Waterfalls

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: You can't pull yourself up by your own bootstraps without falling on your face.

Have you ever noticed that though a waterfall looks the same, it is always changing? Though it looks like it simply "is" there is so much more going on. The waterfall may look the same, but the water flowing over the rocks is never the same water. There is no recycling pump. Each wash of the water over the rocks is water that has never been there before. It could be water fed from another river, water from melting snow in the spring or refreshing water of the many spring and summer showers we have here in North Carolina. And while the falls never seem to relocate, they are constantly bringing change. Don't believe me? Next time you go to a creek or a river, find those little "falls" and rub the rock under the "falls". You will find that they are worn smooth with the constant flowing of the falls.

Life is like that too. It may seem that a year is just a constant flow of days and things don't change much, but the events of our lives are just like the water - ever changing, ever new, ever fresh. And we like the rocks change with them. The question is, how are we changing? Are we becoming smoother or just falling apart?

In recent months I have been experiencing a constant "flow" of events among my family and friends. I tried to "hold my own", survive the emotional torrent and pull myself together on my own, but found myself breaking apart under the pressure. My heavenly Father spoke sweetly to me and reminded me: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

What a word! I so needed it. It is true that apart from God we can do nothing. I am the prime example of stubborn pride and the "I can do it myself" mentality. Thank God for His grace that reminds me that I was not created to live apart from Him. I have since repented and now with great joy and peace I fall back on His broad shoulders and loving embrace and allow Him to carry me through these troubled waters and I float along rather than wearing myself out swimming against the current.

My prayer today is that as you go through life and experience "turbulence" in your life, that you bring yourself to the feet of Jesus and let Him guide you and take care of you. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." I am living proof that what He says is true. If you find yourself weary, come to Jesus - He will carry you through every time!