Show Me

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long."

Psalm 25:4 (NIV)

"I am so sorry sweetheart, but I just don't understand what you are saying; take Mommy's hand and show me." These are the words I often spoke to my daughter when she was just beginning to talk because I couldn't always understand what she was trying to say. I'm certain she could read in my face the complete lack of understanding of what she was trying so hard to convey. The expression on her face, a mixture of disappointment and hurt, made me desperate to figure out what she wanted to communicate. Finally, I grasped her little hand and asked her to 'show me'. Together, we toddled off to see what she was saying and that's where her expression met my comprehension and there was understanding.

Once she caught on, my little girl would often take my hand and she would say to me "show me", mimicking my words and with her face full of expectancy she would pull me toward whatever it was she wanted me see or do for her.

There are times in my life when I face circumstances, crossroads and challenges and I find that God's voice is not clear to me - I struggle with 'not getting' what Scripture is saying to me and I cannot discern God's answers to my prayers. Dreams and visions that I know are from God are beyond my comprehension. Being desperate to understand, I cry out to God; reach out to grasp His hand and ask Him to 'show me'. During these times, I also struggle with feelings of failure. I imagine the expression on God's face to be the same as my daughter's when I couldn't comprehend her words. I believe God to be disappointed and hurt that His message is not registering with me. As a mom, I felt guilty because I believed I should be able to understand my daughter, and as a Christian, I feel guilty because I believe that I should always be able to understand what God is saying to me.

It's during these times, I'm grateful for Scriptures I do understand, like 1 Corinthians 13:12 that continues to remind me that "we don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in the fog, peering through a mist (Msg)." On this side of heaven, we will not have complete understanding. God is not disappointed in my lack of perception as long as I have heart that listens and is open to Him. I have his love and His love never fails. He will patiently persevere with me until I grasp His hand and ask Him to once again 'show me.'

Then amazingly enough, before long either through prayer, a sermon, or even circumstances there comes that 'aha' moment when my comprehension meets God's expression and there is understanding.

Join the Journey

I love to travel. I love to plan my trips, I love to pack for my trips, and I love to go. I don't really care where. I'm happy with a long-weekend, a romantic getaway with my husband, the family vacation, and long trips abroad. I want to see the world - all of it. I love car trips, even long ones and while 9/11 has taken the fun out of air travel, I'm willing to shuffle through security with my 3oz of shampoo so I can see what's out there and meet people who aren't like me.

I love to sit on a beach or by a pool with a good book, but I also love to spend days taking in the sights, sounds and smells of someplace new. I enjoy theme parks, water parks and National parks. Cities, mountains and coastline are all wonderful. I just need the time and money, and I'll go.

Truth be told though, there are more enjoyable ways of travelling than others. Throughout the years, I've spent many an hour staring out a car window travelling on our nations highly efficient, but mostly monotonous interstate system with so much of the scenery hidden by tree lines to block the sound and never ending billboards. These roads were built along routes chosen because they were the path of least resistance. So much beauty and interest lost to expediency.

The ribbons of interstate are easy to negotiate - easy access with predictable food and lodging. You can find the same restaurant on an exit in Pennsylvania as on an exit in New Mexico; the motel room you slept in last night will look pretty much the same as the room you will sleep in tonight.

The back roads are more surprising, you just don't know what you'll find, but you have a much better chance of finding the scenic views, unexpected sights and experiences that make the journey as much of the trip as the destination. Yes, it's slower. You may find yourself stuck behind grandma and grandpa out for a drive or the farmer slowly pulling a wagon of hay to feed his stock. Yes, it's less convenient. It may take you longer to find somewhere to stay. There may not be a gas station every five miles. Yes, it's not so predictable. You may find the hotel room not so modern as you'd like it. You may find a waitress who is a bit odd or old-fashioned in a diner that's been around forever. However, and oh by goodness the however's ... in that diner, you may find discover the best chicken-fried steak in five states, you may happen to come across a farmer's market with peaches fresh from the tree. You may just wonder upon a view that will take your breath away.

I say all that to say this...I am a person of faith, the Christian faith. I came to know Jesus over twenty-five years ago, but failed to surrender to him completely until several years later when, by His grace I finally came to the end of myself. In other words, I finally left my way for His way. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount, that "broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But...narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I have spent significant time on both roads and I much prefer the narrow road, not just because it leads to eternal life (which is reason enough to stay on it), but also because the journey itself is so much better. The broad road allow for 'personal space' so you can 'do your own thing' on routes that you hope are through paths of least resistance. The narrow road, however, forces us to travel compactly with fellow journeymen and women as we together negotiate obstacles, carry each others' burdens and travel side-by-side among people who may simultaneously annoy and challenge us. And while, we move along the narrow road that all too often goes through the path of most resistance, we also share in the beauty, joy and peace that is provided along the way. The signs along the narrow road don't advertise the worlds wares as they do on the broad road, but they point us to the knowledge that Jesus is the 'way, the truth and the life'.

I invite you to travel along with me as I share about what I've learned along the narrow road. I have souvenirs that I've picked up that serve as reminders of God's faithfulness. I can show you my scars were I've tripped and fallen, but now help me appreciate God's healing in my life. I have no idea where the narrow road leads next, but I'll send you a postcard when I get there.