Rewrite my story, Lord

By CHERYL CRUCE

Sometimes, looking at the blank screen or a clean piece of paper, a million thoughts run through my head. Memories of yesterday and life lessons taught conjure up so many good emotions that I must write them down. Then there are those days when neither the screen nor the paper is clean, and every thought is a jumbled-up mess of senselessness as I wonder what I will write. It is not only in the writing but in life itself.
Truthfully, the world is a cluttered mess of senselessness, and we all wonder what will happen next. There is chaos on every corner, the news is filled with war, offering little hope for an ending, and anger seems to be the emotion for the day. Nonetheless, it does not have to be. We may never see world peace, yet we can breathe in soul peace. When outside thoughts clutter my writing, I close the screen to meditate on the goodness of God’s word.
I begin to think of a shepherd that leads His sheep to green grasses and cooling waters and not into a place of wanting. As I concentrate on His righteousness and name, restoration begins to happen within my soul. No darkened shadow can cause me to fear because I realize He is my protection. I reflect on a cup that is full and overflowing as a table of goodness is set before me. In my meditation, I see the enemy fall around me as His goodness and mercies fill my spirit. There is an unexplainable peace in knowing I will dwell in the house of my Lord for eternity (Psalm 23).
The Word of God frees my thoughts as I turn the chaos over to His will. This practice did not happen overnight. It is a process of learning that began in my youth. I watched the faith of my parents sustain them through difficult times. I recognized the strength they found in the Holy Scripture, and I began reading it for myself. My parents learned their faith from their parents and so on. Generational faith is an eternal heritage that must be passed on.
The Apostle Paul recognized this heritage in his young apprentice Timothy. Paul recalled the sincere faith of Timothy’s grandmother and mother. Paul encouraged Timothy to fan the flames of his youth so his faith would grow in strength and love (2 Timothy 1). Due to the strengthening of his faith, Timothy became a vital leader in the early church. Timothy could have looked to the turmoil of his day, but he chose to look to the Word of God, where he found comfort.  
I know we have not all had the advantage of a faith-based childhood. Although some have had a faith-based childhood and, for one reason or another, have walked away. Storms of faith come to everyone. We are called to persevere because perseverance strengthens our character and gives us hope (Romans 5:4).  When we have hope in the Lord, we have a gift to give to others to help strengthen their faith.
Let today be the day we give the Lord the cluttered pages of life, allowing Him to rewrite our stories. Let us trust Him to show us His ways so we can walk beside His still waters of peace.
Psalm 25: 1, 4-5 - 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.