When I was growing up on a farm in Ohio, there wasn’t a lake or a pool nearby so I never learned to swim or develop an affinity for being on or in the water. (I know that sounds incredible to most of you.)

 

On rare occasions where a family outing included a pool, I enjoyed walking around in the shallow end. Think of putting my head in the water or trying to swim or float? Never.

 

When I was on a double date just before college, the other couple had access to a boat. I had no idea the plan for the day was boating and water skiing. By mid-afternoon they convinced me to set aside my fear (maybe terror) and get in the water because they were sure I could learn how to water-ski. They told me it was easy and I would love it.

 

Minimal instructions followed my entrance into the water, but I managed to get on the skis as I leaned backwards on the water. When the boat powered up and took off, I think I actually got up on my feet. I am not actually sure because in seconds I was back down in the water holding onto the ski rope for dear life while being pulled through the water at an alarming rate of speed. Somehow everyone neglected to tell me to let go of the rope! When I finally did I was soon left behind by the boat and was hoping the life vest would really keep me above water.

 

Of course these folks wanted me to get back on the skis and try it again. That was NOT going to happen. My response was, “Help me get into the boat.”

 

Since that not-so-fun afternoon, my husband and I have occasionally been on a boat with friends with my strong stance I would stay tucked as safely as possible inside the boat.

 

On a recent weekend in Tennessee visiting our son and his family, a day on the lake on a pontoon boat was planned to bless our beautiful daughter-in-law for her birthday since she loves the water and boating. So with assorted things packed, we set off for the day. Our son had borrowed a jet ski (a.k.a. wave runner) for everyone to enjoy. I started hearing comments about whether or not they would be able to convince me to ride on the jet ski. I knew they had to be crazy. There was no thought in my head that I would do such a thing after my experience with water skiing.

 

By early afternoon I was enjoying watching our son and his family all take turns riding the jet ski with several of them seeing how fast they could go (at one point about 54 mph). The pontoon boat was able to zip along as well and at several points there was almost a race going on between the two watercrafts. The weather was lovely with some sun, a slight breeze and just a bit of choppiness to the water.

 

Then came the imploring that I get on the ski. First one and then another of our son’s family asked and assured me he or she would take it easy and I would be fine. I wasn’t biting, but when my husband started urging me to take a chance with my grandson I couldn’t believe my ears. He knew very well my anxiety and fear about water, but he persisted as my grandson idled on the jet ski next to the boat.

 

With more than a few qualms, I finally agreed. That meant I would need to get out of the boat and maneuver onto the ski one way or another. Did I mention I don’t do these things, that I am a grandmother in her seventh decade of life, and prefer mountain vacations?

 

With much gentle coaxing and teasing I managed to get out of the boat onto the jet ski with a promise from my grandson that he would not go as fast as I had seen everyone going. I just needed to hold onto him. On that point there was little question that I would agree.

 

My grandson is nearly 20 and a college sophomore. He continued to assure me all would be well and off we went…. slowly at first until we were up to a bit over 25 mph.

 

The funny thing was that within a few minutes I was actually enjoying the ride and having a great chat with my grandson. After a short while, he asked me if I wanted to go back to the boat. Oddly enough I told him we could keep going.

 

As I reflected on the afternoon, I couldn’t help but think about Peter. He could only discover the Lord’s provision for him when he was willing to get out of the boat. (Of course he took it much farther because he was going to walk on water.)

 

I could only overcome my fear and experience His provision for me by getting out of the boat.

 

Some of us are impulsive and easily throw caution to the wind at trying new things. But for many of us, our biggest challenge is to get out of the boat.

 

It is only when we get out of the boat that we discover what He wants to teach us about Him or ourselves.

 

Peter was afraid when he saw Jesus walking on the water, but something inside him really wanted to be able to do what he saw Jesus doing. Jesus told Peter and the others not to be afraid and Peter stepped out of the boat. He was doing just fine until he looked down and took his eyes off of Jesus.

 

Some part of me wished I could do what they were doing, but it would mean taking a risk.

 

Fortunately, I wasn’t trying to walk on water, but getting on the jet ski meant trusting those who were encouraging me to try it. They would care for me and protect me unlike that experience so many years ago.

 

And you know what?  They did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birdsong echoes through the rustle of the leaves as the hillsides awaken in unspoken praise to the One who called each one into being.

