The Learning Curve of Life… Texas Style!

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefor we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

As our homes filled with water, our hearts cried out to Someone… Anyone… who could and would help!

And GUESS WHO showed up… God showed up! He showed up with His army of people and the resources He provided each of them for this very scenario. He showed up, NOT to take away our suffering but to LEAD US THROUGH… “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”… the Lord IS our Shepherd (Psalm 23)

It was is AMAZING… We saw ourselves turn from “Ha! Bring it on Harvey! to “OMG, Why Me, Lord!” to “Brother/Sister, LET ME HELP!” We’ve experienced multiple stages of grief within in days hours minutes of realizing that this wasn’t the normal hurricane model we’ve become accustomed to. No, Hurricane Harvey had an agenda we’ve NEVER SEEN BEFORE!

Last week I wrote about “Wrestling with God”, never imagining He was preparing me/us for an UNFORGETTABLE training/muscle-building/life changing boot camp for His children.

It’s a learning curve for sure! It wasn’t isn’t pretty… it wasn’t isn’t fun… and we certainly didn’t ASK for it!

NONE of it is “punishment” or “deserved” or even “undeserved” as some of our enemy’s minions might have whispered (or shouted) in the midst of millions of gallons of water falling on us. *FYI* ONLY ENEMIES would accuse the brethren (Revelation 12:13) and God Himself of the hatred which he (Satan)is filled with.

God LOVES us and DOES NOT WISH for ANY to perish (2 Peter 3:9). But He also disciplines (TRAINS UP FOR GOOD) His children… he who withholds his rod (not for beating but for guiding/turning/saving from harm) hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. Proverbs 13:24

Those who reject God’s loving TRAINING, and accuse Him of evil, are themselves filled with the lies of our enemy and their focus is on proving to themselves and others their foolishness, all the while thinking they are the one’s with truth and wisdom… REALITY CHECK… the roaring lion is prowling…seeking to devour! (1 Peter 5:8)

But I digress…

Hebrews 12:11-14 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet those who have been trained by it, AFTERWARDS it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness… hands that are weak are strengthened – knees that are feeble and limbs that are lame are healed – paths are made straight for feet to walk well… peace between all men is pursued with passion.

Houston TEXAS… we don’t really have a problem… we have before us the greatest opportunity to KNOW GOD in ways we have never known Him before. We have the inspiration from our God to SHINE the light He has put within us (“This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let It Shine”).

Houston TEXAS, we are SHINING!

It’s our Texas Style Learning Curve! Let’s show ’em what we’ve got! We have Him… for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

For those of you on the outside (and probably even some within) who are busy snarking and spouting all the woulda – shoulda – coulda critiques… talk to the hand cause we don’t have time to listen to your cr__p!

Or better yet… shut up!

There I said it… not the most encouraging words… forgive me – it’s a learning curve for me too! Texas Style!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible