Howdy!

Yes, I keep hearing the song, “Back in the Saddle Again” by Gene Autry while typing this to you today. Love the line he uses that talks about being back in the saddle again, “out where a friend is a friend” and I’m hoping you all know how important you are to me even though I might not be a “lady that lunches”, or breakfasts, or dines with you at all. You probably know me well enough though to know I would if I could. :0)

I had been at a job that just left me too mentally exhausted to even think to write anything in my free time, but let’s face it…that was just an excuse. I couldn’t find any motivation to type or write my feelings to anyone. I yet again followed a path that was not made for me. Feelings of shame, discouragement, and questioning how I missed God yet again plagued me and I felt that I deserted you all during this time. Bailed out is the better way to describe it! Have you ever wanted to just jump out of the plane, pull the ripcord, and float?

That’s where I’ve been in the weeks since I turned in my resignation. A voice calls out to me, “I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:13 intertwined with, “And we know that God causes all things to work togther for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” in Romans 8:28.

This may shock a lot of you, because I try my best to put on a good face of faith and I do truly believe that God has the best intentions for me and never leaves me or forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5). However, we all have our Elijah moments. I’m going to clarify this for you because I know my Father, God is still teaching me, using me, and causing me to triumph in every situation! I know He will do the same for you and pray the moments of your life that leave you questioning, “Why? How come? What was the purpose?” will remind you of Elijah and the situations that he might have been thinking the same way you are in unclear moments.

You know Elijah, the one from Tishbite in the bible, the man, the myth, the legend. He was the one that raised a widow’s dear son, had a showdown with the prophets of Baal, and stopped the rain for a little over three years but he also fled in terror from Jezebel, so yes he was human.

We are going to 1Kings 17:2-16, “Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah, Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.

So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”

Now when I was younger and read this for the first time, I remember thinking to myself, “Cool! Birds dropping loaves of bread and something resembling Chicken McNuggets down to Elijah!”. At that time, I had no understanding or knowledge of how distasteful ( not to mention unsanitary :0) this could have been perceived by Elijah. You see, Ravens were deemed “unclean” animals by your typical Talmud loving, law abiding , faithful Jew like Elijah.

Ravens were not kosher. They were off limits to Jewish believers because they were carrions. You know, road kill eaters tearing into the flesh of an unsuspecting animal that unfortunatley had been killed for some reason or another. Why did God choose this animal to be the “delivery boy” of Elijah’s provision? I don’t know, but it will be one of my first questions when I pass through the pearly gates!

I like to think it was because of the lesson that needs to be learned by all: We can trust God no matter what.

No matter what the diagnosis a doctor just shared with you.

No matter how lonely you may feel.

No matter if your child is missing the mark spiritually.

No matter if your wife or husband just told you, “It’s over”.

No matter if you’re struggling to get the bills paid.

Please don’t think I am typing these words to you only. I need to be reminded of the principles, truths and promises along with everyone else. Perhaps that’s why I do this blog, we all need to hear of the goodness and Faithfulness of God, even if it’s provided by a foul and filthy bird! (did you get the pun?) :0)