Is it really October 18th?  I look outside...nearing 80 degrees with sunshine and a light breeze.  Beautiful.  The last few days have been muggy, nice, but muggy.  Probably from that whopper of a storm we had last week.  I have heard our frog again.  His croaking sound disappeared for a long time...I don't know why...but after the rains, he was back, as loud as ever.  It is a funny sound too...I think he is an old frog.  As I think about Mr. Frog under the bushes I am listening to the new birds that have moved into our yard.  They are noisy!  They bicker back and forth all day but mostly at 3:00 in the am!!!  Not so cute.

    Life marches on, time ticks by and we do our best to keep up.  Funny about life...ready or not, like it or not, it moves along and takes us by the hand with it.  We just have to go.  That makes me think of children.  There are those little darlings that grab our hands willingly, obediently and go follow us whereever we go.  They trust our knowledge and ability, completely and fully, to lead them safely through the journey.  How wonderful and it makes for a nice shopping day, know what I mean?  Then...there are those sweetie-pie's that decide they want to tug and pull and complain.  They think their way is best and they want the world to know.  They fight every turn, every command and after a short time, both Momma and the wee one are ready to collapse.  No one is happy.  No one wins and the idea of repeating that episode is not a pleasant one.  Which one are we, when God takes our hands?  Are we the trusting child, knowing that whereever we are taken it will be alright, because God is in the lead?  Or are we that obstinant and angry child, ready to pull and complain about each and every turn?  Interesting thought, isn't it?

    This life is always full of crazy turns and changes.  We have those times that are peaceful and easygoing and then those that require every ounce of our patience and faith just to make it through.  We would prefer the peaceful and easy, of course.  Who likes to endure the difficult??  I have a suggestion...for myself and for anyone that is reading this.  Relax, reach out your little hand and grasp The Father's strong hands.  Let Him lead you.  Let Him  guide your steps and protect you from the storms of life.  Trust Him to keep you safe as your steps take you to the next place in life.  Resist the desire to pull and beg to be left alone.  Resist that feeling inside that screams YOU know best and can take yourself to your destination.  That will only lead you to painful struggle that sends you walking in circles, finding no rest at the end of the journey. 

Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.