Click video to see Blackbeard wearing backpack!
Last year about this time, my younger son eagerly woke up and said, “I want to have a relaxing breakfast at school!” He had everything ready! He had his snacks and shoes in his new backpack that he got for Christmas! He quickly ran outside and waited patiently in the van for all of us! In the meantime, my other children had their own agenda! My daughter took her time choosing her clothes! As she went outside to load up in the van, she decided ,last minute, that she wanted matching bracelets! As I’m heading out the door, my daughter ran back into the house! I looked to see what she was doing and saw my older son sitting at the kitchen table! He decided not to eat at school and poured himself a bowl of cereal! In frustration, my younger son left the van door open, came running back into the house checking to see why everyone was taking so long! During that time, Blackbeard snuck in the van and tried to get his snack from inside the backpack! When we finally loaded up, he noticed his backpack wasn’t on the seat where he left it! God pushed the reset button! We went on a rescue mission and after a few minutes of searching, we couldn’t find it! So off to school we went! On the way home there was Blackbeard limping, and falling on his face! He was in obvious trouble! My older son’s helped me chase him down to rescue him from his burden! Somehow he managed to put the backpack over his head and around his body! Once he was free, he started leaping and kicking with joy! My son’s brand new backpack smelled so bad! There was nothing I could do to get the goat smell out of his backpack!
Everyday is a gift full of interesting adventures! God shows himself to us in amazing ways! When our day is uniquely filled with colorful webs of things to do! When I seek Him first, God untangles my day! He says my yoke is easy. I literally experience peace while my day unfolds, even in all the noise! God who orders each step has Divine appointments set up in advance! He helps me up when I’m tangled like a Billy Goat Blackbeard”, and brings sisters and brothers in Christ to help me along my journey! However, there was a time where I couldn’t reach sisters and brothers in Christ! In the fallen moments crawling in the Valleys, where it seemed like everyone was just watching from a distance! I was never alone, those thoughts during that time were only mirages “lies” to keep me stuck just like Blackbeard! His friend was nearby but he didn’t notice because he was lost in his circumstance! 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, we need to be sober minded choosing to seek God in everything! When we continually pray about everything and are thankful no matter what, even when our situation doesn’t change, you will have a peace that can not be taken from you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ). It’s not that you’re unaware or ignoring what’s going on around you, it’s that you see who is bigger than what is going on around you! God will never leave you or ever forsake you (Hebrew 13:5). We are surrounded by a cloud of witness, and I’m so thankful for everyone God brought into my life (Hebrews 12).
The blessings unfold in the adventure! If I didn’t slow down long enough to listen and be still! I would never have seen the beautiful valley! In the valley we can meet amazing people! I saw so many busy people wanting to connect but not enough time! It’s not because they don’t care, it’s just that they are unable to see (Mark 4:1-9). Just like how my kids were busy getting ready for school, they were unaware of how their choices affected each other’s morning. Most people don’t get up one morning and decide they want to hurt someone! Through the cares of the world and struggles in life, circumstances and misunderstandings cause stumbling blocks in our day! God doesn’t want anyone to be lost and is patient with us! I’m thankful for God’s great love, grace and mercy for me and everyone! There was nothing I did to earn this love because He loved me before I was born (Psalm 139). We are His workmanship made in Christ Jesus. I’m thankful for Everything and will wait for his perfect timing! I trust His ways and will hold on tight to His guidance through the Holy Spirit! I will cling to His truth and will not conform to the patterns of this world but continually be transformed for the work he planned for me in advance! I will not give up and I will not add water to the word of God (Matthew 5:13-16). I’m Consumed by His radiant light of Love ready to make every step count with the Kingdom mindset goal of loving others as much as He called us to do. When you focus on that speck of light, it will grow!
Blackbeard following
John 10:11-18
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd;
I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
John 10:27-30
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
James 1:1-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Matthew 11:28-30
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.”
Revelations 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Ya I you don’t much for sharing this. It is a good reminder for us to remain still and have reflection on whatever situation we may be in. Things may be going well or not so well at the time but in everything we need to give thanks to Jesus. It is because of Him and his sacrifice that we get to opportunity each day to glorify him in all we do. Thank you for sharing and the story and example of Blackbeard.
Please forgive me of the first sentence.
It was supposed to say thank you so much for sharing this.