Almost There
ROD AND GOD
by Nancy Carlson
I have a favorite son-in-law: Rod. He’s my only son-in-law, but if I had a dozen more, Rod would still be my favorite.
Every member of my family is my ‘favorite’, but this isn’t about them this time. This is a story about Rod . . . and God.
Rod showed up in our lives one Saturday morning. Our daughter, Susan, then a senior in high school was taking advantage of a no-school day, and still snuggled in bed.
A knock on the front door, and there stood a scruffy looking young man asking if he could see our daughter. "No! She’s still in bed.”
“I’ll come back later,” he answered and left.
Obviously, there were some questions when Susan got up, but long story short, she ended up marrying him (and trust me, it is a long story.)
Rod showed up at my door again this past Sunday. He came over to walk with me at the High School track, knowing I’d been home, avoiding contact with others, being among the many hoping to avoid a Virus that is sweeping through our world. As one of the ’seniors’ (a high-risk category), my family has lovingly quarantined me, checking in several times a day. Rod decided to come to my rescue.
As we walked around the track, I told him he could run ahead, but he’d already been out on his morning run. This time, this walk, was for me. When I got back home, I recalled another walk with Rod.
Twelve years ago, after my husband left to be with Jesus, I joined a one-on-one health club and exercised three times a week. It was time to get in shape so I could be fit and not a burden on my children . . . but I wanted to keep it a secret. Every year some of us spent a family time at Sunriver, and I was usually pushing my bike up the hills while the rest of them zipped right along on the bike trails.
This year I planned to ‘zip’ with them. “Surprise!” We both were.
So we decided to try for the Gold and left one afternoon for Crater Lake. The plan? We would walk the mile down from the rim to the lake and the mile back up again. I was so proud of myself and made it down and back . . . almost. The last few yards at the top of the trail had been re-sanded and it was the most difficult part of the journey. I was breathing hard, while Rod walked beside me.
“You can do this!” he said. “You can do this, you’re almost there!” And I did. The family stood at the top and applauded.
That moment and this day, this week, this difficult ‘Journey’ of a Virus that is keeping people confined, that’s changing our world, that is an inconvenience to most of us, but is also tragically taking lives, has reminded me that last time I checked, God is still in charge. A walk on the track with my son-in-law took me back to that day on the Crater Lake trail. Rod that day reminded me of the Holy Spirit. Rod and God! (Not necessarily in that order!)
We all want to finish this journey. We are tired, afraid, wondering what’s next, or will there be a ‘next’? Yes!
“You can do this!” God says, “You can do this!” He says it because HE walks beside us. That’s His promise. "You can do this,” He says, "you’re almost there!”
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17 ESV).
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4 ESV).
OPPORTUNITIES
Do you like to write to encourage others in their faith in Christ? Would you consider writing a brief article for the Women’s Newsletter? Contact Marcia for more information.
The Women’s Ministry leadership team is beginning to plan for next year. Though we don’t know exactly what the route will look like, we do know the desired destination won’t change—it’s always “for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). We also know that we need each other on the journey. Paul urges us in Philippians to be “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). If you are passionate about these things, would you consider hopping in the car and helping toward that destination? Contact the Women’s Ministry team. We would love to talk with you about how you might serve.
1ST THURSDAY CONNECT
1st Thursday Connect is going online via Zoom May 7th at 7 PM! It should be an adventure! We will see faces—yippee!—have fun, try some singing, learn from Philippians and start Ephesians for May.
Resources for Ephesians will be mailed to women on the church mailing list. Resources for reading Ephesians in May are also on the church website and can be accessed or printed as needed.
We encourage you to ask another woman to partner with you and go through the One-to-One Bible Reading for Ephesians in May. You can meet over Zoom, by phone, or any other safe way available to you. Thankfully, there are many ways for us to continue to connect with each other in God’s Word.
Would you like to make a video greeting for 1st Thursday Connect? Record yourself saying hi, your name, and a 10 second word of encouragement to the women of New Life Church. Text it to Gay Haugen at 503-319-6438 by Sunday, May 3rd. Thank you!
LINKS
Here are some links to articles or books or music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church. Enjoy!
Before Your Suffering Comes: Five Rocks to Put Beneath Your Feet by John Piper @Desiring God—Important and pairs well with our Sunday sermon series in Job.
Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me by CityAlight—learn this one to prep for Thursday, May 7th!