The area where we live has seen its share of rainfall over the past month.  So much rainfall, in fact, that it has caused some of the main highways to flood.  Our kids have never seen anything like it before, so I took them to see some of the flooded areas this afternoon.

The flooding has caused a lot of commotion and I’m sure it has done a lot of damage.  When my husband told me about something he witnessed today, I felt the need to share my take on it with you.  As he was driving back to work from an appointment today, he saw a flooded field.  There in the middle of the water was a small herd of cattle stranded on an island.  I sincerely hope the cows were able to be rescued, but I haven’t “herd” whether that was the case or not.

Although I know the situation was serious, the picture in my mind seemed humorous…If cows could talk, wouldn’t you love to hear that conversation?

“Umm…Bessie, it looks like we’ve got a problem here. What are we going to doooo?

As Bessie chews on the last bit of grass in sight, she calmly says, “Follow me.”

“But, Bessie!  If the water rises too much more, we are going to be in deep manure!”

Bessie again says, “Draw close to me.”

“Bessie, you’re not hearing me, girl…The water is going to engulf us and we are going to drown!”

Bessie replied by saying, “Don’t “udder” another word…Moooove closer to me.”

I know it’s a silly illustration, but it made me think about how many times in my own life I have worked myself into a state of panic based on what I thought might happen?  How many times have I prayed, asking God to shield me and my family from storms I thought might happen? God was probably thinking, “Laura, how many times are you going to worry about this?  I’ve got it all under control.  I love you. I love Ryan.  Your children were mine before they were yours.  I love them more than you ever could.  Just trust me.”

If given the choice, none of us are going to sign up for rough times.  But, we all know there isn’t anyone who is exempt from bad things happening.  Reality is, if we live long enough, we will have to face tough situations.  As hard as it is to accept, sometimes, tough situations don’t end according to our plans.  God doesn’t want us to live our entire lives in a state of fear, doubt and panic, though.  He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Scripture has been a huge comfort to me over the past year of our cancer journey.  Spending more time in God’s Word and applying it to my life has helped me look at our situation in a different way.  I realized the other day that I pray differently than I used to, as well.  If I were one of those cows a year ago, I would’ve been praying, “Oh, God…please don’t let the waters rise any higher.  I don’t think I can handle it.”  Now, my prayer is, “God, please still my heart, draw me close and help me fix my eyes on you.  I know this situation is too big for me to handle without you in the driver’s seat.  I ask you to intervene in this situation, go before us and prepare the way.  Thank you for your promise to never leave or forsake us.  Thank you for allowing us to feel your constant presence through your word and by the words/actions of others.  Thank you for carrying us through thus far and allowing us not to be consumed. God, you know my heart’s desire.  I know you’re already at the end of this situation and know just how it will play out, so I ask you to direct our paths and provide us with wisdom, comfort and peace beyond our understanding.  Through all of this, I ask that our trials be used to glorify you.”

Nowhere in the bible does it say, “Worry about everything and pray about nothing.”  Actually, it says the exact opposite.  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Nowhere in the bible does it say, “You are on your own…See you at the finish line!”  It actually says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (James 4:8)

Of course, I hope you are never stranded out on an island.  But, sometimes when we are dealing with a situation, we have a tendency to isolate ourselves and begin to feel lonely as if out on an island alone.  It would be nice to always have a “Bessie” by our side that would remind us what to do when waters start rising.  But, if you come to a point in your own life where you feel the waters rising and you don’t know what to do, just remember…Moooove Closer to Him.