Stranded
Recently, Rebecca and I made plans to go on a date to Fayetteville, Arkansas. We got a kid-sitter and figured out our shopping and eating plans. Everything was going as planned when all of a sudden, in the parking lot of Lowes, our van decided that it wouldn’t start. I was sure that it was something that I could probably fix, so we popped the hood and began to search. On the surface, I found nothing that I could see was fixable. After checking some fuses and wiggling some wires, those are serious mechanical terms for “I have no idea what I’m doing,” we tried to start it again and although it sounded like it should start, it didn’t. Rebecca and I talked it over a bit and determined that the problem was something internal, something that we couldn’t see or fix and that someone with the ability to identify and find the problem would have to work on it. But who would come to the Lowes parking lot to check it out for us? Then the harsh reality sank in—we were stranded. Dollar signs began to pop in my mind with big negative signs beside them. We quickly began to think of someone we could call that may be able to help us. Fortunately, we called a friend who suggested another friend that could help. After an hour of waiting we met him to load the dead van on a trailer. Just before we did that, the friend helping us said, “Let’s try to start it again so I can hear what its doing.” And guess what, it started! After the embarrassment wore off and proclaiming that the van was healed and our prayers were answered, we parted ways with a backup plan just in case we broke down again. I think you can see where I might possibly be going with this in light of our ministry focus.
Some challenges in life are out of our control and can’t be fully planned for. Sometimes these challenges, even though we may try our best to fix them, leave us with the illusion that we are doing fine, or at least getting by, when really we aren’t. The unresolved emotions and feelings, left alone and not properly cared for, leave us feeling stranded, especially if we have no one to call and talk to. Some of the issues we face are unseen and are deeply rooted in our thinking, actually in our belief system. We get stranded in life due to unhealthy choices based on toxic thinking that comes from the past. Some of our issues are from uncontrolled circumstances and others point directly to our unhealthy choices. This toxic belief system gives us a distorted view of ourselves, our world, others and God. If not confronted with truth, continued toxic thinking leads us to a negative cycle of unhealthy life choices. Once we finally realize it, it appears to be too late, but I’m here to say that it’s never too late. Over time the real issues that have become hidden can be found, identified and changed into tools for finding peace for our future. In other words we are only as stranded as we want to be. It’s okay to let someone look inside to see if they can address what we can’t see on the surface. FreshWater exists to help people find the truth that God intended them to believe. We also exist as a backup plan for when something deep inside causes us to believe that we are stranded.
Though the dog days of summer continue, school is starting back up. For us, this means a drastic change of pace from what we’ve had this Summer. Chris has had most of the Summer off from his job at Maryetta Schools. During this time, his time available to FreshWater has really increased. We’ve doubled our clientele over the summer! We have been thrilled to have the time to help so many people. This week, though, as the realization that Chris goes back to work next week sinks in, we realize that the number of clients we currently work with will need to be scaled back or creatively juggled. We love helping people see themselves as God sees them. It is our passion! We continue to ask for your prayers. Prayer that God will devise a way for us to fulfill completely our passion for helping people. Prayer that our donor base will increase so that we can have more time to devote to the ministry of FreshWater. If 10 more people would partner at $50 a month, FreshWater would have enough to support a part-time salary! Every gift makes a difference, no matter the size! Please consider partnering with us.
