My Mother is joining my crazy household…. now there is a phrase that I never thought I would utter, and my mother never thought she would hear!!!
The journey started a few months back with a simple concept of renovating the small garden flatlet at my home to suit Gran’s needs. Project “Granny flat” kicked off with expert architectural input from home cell group members detailing plans with the precision of an army going to war.
The battlefield was prepared – I set about liberating captured items that lay dying in my un-used garage space. This left me thanking St John’s for the annual fete. Who knew I had not one, but THREE antique slide projectors?
As simple as the plans appeared – one is just NEVER ready for the war zone that seems to spring up overnight. A small army hammered, sawed, chopped down trees, knocked out walls and dug foundations to enclose the verandah. It was time to share the emerging shell of a new home to Gran.
Mum and I picked our way through the war-torn battlefield – arriving at THE DITCH (i.e. deeply dug foundations). Picture the scene…
As the proud Captain, I step eagerly over the ditch and into Gran’s abode-to-be. Behind me I hear “I can’t get over that” – Gran is staring at the trench in great trepidation.
“Of course you can” – I confidently respond. “There is a small step inside the ditch – just step down and up onto the little ledge.”
Gran reluctantly steps down into the ditch, and try as she might, even with the captain’s assistance – she finds herself stuck in the ditch. (Dat-da-daaa*scary music)
Eventually we agree that we need the assistance of a much stronger, larger body than either of us. The captain obtains the services of a large, solidly built young lad (in the form of my youngest daughter’s boyfriend). Initially the “Ditched” party is sceptical – “Please don’t drop me” and “where has the ground gone” being two of many comments directed at the Rescuer. The Rescuer was very gentle, kind and patient – assuring the Ditched Granny that she was now in good hands. The Rescue operation provided much entertainment as Granny’s feet waggled around whilst being fireman lifted to safety.
Amid much laughter – as Granny touched ground again – Gran worriedly asked – “How will I ever be able to get into my new home with this ditch in the way?” With more laughter I assure her that the ditch will be gone, as will the entire warzone.
Later I started thinking – can this event not be compared to our walk with God?
Psalm 40 refers to our God as our help – waiting patiently for the Lord. Psalm 40v2 more specifically has reference: –
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand”.
All of us find ourselves in a ditch at some time in our life. We may willingly have been enticed into or stepped into the ditch before we realized that we were stuck there. We may end up in a ditch by accident. Either way – all of us will find ourselves, at one time or another, stuck in a place where we feel trapped, unable to move or where we don’t want to be. To get out of the ditch we need to seek help, stretch out our hands and put our trust in the one who can lift us out. We need to look up, hand over and trust that we will be carried to safety.
Those OUTSIDE of the ditch should be aware of those who may need our help and assurance while they find their way out of the ditch. There is little point in criticizing the person in the ditch for being trapped there, nor focusing on how they came to be there. Rather, we can bring help and assure the person in the hole that the ditch need not be a permanent home.
Our God can be trusted to rescue us from any ditch we may have stepped into. All we need to do is be willing to ask, to hand over, wait and trust in Him to lift us out.
Personally, I am also reminded how viewing the world through the lens of God’s word can change my “Never will I ever…” phrases to “Here I am Lord…” – that is a topic for another day.
Blessings in Christ
Vanessa