Flying, Turbulence, Trust, and the Insane.

I've missed this place. I took two weeks off and I can't promise that I won't do it again! End of the school year projects, concerts, awards, testing and competitions leave no rest for the weary.

The last couple of weeks have definitely been a lesson in trust.  It has reminded me of a plane flight I took in June of 1993.

It was a Delta Flight. Dallas to Houston.

Oh how I remember...

Flying was always something that I enjoyed. I loved everything about it. The sounds, the window seat views, and the faces of the passengers. All of it.

This particular day I was on my way to a wedding. Like always, before take off I bowed my head and prayed a prayer of safety and protection.  When I finished, I heard the Lord ask "Do you trust me?"

I thought it was odd but my obvious answer was "Yes!"

It's the answer that most of us would give. Of course we trust the One who loves us most. We worship. We pray. We read his word. We know that He's a healer. He's a protector. He's a provider. He's a deliverer.

We know.

So for me to answer anything other than a yes would have been disrespectful and according to my heart, absurdity.

As the plane took off I was feeling pleased about my answer. Looking out the window, I marveled at His handiwork!  It was breathtaking. I closed my eyes and told Him how much I loved Him.

As soon as I started to get comfortable on this one hour flight it was time to land. The pilot came on and said that there was a storm in Houston. We were going to have to fly in a holding pattern until we were cleared to land.

I thanked God for safety and protection and waited patiently.

One hour later the pilot announced that we would start our descent. He told us to fasten our seat belts. I didn't think this was out of the ordinary, as this was the normal sequence of many flights before.

And then...

I LOST MY MIND!

The turbulence was dreadful.  Bumps. Drops. Swaying. The noise of the engine. Clouds. Screams.

Me screaming.

Plane descending.

Me screaming.

Bumps. Drops.

Shaking.

I looked at the faces of the flight attendants. Calm.

Me still screaming. Wondering if they were just okay with the fact that we were obviously dying.

Turbulence stopped.

Calm.

Plane landed.

Everyone clapped.

I didn't.

I needed to get OFF!

As we taxied in, I could not stop shaking. I cried. I couldn't believe what just took place. Never in my life had I been through such an experience. It was horrendous. I couldn't imagine getting on another plane.

I got my things and ran off the plane. Pushing many people out of my way too. I needed to put my feet on the ground!

When I got to sure foundation, (as the older saints would say),  I thanked the Lord for answering my prayer of safety and protection. I was more than relieved.

Then I heard Him ask again, "Do you trust Me?"

Then it began to unfold.  I was so focused on the bumps and drops during the storm, that I didn't trust the one who I had just told I trusted.  I didn't remember that He was a deliverer or a protector. I didn't even remember my own prayer!

I thanked him for answered prayer after it was over but I did not trust Him during the process.

He even showed me in the faces of the flight attendants that we were fine, and I questioned the assurance. *sigh*

And OF COURSE I remembered Matthew 8:23-27

And He got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying "Save us, Lord. we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose an rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?"

Nope. Not one of my best moments. Now I can laugh at my foolery. I was insane!

Even though I was such a mess, He still calmed the storm and landed that plane. In spite of my response, He remained God and in control.

Oh how I love Him!

I could keep going on and on about this one.So many lessons from this one flight but I will leave you with this...

He loved me enough to show me that my perception of our relationship is not always reality. He showed me that trust is by experience like any good and healthy relationship.

The only way to get to know Him is by experiencing Him. I can hear and read about His deliverance but I will never fully know Him until I have been delivered. I will never know Him as a provider if I've never needed provision.

So many of us are going through some really tough times. These are difficult days. Can I just encourage you to keep your focus one the One who speaks to the winds of your situation?

I know it's easier said than done when you are in the bumps, sways, and drops. But He has promised in Psalm 34:19:

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

He's there. Holding you. Protecting you. He's in control.

Do you trust Him?

Blessings!

copyright 2015 www.shundriaridick.com All rights reserved.

Water, Water, Everywhere!

It's been so long!

Actually, it's been a year. What happened you ask?  Life. Husband. Children. Orchestra. Mariachi. Basketball. Volleyball. Work. Trained for a Marathon. Ran a Marathon. And so on.

What hasn't happened?  SLEEP!

