A-L-Stellhorn@msn.com

“For the Lord says, ‘Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation.”” Psalms 91:14-16

                                             THE LONG, HARD ROAD

Oh, how do I begin, there is so much to tell about the journey I walk. Oh, to have you believe and know how much your Father loves you and will answer your every plea, and the comfort He sends, fills my soul with glorious Praises.

Knowing that he does not always answer your plea the way you want cannot be an escape for you not to go to Him and talk to Him.

A deep place within each of us takes the assualt of any darkness that covers the road we travel. Like the brownish filth that invades the rivers during floods, that same type of filth can cover our roads as we travel. When that silt of filth flows into our soul it travels over body and soul causing us physical and emotional pain.

Yesterday I had such a jab to my gut. I read about the flooding in my extended family’s hometown in southern Illinois. I lived there as a child for a while and my Mother moved from there 8 months before she journeyed to Heaven. Seeing the murky brown water covering the farmland and knowing it invaded my cousin’s home brought me that jab of pain. Not only did I hurt for my family, I continue to hurt for the whole world. Memories of my Mama welled up in my heart and brought sorrow to me. I miss my Mama, as I know you all have someone you miss. You know where I went, to my Father.

This day, as I journeyed brought a near auto accident in my path, my fault, the other person’s fault, causing another jab of pain. How often we hurry when we should not and how often He is there to protect us from our foolishness. I must express my belief that, apparently, He still has a plan for me and the other person involved, for that near miss was a reminder to me of such a plan.

At the close of the day I called my son, I needed to admit and repent of a comment I had made about someone. My son reminded me, when I made the comment I should not make such judgments, however he did this in a very kind way. During the course of our conversation, we talked about what he should do about a particular action in his life he should take.

I also, again, reminded him of his need to take everything to God in prayer. Sometimes, we as humans, foolishly think we need not bother God with all the twists and turns of this road, we follow. That is not the case. I reminded him how much I appreciate it when he confides in me about questions in life he has. Then, how much greater is the love of God for us then the love of a mother for her child. If I have such an abundance of love for my son, think upon the much greater love God has for each of us.

We ended our conversation and I proceeded to take my shower. So often, while showering I seem to be in a constant nearness to the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it is the cleansing of the days’ woes and dirt that washes off me, which soothes my soul. I feel this is a symbolism of earthly cleansing reminding me of the baptism of the Holy Spirit cleansing my sins. Nevertheless, I did not finish my shower because a nudging was so strong. I got out of the shower, covered and called my son.

Standing there with shampoo in my hair, talking to him, giving him the message I had to give was a bit odd, indeed. As we finished our conversation, he said to me, “I want to play something for you.” He began to sing, “When the road is long and hard remember to talk to the Old Man above, in the morning and in the evening, while you’re driving”….you get the point I am making.

He wrote this song in less than 20 minutes, after I called him the first time this evening. Of course, there are more words and music before the song is finished, but I know he will finish it, soon.

After saying our good-byes, I then finished my shower and while doing so I wept. I wept aloud, as no one was home except my cats and me. Strangely enough, my husband worked late this night so I felt very free to let the water course over my body, head to toe as I wept tears of joy. My tears intermingled with the freshness of the water bringing a relief from the troubles of the day and washed over me the greatest feeling of joyous Praises to God. Praises from the depth of my very soul, because I listened and acted upon the direction God sent to me, as well as had my son, listened.

I cannot express enough my encouragement for each of you to go forth daily and talk to Our Father in Heaven. Thank Him for the many blessings, for you know, you have them. You may think you do not, but you do! No matter where you are in life’s situation, you are not in Burma; you have opportunities to reach out for help, and get it fairly soon; you have freedom of speaking out on issues of politics and life; you have freedom to worship however you worship; and you have Love from your Father, whatever you have done, as does every living human on earth.

Pour out your heart to God, weep, scream, sit silently, however you feel, He will understand. If you are hurting and you feel He has not answered your plea, talk to Him again and ask Him to help you listen. You, like a spoiled child, can become angry because you did not get your way, from His answer. I know if you will really listen, He sends the answer your NEED.

Dear God, help us to trust in Your answers to us when we call out in our trouble. Help us to talk to You, in the morning, in the evening, while driving, while doing dishes, while showering, while doing anything we do. Help us to believe that You hear us, and want us to talk with You, as Your “line” is always open. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Love and
I remain His humble servant,

Copyright Leigh Moran