Another pretty day sprinkled with melodious bird songs, warm sunshine beaming down from a beautiful blue sky. Mother Nature, Father Sky, and Old Man Winter are cooking up some heavy storms this weekend. No signs of it today, though. Hope everyone will weather the storms safely.

I’ve eaten my breakfast in the porch swing this morning porch pondering but dictated none of my thoughts. Just sat watching the sky and the clouds change shapes and colors. The songbirds were singing and frolicking around the feeders. The sun was hot on my face but the breeze cooled my cheeks. Mother Nature’s magnificent watercolor painting of sunset was rendered in a wash of pink champagne watercolors. As the darkness began hovering over the horizon I came in the house for the night.

As I sat in the porch swing today I remembered all the times I ran through the screen door on this porch to hop on my bicycle and ride away for hours. Don’t think I told my mother anything except bye and she didn’t worry about where I went. Most often I pedaled to my friend Chip’s house and we’d ride our bikes all over town. We rode together so often we had a regular route we’d take. My generation had such an innocent childhood, riding our bicycles around town, playing in the creek, swimming in a pool in the middle of a hay field, roller skating down the sidewalks up town.

We just hopped on our bikes, went on our merry way, and listened for the mill whistle to blow at 12 noon to tell us it was time to go home for lunch. Did not have to worry about the creek water being contaminated or scary people snatching us off our bikes. We didn’t even have to worry about pocket money if we could round up some glass Coke bottles to cash in at the grocery store to buy a treat. I think I worried most about “mad dogs” and being abducted by aliens. Wish we could bring those innocent times back. I had an idyllic, carefree childhood and I appreciate it more every day.

I’ve often wondered what kind of childhood Jesus lived. He was brought up with siblings, two sisters and four brothers, and extended family in a simple but poor life. He was obedient to his parents as we read in Luke 2:51, “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” I see him playing with his Father’s carpentry tools, playing in the piles of wood shavings on the floor of the shop. The Gospels’ scripture tells us when Jesus was 12 years old he was a knowledgeable student impressing the temple’s teachers. Scripture in Luke reads, “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Research says he was a “a profoundly serious child…often described as having an inner joy or gladness.” I know the little boy Jesus had a beautiful bright smile.

Every been in a wilderness so desolate and uncultivated it lacked civilization? I have not experienced a natural wilderness but I have been in a wilderness of faith several times in my lifetime. Never give up when you’re wandering in the wilderness of faith. Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years after they left Egypt. The Israelites lack of faith and their grumbling and complaining led them to wander in the wilderness as punishment. God in his “great compassion” did not abandon them and provided what they needed as they walked to the Promised Land. The Israelites faith was tested and their reliance with God was strengthened.

When we feel our faith wavering and we feel we’re being tested, we encounter God in the wilderness of our faith. Life happens. Life has unexpected challenges and changes. We’re knocked down and have trouble believing God hears our cries. We can’t find his hands to grasp to help us back up. We feel disconnected from God and we find it hard to pray. We feel vulnerable, like giving up, like God has turned his back on us. “God’s plan is always the best. Sometimes the process is painful and hard. But don’t forget that when God is silent, He is doing something good for you,” Unknown.

We have to remember in this wilderness of faith that we are not alone. God is standing with us. Joshua 1:9 states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We have to stay strong and pray for God’s guidance, encountering God spiritually both through our prayers and our scripture readings. When I wandered in a spiritual wilderness searching for something to comfort me in my grief, God was walking with me and once I cried out for his comfort and hope, I learned to lean on God for strength and perseverance. I slowly wandered back into the sunshine of life. My faith was strengthened and my trust in God solidified.

Never give up when times are so difficult you feel you are wandering in the wilderness. Never feel life is hopeless. Trust in God’s promise. His love, his mercy, and his grace will give you the strength to persevere through the difficult times in life.

“Fear not. God is with you in both the storm and the peace. Trust him.” — Christian Quotes