

Recently, I wanted to give a (critical) opinion of someone I did not even know. (How foolish is that according to Proverbs!) As I was cranking up, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Put blinders on. That is none of your business. It is a trap from the enemy to get you to sin and lose the grace that I am offering you."

What is on each side of you today that is luring you to get off the straight and narrow path?
Keep your blinders on. Keep the face of Jesus and His Word in you. Ask what is the specific thing that He would have you do today!

Blessings,
Father Scott +