Being Strong

This was Ashley's verse the last full week of July when she attended a Christian Drama Camp. I read the passage that week when Ashley told me the verse (including the end of Deuteronomy), and realized for the first time that Joshua must have been freaked out at the thought of being the Israelites new leader because God told him the same thing (Josh 1:9) six times before he finally took the Israelites into the Promised Land to take Jericho. He must have felt completely unequipped to fill Moses' shoes (I know I would feel completely incompetent to follow Moses). Then his very first task is this "impossible" task of taking over the Promised Land, one people group at a time.

But look how patient God is with him. He never rebukes him; He just constantly reminds him, "Hello ... I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I love these reminders of God's patience with me. I still feel so often like He's looking down from heaven, pointing His finger in my face with a very stern expression, ready to rebuke me for my unbelief, my wavering faith, my sins, etc.

Stories like this are like a soothing balm for me. So comforting. Such reassurance that He doesn't generally do that. He is so forgiving as long as our heart is right.

I'm using this verse to remind me that God is with Ashley wherever she goes (right now they're on their way to Sicily) so I need not fear or worry.

btw, couldn't resist taking this photo of Carlos a few weeks ago. It cracked me up that he found a way to use every weapon he owns at the same time. This little, innocent child, so ready to conquer the world, but really having no clue of what dangers lurk out there :) Sometimes I wish I could be like that--to charge ahead, completely trusting God--no fear.