who we are

Amy Simpson
Amy Simpson

Free Newsletters

on LeadershipJournal.net

« Confessions of a Money Changer | Main | Cannibals in Christendom »

November 10, 2009

Grounded

by by Janine Petry

“It doesn’t matter what happens next, it’s not going to bother me.”

I confidently exercised my faith aloud to the disbelieving passenger next to me. He snorted, as though he understood something I didn’t.

“We’ll see about that.”

My husband and I’d been up since three in the morning to catch three different planes which would eventually land us back into the arms of our three waiting children. And they’d been waiting more than a couple of weeks for our return from the mission field.

But as God had arranged it, our second flight was delayed at take-off—delayed by more than an hour—and the likelihood of us making our last connection had nothing to do with the concept of being “likely” at all.

Despite the groans and sighs coming from the surrounding seats—including the one just next to me—I was determined to stay faithful. I would not to be shaken by the situation. I knew that this was out of my control. And what’s out of my control is squarely in the control of the One I trust most. So I grinned a secret grin, trusting that God had my day mapped out.

I reflected how, over the past several months of ministry and service, God had really been teaching me about listening, exercising faith, and walking in obedience. In fact, I was delighted to be tested in such a way. And despite the fact we hadn’t physically departed, felt a sense of spiritual “arrival.” I relished the sense that maybe, just maybe, I was getting the hang of this faith-thing.

After more than an hour, our plane finally found its way into the sky, and we were soon settling into the next airport. Despite our late arrival, I knew God would work everything out accordingly, and that my faith would shine as a stellar beacon in the dark and disbelieving mind of my spouse.

Getting off the plane, we were directed to the service desk. And while we were waiting I could hear the attendants helping the customers in front of us…helping them find hotels for the evening and new flights in the morning. But that just wasn’t the help I was looking for. So while I waited, I started praying my big-faith prayers.

God, make a way that only you can make. God, do a miracle right here! God, show up big-time; I’m waiting!
I shut my eyes while I prayed, and I didn’t care who watched. I was mustering faith; I was scraping it from deep within. But it wasn’t that far of a reach; my faith was shallow. And where it ended, I hit into something else hidden just below: some ugly pride. Dressed in my faith-filled prayers, thoughts like these were swirling around: let my faith-talk be justified here. Let me have the satisfaction of knowing I was right, that you’d work everything out the way I thought you would. Please don’t embarrass me in front of my husband!

But he didn’t need to embarrass me; I can do that myself. At the service desk, my calm exterior greeted the attendant. Her calm exterior met mine as she explained our situation in words I didn’t want to hear. My less-than-dainty anger met her still calm exterior. These were followed by a flood of tears—all of which landed on her still…calm…exterior. No matter what I said, or did, I was going no where. I was being…grounded.

I had heard Jennifer Rothschild say this just a few days before: Faith grounds you. So when you get that feeling—-that “I’m flying so high” kind of attitude—you can bet you’re headed for a grounding.

And there I was. Grounded. Embarrassed. Confused.

I don’t know how she remained so calm. Or better—how Steve did. He’d agreed to let me do the talking (and yelling and crying), probably to reassure me that, indeed, I’d tried everything. When it was over, I kept over looking at him; I searched his face. Searched for something smug; a belittling glint in the eye. But it wasn’t to be found. He let me be myself, and when I’d barked and cried out the last of my frustrations, he took my hand and headed to our hotel. He even bought me dinner.

Days later, I still searched for the meaning of it all. Why did God keep us from our kids another day? Why this end to a great trip? Why did everything start so smooth end so rough? Maybe there was some danger God was preventing. That’s it! Maybe some catastrophic, life-threatening barrier stood in the way, and God redirected us around it. And someday, when I get to heaven, I’ll understand God’s detour that day.

Or maybe I don’t have to wait that long.

How does your faith “ground” you? How does it keep you from thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to? And how does it keep you focused on God in the midst of your circumstances?

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on November 10, 2009 6:06 PM

Comments

"Why did everything start so smooth end so rough?"

