Sweet Aroma of Fierce Faith

I personally believe every region has their scary critters, and many of us have our deep seeded fears of those creepy, scaly, menacing residents in the wild. Mine happens to be rattle snakes. Eeegh! Just the sound they make causes my skin to crawl! I know many share my feelings on this, and here in the desert they are abundant!

We've lived in this beautiful desert for well, over 24 years now. I can, thankfully, count on one hand how many times I've had the great displeasure of running into one of these guys. However, a few years back, I was on a photo shoot with one of my families, and had a very unfortunate meet up with a very grumpy rattler. It was sunning quietly on the side of the path that we were walking down, and when we disturbed its morning nap, well, I do not have to tell you just how very angry it was. The precious pup of the family I was working with had walked right into it and had gotten all tangled up! I think that snake was just as surprised as we were really! He finally rattled his disapproval and after being untangled from the dog, decided to take a lunge at me! Now, before you get too concerned, I will tell you that all ended well, by the grace of God. The pup got rushed to the vet. Received antivenom. Suffered a fat tongue for a few weeks and recovered, we were all understandably extremely shaken up after that. If that wasn't enough, just a week later, my daughter and I were out for a morning walk. We decided to cut through this desert path and no sooner did we start on it, we heard this creepily familiar sound. There it was! Sitting straight up in strike position. Good grief! That was it! I was done taking walks in the desert from that moment! I even started avoiding setting up photo shoots in the desert. And definitely, did not take walks down that path anymore! I'd say fear had its strong grip on me at that point.

For years now I've avoided that path as much as I possibly can on our summer morning walks. That's when those boogers are out the most. I'd walk all the way around to the other neighborhood if I needed. You can only avoid something for so long though. Eventually you have to face it to move on, or over, or through it.

Kuruk and I were out for our 3 mile wog this morning. That's a very fast paced walk for those of you that don't know. We headed out of our neighborhood down road and up around to the path in front of the schools as always. I had a good motivating lesson playing in the head phone about facing our giants. Ironic huh? Well anyways, a thought came to me that had to be from the Lord, because I sure as heck had not the slightest desire to ever visit that path at this time in the morning on a summer day, "Take that desert path between the neighborhoods." That's what came to me. "What? That's not a good idea!" I thought back. Yes, we have these discussions often. I can be a very stuborn child at times. "Why ever in the world would I do that?" The thought just steadily remained and I could feel the tension in my body start to well up as it would not go away. He has a way of just lingering with me when He wants me to do something, I've noticed. So, eventually, as always, I reluctantly started in that direction. But, not until I had given every excuse not to. Finally, I just admitted, "I'm scared okay!" I must have been walking in that direction the entire time I was listening to the lesson, and arguing about facing my fears because all of a sudden I was standing right in front of the path.

It's funny how He does that. He provides encouragement and direction while we're still making excuses and trying to muster up the courage to face our fear, or our giant... or our snakes.

So many thoughts and questions flooded my mind as I approached. Then just as I was about to turn and once again go the opposite direction, a verse came to my mind. Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear for I am with you."

He does that a lot too. I will be sitting there questioning, doubting, and second guessing what He has directed me to do. I know it's Him because it's subtle quiet and steady, then He reminds me of His promises with a verse from His word. Inevitably, a peace washes over me and I feel a strength rise up within that I did not have before. The fear doesn't seem as powerful as before. Eventually, it fades to almost nothingness, and then it's gone.

We did make it through the path to the other neighborhood, and with no scary characters popping up to intimidate us. As we emerged out of the desert, we were met with a wall of the sweetest smelling honeysuckle. What a treat! Something we would have missed if I had not trusted God's promise, faced my fear and gone a different direction. It takes some effort on our part too you know. We have to choose to trust Him enough to obey. I find myself saying the words to that old hymn a lot lately, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy with Jesus, than to trust and obey." Thanks momma!

Yes, fear is there and it can be strong. Sometimes, strong enough to keep us from taking that chance or journey. But, God has made a promise that He is there with you. He will not forsake you. He will get you through it and He will provide everything you need to get through it. Just like He promised Moses and Noah and many many others we read about. You are not alone. All you have to do is trust Him and follow His directions.

There is always a good and perfect plan He has for what we face. It's never wasted and the reward... oh, the reward! It's always beyond what you can imagine by yourself. More clarity and belief in who you are to God and in the strength He has given you. A stronger faith in Him and His plan for you. The sweetest aroma of His faithfulness and love.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Isaiah 41:10