Nothing More Than a Streaker
Every year about this time I look over my garden and begin to take notes for the next year. My first note was to keep track of the application of systemic insecticide. Our growing season is so long that the residual effect of that product, (6-8 weeks) had long passed. Another note is to have a plan to fight the moles that raised havoc all over the yard and garden. In other words, I plan to stay ahead of my garden “enemies” next year. I will prepare ahead of time to deter them, and then I will stay diligent to keep them away.
This week marks the start of a new school year in our area. I have enjoyed reading Facebook posts from all the young parents on my “Friends” list. I remember those days. I always had mixed feelings. In some ways I was glad the boys were going back to school. Their summer activities were beginning to bore them. They were also excited for the football season to start. But for the most part, I was very much aware of the reality that our sons were growing up fast. Each new year that they gained in a grade level represented one less year of influence that my husband and I would have on them.
Today more than ever there is an enemy waiting patiently for us to let our guard down. He wants nothing more than to see us “lose track” of our last application of God’s Word. If he cannot accomplish that, then he will try the fear factor. As your children are out of your sight, he will offer you the “what if” thoughts. “What if they get sick? What if they are afraid? What if there’s a storm? What if another student is cruel to them? What if…”
“If you obey my laws and teachings, you will live safely in the land and enjoy its abundant crops.” (Leviticus 25: 18-19)
Our answers, our peace, and our safety are always found in the same place, God’s Word. I have a favorite verse: Colossians 2:15. In the Message translation it says, “He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.”
In 1974 there was a country song on the radio called, “The Streak.” It told the fictitious story of an eye witness account of a series of streaking incidences occurring in various places around one little town. Disgusting? Yes, but consider this: that is exactly what the enemy is. He is a naked lier, a puny weasel with a really big mouth. He has already been defeated and he knows it. Make sure he knows that you know it too. How? Know the Word, and speak the Word over yourself and your family. Make time with God a priority. Isaiah 14:16 says we will see our enemy someday and say, “…Is this the man who made the world tremble and shook up kingdoms?”
The next time the thoughts of “What if” try to haunt your thoughts, counter them with Word based statements like, “What if my child has favor with God and man today? What if my child has the mind of Christ? What if the Lord has set His angels a special charge over my children to guard them in all their ways? What if sickness cannot over take my children because by the stripes of Jesus they are healed?”
The Truth is that all those statements are absolutely true. They are part of the gifts of salvation paid for in full over two thousand years ago.
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever…” (Psalm 138:8)