MOSQUITOS, SLAMMED DOORS, AND DISCERNED DIRECTION
As I sit here on the deck of our rented temporary home in Chesapeake, VA on this early morning, I am surrounded by You, God. The clouds are sparse yet covering the entire sky above me. They appear to be gliding by rather quickly, though the air around me is completely still and calm. The mist settling over the forest of trees is just lovely and the grass is wearing a glimmering coat of soft dew.
I can notice and take all of this beauty in because I have sprayed away the mosquitos with my new beloved friend, Off. Isn’t the enemy just like that? Buzzing annoyingly in our ears as we try to focus on You? Sometimes biting with a small sting, or worse, multiple bites all over with swollen welts and the annoying itch that reminds us of his persistent attack.
Yet my verse today on my Bible app is “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12. Paul was leading God’s people through the same sorts of ups and downs, trials and blessings, afflictions and hopes that we humans face today. Even our children’s children will face trials and growth, attacks from the enemy and rebuking.
In this moment, another verse comes to mind “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. He can do all things. He created these lovely trees, the grass and the dew that settles on it every night. He created me and set the course for us on this adventure. He created each of you, each person, and lays the paths for you as well. Every singe nitty gritty detail matters to God Almighty. (After all, He even created man with the intelligence to invent Off spray so we could enjoy these moments in peace.) He is so big, so grand, yet so present in every single small space of our minds, hearts, thoughts, and lives.
So, I go back to the mosquitos and being joyful, patient, and faithful. Yesterday we drove over six hours round trip with eager child-like anticipation to see a catamaran, which upon entering one step into the door, we realized we could not stand up straight. Seriously. My short family ranging from 5’5, 5’2, 4’11, and 4’7 could not stand up straight inside this boat with less than 5’ headroom. I mean, we are used to short jokes but this is ridiculous. To say I was annoyed was an understatement.
Yet as we drove away, smirk on my face and humorous smile on my husband’s, I saw the irony in it. God was showing us a very clearly shut door. I prayed for it. Lord knows, I prayed many times for God to close the doors He wanted closed and to open the doors He wanted open for us to be exactly aligned with His will. Had we stopped to pray before making that impulsive drive, we might have known it wasn’t the right path for us. Or maybe not, maybe it was meant to be, to learn the lesson. Either way we turned to joy, patience, and faithfulness in prayer as we shared a wonderful meal and fellowship together after viewing the boat.
God is clearly holding us. He has opened so many doors with such ease, we almost take it for granted. He has closed doors abruptly because they were not the right way. It makes me think of a loving father with his toddler, lifting him in the swing, sliding down the slide together, joyfully giggling, yet firmly pulling small hands away from outlets and danger. We really need this kind of direction right now. I am grateful for it and will rejoice in the discernment of my Almighty Father.