To show us how much we invest ourselves in such petty, selfish concerns. You were away from your kids for 15 days instead of 14. That's worth tears?

Don't mean to be snarky, but what do you do for real tragedy?

Posted By: SallyB | November 11, 2009 2:31 PM

Hello
This is really very interesting post to read about experience.I like that you have well written this post.Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us.

Posted By: ginko | November 12, 2009 7:30 AM

Jane, I appreciate your vulnerability here in sharing this little journey. We are so weak in our flesh--the most mundane life adjustments can reveal such insecurities and instabilities within us. I think this was a great example to highlight just how much we need our Creator.

Posted By: Sarah | November 12, 2009 8:48 AM

Janine, thank you for illustrating so well how we mistake "big faith" for the pride of thinking we've arrived spiritually. I'm thankful for our loving Father who uses our disappointments to ground us again on the solid Rock.

Posted By: Karen | November 12, 2009 9:54 AM

I believe God grounds us sometimes to remind us that He's in charge. Not in the way we assume and therefore we fully comprehend. He's in charge when things don't fit and don't make sense. Failure isn't the same in His book as it is in ours. He never fails. We fail to understand His ideas. Sometimes, we can't grasp the reasons, but they are there none-the-less.

Posted By: Paula | November 12, 2009 10:51 PM

Quite interesting and challenging it takes the grace of God to wait and keep on waiting,God made us realize dat everyting will work for our good be it delay or any other circumstances but it all depends on us if we luv Him and ave been called according to His purpose.it mit be a delay on our own part but to God it means sumting else.Our God doesnt purnish.

Posted By: Esther | November 13, 2009 12:35 PM

Janine,
This is an anointed and touching article. I am a Christian believer, a student and at-home mom. Over the last several months I have been having a strong desire to write a book about my testimony, and my inspiration on how God delivered me and continuing to work through. I have had a challenge all my life and I thank God daily that I am a victor and not a victim. Do you have any words of encouragement to share with me?

Posted By: LaToya Smith | November 15, 2009 7:36 PM

A tough lesson that I have learned: my prayers aren't commands for God to obey. I think it's important for me to always include the caveat of "but not my will but yours be done."

Posted By: Robyn | November 18, 2009 2:48 PM

My faith has taught me "Thy will be done." If He is in control, I must get out of His way and let Him do His Sovereign thing. I personally don't ever want to use my faith to manipulating God for my own satisfaction because I used to be afraid that I would miss a greater blessing by praying for my own will to be done. If He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and I'm only praying for two of them and He wanted to give me 5 ... "Thy will be done" grounds you considerably: He, and only He, is in control. On your worst day, and on the day that the headlines seem to be at their worse--He is still in charge. 1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and He shall exalt you in due time.

Posted By: Sandra | November 19, 2009 10:37 AM

Janine, Thank you for your honesty. We can be so smug in our faith when we want to be a testimony. God tests us to see if we will endure and persevere in our faith. Hindsight is so great- maybe He was testing to see if you were willing to follow through with the trust you proclaimed to your seat partner. Maybe it was an opportunity as a parent to help your children learn about trusting God, accepting His will even when it changes our plans and expectations,not to be rattled but rest in faith/peace no matter what happens.

Posted By: Donna | November 20, 2009 8:43 AM

thank you for your article. It has been so helpful for me. I just lost my job and I have been smug about my faith with the Lord. I just went on this interview thinking that I would have a job because this is what God wanted. I can remember the Lord telling me to go in this interview with an open mind and open heart, so I took it that I would have a job. Basically the gentleman told me in very kind words to start my own business and he would be glad to help me if I needed some advise. In all honesty, I don't want to start my own business I want a job....I was really disappointed after the interview. After a few tears and phone call to my husband, the Lord reminded me of what he said before the interview. Your article just confirmed that it is not what we want that interest the Lord, it is what he wants for us and we have to trust him and have faith. It looks like I am starting my own business. God Bless you all

Posted By: Kim | November 20, 2009 4:45 PM

Post a comment:





Verification (needed to reduce spam):

Tags

see more

resources