During this last year, I've had plenty of time to think and process about life, work, kids, health, weight and fitness. However, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought about purpose. Not one.

From as long as I remember I've been told that I have a purpose. I've heard countless messages and sermons about it.  I've been involved in bible study groups and taken assessments regarding my purpose. Goodness, I think I spend most of my days guiding others towards theirs.

It's not that I don't know my purpose. I do. It's starting that makes me feel like I'm trying to climb Mount Everest while using an App. Ill equipped!

What happens when you know your purpose but have no idea how to execute?  You know but there's no map. No directions. No way of knowing how to even start. Is there an app for that?

What happens when you know and try to start but run into people who are thriving? They are working brilliantly at theirs.  What about the feelings of being stuck? What about the feelings of being unprepared? Feelings of inadequacy. What about paralyzing FEAR?

I know the scriptures about not having a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7 to be exact) I know about power, love and a sound mind.  I know. I know! But what about when you know and still can't move. You can't breathe. You think to yourself "What if I fail? What if everyone finds out who I really am? Inadequate!"

I was recently on a road trip with two of my dearest friends, Chrystal Hurst and Priscilla Shirer. As many of our conversations go, we begin getting into each other's business!  Asking questions and eventually holding each other accountable regarding some situation, project or plan.  For some reason today I was on the hot seat!

I'm still trying to figure out how it happened!

So I sat there answering question after question. They were holding me accountable. They know my passion and I have shared with them on many occasions what I love to do most. They have always been gentle in their support but  this day was different. While discussing my plans of walking in my purpose, the conversation got serious. Oh LAWD! They were drilling me about why I was stalling.

They were DRILLING me!

I felt like going into fetal position and rocking. (I'm being a bit melodramatic!)

Chrystal only asked one question but it felt like a million!  "What's your plan?"

I started to sweat and babble. Something about monkeys, wizards and wind.

Then it happened.

I cracked!

I lost it!

"I'm not ready! I'm scared." 

I just knew that these two sisters in Christ would lovingly support me. I felt myself vulnerable. Worried about exposing my deepest feelings. I knew that they would stop the car, hold me and let me weep into their loving arms.

Well...

Priscilla turned to me and with great certainty and volume said "Do it anyway! The enemy is attacking you and you can't let him stop you from moving forward. With all of that fear and uncertainty, you have to GET OUT OF THE BOAT ANYWAY!"

I looked to Chrystal for rescue. She looked at me. She nodded and said "Yep." (no rescue!) Thanks.

In my head, "There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

I turned to look out the window and immediately I saw this scripture boldly displayed on a fence on side of the highway:

Commit your ways unto the Lord and He will establish Your thoughts. Proverbs 16:3

I thought "Chrystal, Priscilla, and the Lord are all ON ME!" I laughed, let go, and decided to get out of the boat. Not the car! :)

It's wonderful to have friends in life that listen to you and love you. But it's a blessing to have friends that are bold enough to challenge you. (Btw...those two wonderful women wiped my tears. Stood me up. Held my hand. And continue to walk beside me. I love them dearly.)

I was quickly reminded of a recent family vacation. We went on a snorkeling excursion and had the exciting opportunity to jump off the top of a boat into the ocean. I still marvel at the beauty of God's creation. The kids decided that they wanted to jump. I decided to photograph their decision!

They jumped. No worries. No hesitations. No life preservers. One at a time. They jumped.

Baby Boy!

Sweet Girl!

Big Boy!

There is one important thing that you can't see in these pictures. It's what gave them their courage. It's what made it look so easy for them. It's what made them look so brave.

Their father is in the water!

He instructed them prior to their plunge, "When you jump in, just swim towards me. Don't worry. I'm here. I got you. Just swim in my direction."

The Lord is telling me and you to jump and swim towards Him! He's in the water. He wants us to keep our focus on Him.

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8  

JUMP! 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Go into your purpose even though you feel ill equipped, inadequate, not ready, or not smart enough.

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7

As Priscilla told me "Sometimes you have to get out of the boat. Scared and all. Just walk on the water anyway."

Let's do it together. Let's dive into our Purpose! Let's pray for each other. Let's surround ourselves with friends that lovingly challenge us. Let's Jump.

He's there.

Let's swim towards HIM!

1....2.....3!

Blessings!




copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com All rights reserved. Images for this blog only.