Why Stumbling?

When I first started blogging, my dad had recently been diagnosed with ALS. The purpose of my writing was to keep people informed on his prognosis and it ended up being a combination of his progress and the lessons God was teaching me along the way. When people stopped by, they’d often mention something to him about the blog. Finally one day, he pulled me aside, and on his letter board spelled, “What’s a blog?” I had to laugh before explaining what I was doing. I told him I was writing to keep people up to date and about lessons God was teaching me along the way. He shook his head and next spelled, “Write only the truth.” He never wanted the spotlight on Him, only God. 

I received a great deal of encouragement about writing during that season of life. In the season I’m currently in, where there aren’t quite as many work and school demands, I’ve felt somewhat called back to the old keyboard. As I sit and pondered what to write about and what to call it, my dad’s instruction resonates in my mind. Write only the truth. Why? He knew and I know that only the truth of God’s Word has the powerful ability to change lives. That is what I will strive to do. Find the bits of truth in everyday life and write about them in a way that hopefully encourages you to live them out in your own life.

You may be wondering about the title. While it may seem strange, I can’t think of a better way to describe my spiritual life. Sometimes I start out running and things are going well. But then I allow something to cut me off from my good race. Sometimes I’m walking along and then find myself tripping over some of the obstacles in my path.

I often wish I were more of a spiritual runner or walker- steady, gaining ground and heading in the right direction. Maybe one day I’ll get there. For now, even after knowing Jesus Christ for 18 years, I still forget, I still get caught up in the daily unimportant urgencies of life, and I talk to much which leaves me feeling like I’m in somewhat of a spiritual stumble. It’s not always pretty. I don’t always respond to God and people as I know I should. But I can say in the words of Beth Moore and only by the grace of God, I may not be where I want to be, but I’m not where I was!

I do hope and pray that one day I’m running very steadfastly, unceasingly in the direction of becoming only like Jesus. For now, I still fall and I must allow Him to help me back up and get back on the right path. There are those I stumble with. We help each other up, cheer each other on and head together in a Jesus direction, no matter what pace we may be currently traveling it and no matter how long it may take us.  I invite you to come along in the general direction of spiritual maturity with me whether you're walking, running or stumbling.