A Faith Story by Susan Naron
I love it when a long period of time goes by; but you are able to pick up where you left off with certain people. Well, these are some of these people in Neil and I’s life. Grateful for the past few days we were able to spend and reconnect with these two!
The Lord used this fishing experience to remind me to keep my eyes on Him alone. You see…Neil took Anna, Kevin and myself to the dam to fish. The last time Neil and I were there, I got nervous as one of the pontoons had a leak and the boat was not level. I was fearful of sinking and going under the hazardous waters. This trip was different because the pontoon had been welded and fixed. However, in the back, of my mind I was thinking about the last trip and about the father and his two sons who recently drown at a nearby dam only a few months ago.
While we were tied to the dam, the boat would bang into the cement wall and make a horrible noises. I also noticed water coming aboard and this alarmed me. In the midst of the banging and swirling water underneath the boat, I lost my peace and focus. Kevin commented if anything were to happen, we just needed to dive deep and out to avoid the dangerous currents.
After safely returning to shore, the Lord showed me how my attention was on my circumstances and not Him. He also prompted me that deep calls to deep and His Kingdom is upside down. If we would have gone under, my natural instinct would be to try to get to the surface. However, I would have needed to do the exact opposite to get to safety. Just as people are beginning to riot, we need to keep our eyes focused on what God is up to and not get distracted by how the enemy is working.
Oh, how thankful I am of His reminders of how quickly we can get our eyes off of Him and lose our peace. That we need to constantly be praising Him and remembering He is good and faithful, so we will not open the door to the enemy and become paralyzed by fear. The Lord brought to my remembrance how He slept during the storm and spoke peace into existence. My prayer is the next time things seem chaotic around me, I can keep my eyes focused on Him and I can speak peace instead of fear.
What a special time it was being back in Florence! Neil and I used to dream about running a campsite like this when we first got married. We revisited the idea and agree it still would be a great ministry opportunity.
During the first few mornings, I walked Lily down to the doc with Trixie. What a treat, as this was a special memory I treasure with Trixie and Lacey. I also got to go noodling with Neil and spend time meditating on Song of Songs. My heart is overflowing.
What a blessing! We were able to eat at our favorite restaurant in Florence, AL today. This was the first time we have been able to go inside and be served since the pandemic! Oh, what we used to take for granted and how blessed we are!
Neil and I were able to get out in the boat this weekend. He was delighted to get to fish and as much as I was just to spend time in the Lord’s creation.
We both enjoyed the time spent with Kennedy and Chase. During our interactions, I was reminded not to be scared to speak my mind, to appreciate the little things, and not to be afraid of trying something new!
What a special surprise getting to see and spend some quality time with Cooper and Anna Carson this weekend! Oh, how I’ve missed these little ones and what joy they. bring to our lives!
My calendar was tossed this month. Originally, some of the prayer team had plans of going from state to state to support the different outreaches during GO2020. However, since the pandemic; all plans came to a screeching halt. Instead, we are meeting once a day for an hour on zoom from the comforts of our own homes.
On Monday, I wrote thank yous to two of my new supporters. I used cards that a dear friend and I made together. While writing the notes, I felt led to reach out to my friend who helped me make the cards and invite her to join the prayer team on a zoom call later in the week. This person agreed; however, she never joined us.
Last week I binge watched The Chosen. In one of the episodes, Jesus asked Nicodemus to follow him. However when it came down to it, he did not. I remember thinking I hope I am willing to lay my life down to follow Him and be flexible enough to get out of my comfort zone and do something that stretches me if it will help advance the Kingdom of God.
On this particular day, the daily Go2020 challenge was to share the Gospel with your mailman by leaving a note for them in your mailbox. During our prayer zoom call, we usually pray into each challenge. Today we discussed not just leaving a note for the mailman, but also about being intentional about writing someone a letter. I knew deep down my friend was supposed to be on this call because the Lord prompted me to invite her to join us while I was writing a letter on a card she had made. I believe it would have been an encouragement not only to her, but also to the prayer team and those who were watching…but for whatever reason, my friend missed out…just as Nicodemus did.
It hurts my heart wondering if there are things the Lord has invited me to do, only for me to not show up or miss it. My prayer is that I am attentive to His invitations, I say yes and follow through, amen?
Many of you will be as surprised to discover as I was with myself agreeing to go mud ridding for the first time this weekend. I think I would have enjoyed it better if I could see where we were going and know how deep those mud holes were. (insert big eye emoji here!)
As I am proofing this, I can see this is a great example of faith. The Lord only giving us enough light to take the next step. We can’t see what is further out, but trust in His leading, amen?
On a lighter note, now that I have this experience under my belt, I wonder if my brother in law will consider changing my nick name from black top to something else?
The other day, I was outside with Trixie and Lily reading. I noticed a foul smell each time one of them would walk by. I investigated and discovered both dogs had rolled around on a dead baby bird. I used a stick to throw it over the fence and then took them inside for a bath. Since it was such a beautiful day, we went back outside so they could dry. About 30 minutes later, Lily came up to me and I noticed the smell again. I returned to where they were rolling before and found two more dead baby birds. Again, I used a stick to throw them over the fence and then bathed Lily once more.
I was reminded of 2 Peter 2:22 “It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit, and, a washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud.” My prayer has become that we as His Bride don’t return to old mindsets, our busy schedules, all of the idols that He has removed during this pandemic. I pray we keep our eyes fixed on Him and remain in His presence as we walk into something new and beautiful as we prepare for His return.
I will never forget getting the call from my husband back at the end of October that my brother-in-law was in a car accident. For many weeks, we prayed he wouldn’t have to lose one of his legs. For months, we have prayed for his healing! Now look, here he is walking for the first time since the accident!
Job 5:9 “He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.”
My Journey of Revival