Some trust in horses, Some trust in chariots, and Some trust in stress-relieving face soap

Well, well, well, it’s nice to sit and blog again.  It’s been awhile!  But in my defense, things have been really busy!!!  God has moved us from Arkansas to South Carolina, and we have stayed busy prepping for the move, making the move, and settling in!  We love it here and know with great confidence and certainty that we are exactly where God wants us to be, and for that, we are VERY thankful!!!

At the beginning of October, we took a trip back to Arkansas for a family visit and to celebrate Josh’s grandmother’s birthday!  It was such a blessing to see everyone, and God multiplied the time, allowing us to squeeze in a good visit in just a few days.  The drive from Arkansas to our home in South Carolina is approximately 12 hours.  However, we have a four year old, two year old, and one year old, which means, it can not only take us quite a bit longer than 12 hours, but it can also be substantially more stressful.  So we usually have to take it in 2 days.

On our last night in Arkansas, Lydia (2 yrs) started coughing throughout the night, but we dismissed it as a random allergy thing.  After a very long day of driving (which included a carsick kid), we arrived at our Georgia hotel late at night, and we really felt certain at this point that Lydia’s cough was over because she hadn’t coughed at all that day.  Unfortunately we were so wrong.  As soon as she was tucked in bed she began coughing again, even to the point of throwing up a few times.  And, guys, this happened all night long, in spite of our giving her allergy medicine.  By morning, we were beyond exhausted and had to hurry to pack up and hit the road again to get home. 

As I hurried to go take my shower because check-out time was fast approaching, I see the complimentary face soap laying on the counter, and I had to giggle to myself because this was no ordinary face soap…this was stress-relieving face soap!!!  Perfect!  This was just what I needed before rushing to pack up and check out only to cram myself into a confined space with three very young and very tired children, one of whom had hardly slept at all!  So, as anyone with a brain would do and with much anticipation, I used it!  And though I really knew what would happen, I found myself slightly disappointed that it did absolutely nothing.  Nothing.  Nothing at all.  I mean, my face did get clean, but the soap didn’t make Lydia feel rested, it did not pack our bags, it did not hurry to feed the kids a continental breakfast, or fix their hair, or resolve the big issue over the girls’ hair bows, or re-fix their hair, or change the last minute diaper; it did not help the children come to an agreement on what movie to watch in the car; it did not even help the fog over my mind lift so I could think!  The soap was stupid.  It was worthless.  And it made me think. 

How often do I place my trust in something pointless, stupid, and worthless, just hoping it will bring me rest?!  Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”  What are you trusting today?  No amount of soap is going to wash away your stress.  No horse or chariot will save you from your stressors.  Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”  Circumstances around you can easily make you feel shaken, but if you stand in Christ alone, you are NOT shaken in the midst of your troubles because He is not moved.  So, go on, cast it over to Him…He can take it!