Tumbleweeds

               Looking from my office window on the second story of our farm home, I see tumbleweeds racing each other across the pasture.  As I watch, I become intrigued by their movements.

               Regardless of their size, all travel the same direction determined by the wind.  Larger ones slowly lumber behind the smaller, quicker ones like grandparents following after their grandchildren. Middle-sized ones seem more competitive as they move side-by-side, then with an increase of wind one overcomes the other, bouncing and skipping across the uneven terrain.  All leap and bound freely until an obstacle, such as a fence or a tree row stops their progress.  Stuck together, unable to go forward or backward, they wait for the next strong wind to set them rolling across the pasture once again.

               Sometimes, I’m like those tumbleweeds. I routinely roll along through life, taking it for granted. Then, most often unexpectedly, I am stopped by an obstacle, such as health issues, loss of loved ones, loss of job, relational issues or financial problems.  At first, I find myself stuck, similar to the tumbleweeds. However, unlike the tumbleweeds, I have someone waiting to free me from my difficulties, no matter what they are. That someone is my loving, Heavenly Father.

               In 2010 an obstacle I faced was the loss of my job.  I was devastated at first because I enjoyed working for the community college as an outreach director.  However, due to lack of funds, the college was forced to close the center where I worked. During this unemployment transition period, I spoke to God to help me get through this loss, both financially and emotionally.  I felt His care and guidance as He opened doors to new opportunities and relationships that I would never have experienced if I had not lost my job.  God cares, and He can and does free us from obstacles that block our paths.  All we need to do is call upon Him, trust Him, and be open to His advice through prayer, Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit.

“As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me.”  Psalm 55:16