 

Early summer mornings in middle Tennessee can quickly become a sultry afternoon so a morning walk provides the backdrop for listening, reflecting, and observing. Together these provide the fertile soil for praise to join with the birdsong.

 

It can be so easy to jump into a day with the many lists that demand my attention once I have taken time to stop by my favorite red chair to have my devotions. In this life, many if not most of our days will be like that, but on some days I have dessert at the end of my devotional time.

 

I call it dessert time because it comes at the end of being fed in the Word. Dessert can be skipped, but when I can choose to take just a bit more time alone to be in His creation all my senses are refreshed.

 

Recently, I had such a morning in Tennessee that allowed me to take a walk to Whistler’s Cove accompanied by the lyrics of birds unknown to me that released my thoughts and left them floating heavenward. So many different songs!

 

 

How the Lord must delight in the variety of music sent heavenward to Him! When I consider His creation of so many birds to serenade Him as well as each of us if we take time to listen, I cannot help but be filled with wonder at such a God!

 

How He must rejoice when our voices soar upward no matter what the rhythm or time signature! Music surely is one of His best gifts!

 

On this walk, the scent of honeysuckle blossoms met me here and there along the path I took. How many fragrances He has created for His pleasure and ours! Even we are a fragrance to Him!

 

 

In 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 Paul writes:

 

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”

 

 

So, when I have spent time with Him, His fragrance spills out on me and as I share Him in my day in whatever way He leads, that same fragrance can extend to others.

 

How I desire that such a life-giving fragrance grace my life!

 

On such a Tennessee morning as I walk along the path taking in all the fragrance of Him, the sights of His creation, and the sounds of His music, I feel immersed in His fragrance as it washes over me.

 

Such times of sweetness and gentleness in His presence do so much to draw me into His arms and treasure the truth that I am His child, His daughter, loved everlastingly.

 

Please, take time for dessert!

 

 

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”

       Psalm 34:8

 

 

Jaycee’s dad died before she ever knew him, so Jaycee and her mama had always been poor as her mother tried to work to make enough money to keep them afloat. Growing up in a heroin infested town in southern Indiana was never easy for Jaycee Givens, but what made it feel impossible was when her mother became addicted to pain medication after an injury and then went on to heroin. Life became unpredictable and Jaycee felt like she lost the mama she knew when she was little.

 

Before her mama got hooked on drugs, Jaycee didn’t seem to know she was poor. She enjoyed school and was bright enough that other students always made a place for her at the lunchroom table. But one day when her mama brought Jaycee’s lunch to school only partially dressed and high on drugs, all that changed. Her life became one of survival when her life at home was exposed and unraveling.

 

Jaycee never knew who she would find laying around their trailer when she came home from school after her mama started selling drugs to pay for her own. She would pick her way through discarded syringes and listen before she opened the door to see who might be in the trailer with her mama.

 

When her little brother, Jayden, was born, she became his primary caregiver and protector. She loved him the best she could, gaining help from Sudie who lived several trailers down and had a skill of tending wounded animals that helped her understand the wounds of Jaycee, her brother, and mama. The problem was that Jaycee wasn’t really old enough to handle everything about parenting Jayden, nor could she watch him every minute to assure he was not harmed by the junkies that hung out at their trailer.

 

One of the puzzles for Jaycee was sorting out how God could allow all this to happen. She had gone to church and Sunday School with her mama before the drugs started. She had even been baptized, but where was God now?

 

Amy K. Sorrells takes her reader on a powerful journey in Before I Saw You. That journey points clearly to God-ordained moments and His pursuing love. One of those comes when Jaycee’s pastor preaches a sermon that leaves her puzzling when he says,

 

 “Sometimes God shows his faithfulness not by what he brings to our life, but by what he takes out of it; not by what he gives us, but by the joy we receive from what we let go of and give to him.”

 

These words become increasingly important as Jaycee must grapple with tough choices about what she may need to give up.

 

When you read this story, you will discover how personal that preached word by a pastor becomes for Jaycee. You will also become attached to each character in the story as you see Jaycee come to grips with what she needs to give up. Your eyes may also fill with tears as you see the Lord leading her to trust Him through very dark and difficult choices.

 

This book speaks gently and powerfully of God’s heart for some who are “the least of these.” It also highlights how the Lord grants us grace to trust Him when we see no way forward.

 

To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.