Stepping into the Unknown

Mary Frances, 9 years old

When Mary Frances was around 8 or 9, she created an audacious game she loved to play. I am quite sure it left her more exhilarated than a fast ride on her bike down the hill in front of her white farmhouse. The only problem was, she couldn't find anyone to play it with her. Her best friends, Scottie and Emma Jean, flat out refused though she couldn't for the life of her figure out why.

 It was a simple game. There was an shed behind her house next to the woodhouse surrounded by s a deep pile of soft southern sand. If she strategically placed her feet in the proper spots on the adjoining fence, she could climb up to the roof. Then, once atop the shed, she would proceed to close her eyes and    WALK    SLOWLY    TOWARDS    THE     EDGE   OF   THE  ROOF    NOT   KNOWING    WHEN   SHE WOULD   FALL   OFF.

That pile of soft sand saved her again and again. I owe that pile of sand my life.

But I do love to imagine Mom walking into nothingness.   Her heart must have raced, and I bet her cheeks were flushed pink, hair flying wild- a young adrenaline junkie.

"It was fun!" she recalls! "No-one would play it with me," she laments. "I had to do it by myself!"

She stepped into the unknown with the full faith that she would be okay. She never doubted.

And isn't that what we want in life? To have full faith that things will turn out okay? That we can take a chance once and for all?

In Isaiah 43, the prophet Isaiah gives words of comfort and hope to the people of Israel who were in exile in Babylonia. Today we, too can draw comfort and hope from these words - from the beautiful language, especially these verses from the NIV:

1But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;


This protection, this grace, was certainly extended to the young girl incarnation of my mother and even in these, her later days, I see this glimpses of this grace daily.

This grace is offered to us too. Our God is a faithful one who will strengthen and protect us. So in this New Year, take heart! The same grace/protection offered to the ancient people of Israel will see us through our times of trouble.

The start of a new year is a natural time for self-reflection. What have you yet to achieve in your life? What ways of service are tugging at you? Take a risk, try new things, forge new relationships or reestablish old ones, care for you body, your family, your home. Get involved with a volunteer group you've always admired. And do these this with the ultimate faith that God is with you through it all.

Like Mary Frances, step out in the faith and the knowledge that you are a beloved of God and He will be with you.

All you have to do is just take the first step into the unknown!