5-26-20

We took a little ride on the back roads this Sabbath. The weather was so beautiful! I love just cruising around looking at all the wild flowers and all their beautiful colors. It feels good to get away from town and technology, to slow down and take in all of the wonderful blessings that the Father has poured out for us!

We just drove around aimlessly. We had the windows rolled down and not a care in the world. I sat there looking at the world passing by. I reached my arm out the window to feel the wind on my skin. When I did, I had a memory of my childhood come to my mind. I started thinking about my Dad taking me driving when I was little. I remember he had this old green truck. I don’t think there was a section on it that didn’t have a little rust. It had this distinct little rattle when it went down the street, and I can recall getting all excited when I heard it because that meant Dad was coming home from work. We would load up in the old truck and head out. Whether we were going fishing, or just taking a ride to town, any occasion was an adventure. I was perfectly content and excited because I was getting to go with my Dad.

The memory of riding with my Dad in that old truck is so vivid, like it happened just yesterday. I can close my eyes and it’s like my mind is playing an old time movie reel, replaying it all in my head.

I look across the long bench seat to see my Dad smiling back at me. I can almost feel the wind in my hair thinking about it right now. I remember looking out the window and sticking my arm out, just like I did this past Sabbath. I would run my hand up and down in a wave motion, cutting through the wind. I remember thinking, “If only I could just catch the wind.” I turned my hand around and cupped my fingers all so slightly. I can feel the wind’s pressure in my palm. I slowly clinch my fingers closed, and then just before they are clasp tight, I feel the wind disperse through my fingers. I would think, “Oh that was so close, maybe if I do it a little bit slower than before, I can hold the wind in my hand.”

I love remembering these sweet little snapshots in time. It’s fun to remember how the small Me used to think. The thought of harnessing the wind. I have no clue what I would have done with it had I accomplished this impossible goal. Would I have hidden it in a box under my bed, only to bring it out when there was no breeze to be found? Would I have thrown it around like a ball, used it like a play toy? Would I have used it for good, or would I have gotten it out when I was angry with my brother or sister, to blow them away when we would argue? Any way about it, it’s probably a good thing I wasn’t in charge of the wind.

How many other things are there that my juvenile mind thinks, “If only I could grab ahold, if only I was the one controlling it?” Maybe go back and change some of the mistakes I had made in the past? Or how about grabbing ahold of a loved one and making them see the Love of Yahweh and the gift of His son Jesus? Either one sounds like a great idea on the surface. But perhaps the reality of what the outcome would be if I could manipulate those things, would be un-desirable. If I could go back and revise my actions, would I be as thankful as I am to have been brought out of that kind of life by a loving God? If I could make my friend or family member know Yahweh, would they learn to love the Father on their own and strive for a relationship with Him? I believe the answer would be a no on both of them!

Thank goodness I can’t just catch the wind, but you know what? I have a relationship with the One who does control it for real!

Proverbs 30:4, “Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!”