My Featured Blogger this week is Kara Luker of where waves grow sweet. Kara is my friend (only online, but we are friends nevertheless). And in knowing her I’ve come to know a wise and loving human being who has journeyed from joy, to unimaginable loss, to overcoming power. And who shares her journey with those who are blessed to follow her. To read more, click here!
Audio version of this post:
Sometimes my dog, Sunny, gets in a bind. It usually has to do with the thing she loves more than anything in the world: Her frisbee. Maybe she’s dropped it in the pool and it’s floating beyond her grasp. Maybe I’ve thrown it into a tree where a branch holds it high above her reach. Her response is always the same. She frantically tries to retrieve it while incessantly barking, her eyes fixed on the object of her desire. This is when I ask the only question in our arsenal of commands; one that was born of necessity….. “Help?”
When I first began using that word, she would continue her futile attempts, barking even louder in response to my attention so I could understand the full extent of her distress. But now when she hears it, her eyes move from her problem to me. “Yes, I do want help,” she seems to say as she stops barking and becomes still. She waits for me to do what she can’t. And I do. Every single time.
I’ve noticed how much we – all of mankind, really – can be like Sunny in our panicked moments when something that holds value to us is out of our reach; when we feel stuck and see no way to resolve the problem or alleviate our fear and stress. How easy it is for us to make a lot of noise to express the full extent of our distress and repeatedly attempt to solve our problem in a way that hasn’t worked; that will never work.
Problems are actually a gift that way. When our illusion of control is challenged enough for us to see that we don’t have the solution, we are forced to reckon with our weakness and inability. Will we turn our eyes to the Master who is always there beside us asking “Help?” or will we continue to strive in futility, our eyes fixed on the object of our desire? It is a question, not a command, and it is entirely up to us.
If we do choose to turn our attention to Him, we will find peace before there has yet been a solution. Maybe not the first time around. Like with Sunny, trust takes time to build. But as we practice saying “Yes, I do want help” or “Yes, I need help,” we will come to see His provision. It may not always look like what we thought, but it will be there. Every single time. And it will forever change the way we see and operate.
We will become people who, when faced with trials, will look immediately to God to handle what we can’t because we have seen time and time again that He is able. We will lay down our struggles and become still, waiting on His solution because His reach is far higher and better than ours. We will develop compassion for others whom we might otherwise have judged for their weakness, offering undeserved kindness, because we ourselves have experienced the humble, miraculous joy of receiving help in our time of need. We will be people who will no longer be mastered by fear because our true Master has captured our vision and trust.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
~Psalm 46:10
Omygoodness, this is wonderful!
Master-full illustration and meditation on truths we often — in our desperation — forget. (And Sunny’s so cute!!) Thank you, Kara, and Mitch for sharing!
I’m sharing the word “faithful” with children on Sunday. This is a good example to share with them. Thank you.
My pleasure, DK, and Kara’s too, I’m sure.
God seems to bring this verse to my attention again and again (I guess I need reminding! ☺️) Thank you Kara for a lovely presentation! And thank you Mitch for introducing us to Kara.
My privilege, Dana.
❤️❤️❤️
What a cute dog! She almost doesn’t look real, more like a teddy bear rather than a dog.
Such an excellent way of articulating, with words,illustrations and ending with the Word of psalmist, wait patiently, believe and trust God.Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Good words, we all should adhere to.
Boy, THIS one sure seemed to get a lot of people right where they live, huh? 👍
Good reminder
If there’s a dog in a story, I’m hooked. Kara’s experience with Sunny tied in nicely with the Christian message she shared. Thanks for featuring her, Mitch! 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy.
What a perfectly crafted metaphor! And a timely reminder of the true source of help and hope. thank you for sharing Kara with us, Mitch.
What a perfectly crafted metaphor! And a timely reminder of the true source of help and hope. thank you for sharing Kara and her thoughtful writing with us, Mitch.
My privilege, Russell.
Always grow 🎂 Sweet
Mitch, I know we are ‘only’ online friends but you are one of my favorites! Thank you for reading and sharing my blog and also for being such a faithful, playful and very creative truth teller! ❤️
Aw, bless you, Kara. Honestly, you’re one of my faves too. And thank you for doing the same, dear friend!
mitch how many verses psalms 21 you mentioned chapter 46
Psalm 46 has 11 verses, Rudy.
how many does chapter 21 has
Psalm 21 has 23 verses, Rudy.
Loved Kara’s blog. I went back and read other postings of hers. What kind of dog is Sunny? That face is adorable.
Might an Old English Sheepdog, but I’m not sure. Kara’s the one to answer the question.
Wonderful words Mitch. ❤️
Beautiful story, lesson and pup! Thanks for sharing Kara’s blog!