Stay Focused

As I lay in bed this morning, before I'm really ready to face my day, my thoughts wander into the past. Mourning the “if onlys” and “I wishes”. I remind myself to shake off what isn't and give my heart to God, to mend and protect.

My thoughts then venture into the future, imagining what I'd like my next home to be. I imagine the rural setting that I'd like. I see myself, alone in my little house, with big windows looking out over my flowers...and start to be afraid. The crime rate is higher where I'm going. And I have to remind myself, again, that God is with me and leading me.

When I opened my Random Book of Devotions this morning it said, “Face Your Fears”. Isn't God great?....And funny? “In a moment of unwavering faith, we step out of our boat – out of our comfort zone – and walk toward Jesus. ...then just as suddenly as we began, we stop focusing on Jesus. ...Our faith vanishes, and as we begin to descend beneath the waves of discouragement (and fear) we cry out, Lord, save me!”

And, of course, he does.

Matthew 14:28-31 says:

And Peter answered unto him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come

unto thee on the water. And he said “come”. And when Peter was come

down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when

he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and began to sink, he cried,

saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth is hand

and caught him, and said unto him; O, thou of little faith, wherefore didst

thou doubt?

There's many lessons to take from this scripture; but today... for me... I hear Almighty God saying my name. Renata. I'm here. You're important to me. I hear him telling me to keep my eyes on him. It's when I take my eyes off of God that things/life gets blurry and scary. And, truth be told, I'm sure my heart wouldn't have been hurt the way it's been, if I hadn't looked away and lost focus.

Thank you, Father, for the letter you wrote to me. Thank you, that it meets Renata right here, where I am today on November 3, 2010. Your letter might as well have my name printed on it's pages, as it is so specific to me.

And thank you, God, that you hold the fears of my yesterdays, of today, and my tomorrows in your hands.

Be with me, Lord, as I step out. I pray, Lord, that my eyes stay on you as I walk into tomorrow.