Journey On!

 When I see a road or path, it may cause me to wonder where it leads. It may beckon me. Or it may cause me to say, "No way am I going there!"  

I’ve taken dozens of photographs of roads and paths. One of my favorite images is this one I took while hiking in the Grand Teton National Park. 

As I look at the images I’ve captured through the years, I often think about other kinds of roads we have to journey on—the difficult roads of life that none of us want to travel on. For example: Disease Drive. Cripple Court. Ruin Road. Shame Street. Bitter Boulevard. Agony Avenue. Dead End Street. Despair Drive. Poverty Court. 

As we travel through life, we certainly don't want to leave Easy Street. Yet, few, if any, of us can avoid Heartbreak Highway. The best thing to do while on that route is to relax, as much as possible, and enjoy that part of the journey as best we can, confident that our Heavenly Father knows where we are and stays close by all the time, loving us, encouraging us, guiding us along that difficult stretch of road. Although Heartbreak Highway has no mileage signs, our Father knows how long the route is. He also knows where the road leads and all the places we'll pass through. We will get to the right destination eventually if we don't take a wrong exit.

If we say, “I hate this road! I don’t want to travel on it anymore!” we must keep on traveling, while keeping an eye out for “pleasant spots” along the way. And every road, even a tough one, has some of them. Right?

For example, when we’re struggling with things that frighten us or threaten to overwhelm us, we may receive encouragement from family and friends who stand with us in the difficulty. We may also learn valuable lessons, such as learning to recognize the people and things in life that are truly important and to cherish them all the more. 

So...when the road is difficult, as it surely will be from time to time, let’s journey on, grateful for whatever blessings are along the way and for the assurance we feel when our Father says to us, "Don't be afraid. I am with you.* I know exactly where you are now and where I’m leading you. Just trust Me.”

*Isaiah 43:5

©2025 by Johnnie Ann Gaskill,

Why?

I’ve often read the story* about the sudden storm that popped up one day when Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Although such sudden storms are fairly common on that body of water, they cause great fear as waves, some ten feet tall, batter boats and threaten lives.

Sea of Galilee.
Photo by Arvid Olson from Pixabay

Apparently, the water was calm when Jesus and His disciples set out across the lake. So, Jesus, who surely must have been tired from having dealt with the throngs of people who surrounded Him wherever He went, decided to sleep while the disciples navigated to their destination. However, when the storm raged, they cried out, “Master! Master! We’re going to drown.”

Jesus stood up. He commanded the waves and the wind to quiet down. They did. Much to the relief of the disciples (and those in nearby boats), the lake became as smooth as glass. 

Some translations use these words to state Jesus’ question: “Where is your faith?” But The Message paraphrases the question this way: “Why can’t you trust me?” (See Luke 8:25)

I couldn’t get past those words. They compelled me to stop and ponder the question that demanded an answer from me.

Like the disciples, I know I can trust Jesus. He has done great and mighty things for me--and for others. Yet, each time a new crisis appears, I forget how He has helped me in the past. I fail to realize that He is still with me, still able to do far more than I can imagine, still willing to come to my aid. Thus, I struggle to answer the probing question Jesus asked, “Why can’t you trust me?” (See Luke 8:25)

Am I unable to trust Him or am I choosing not to?

After all, as the song Evidence points out, there is much proof that He is worthy of my trust and has, in fact, proven that again and again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lDvD-O9xhg

* Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

God Is Still in Charge!

 My heart was heavy as 2022 came to an end. I was thinking about so many dear ones who have problems that are heartbreaking and have no obvious solution. But as my husband and I traveled toward a friend's house on New Year’s Eve, we noticed the sky was a vivid orange near the horizon, making it appear as if a fire raged behind the trees.

My eyes filled with happy tears at the awesome sight before us. I said to my husband, "This reminds me that God is still very much in charge of this world." 

And, indeed, He is. He's in charge of the natural world. He's in charge of every living thing, including the human race. He's in charge of the things that happen and those that don't.

As I reflected on those awesome truths, I recalled these words written by the psalmist David:

But the LORD is in his holy Temple;
the LORD still rules from heaven...

~Psalm 11:4, NLT

Other Scriptures point out that God is in charge, even when we think He isn't. Even when we think He has forgotten about us. Even when we think He is never going to do anything. Granted, He may not resolve the situation in the way we want Him to, but whatever He does will be the right thing.

As we wait for God to act, we can remind ourselves, as did Moses as he was speaking to God's people centuries ago:

Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

~Deuteronomy 7:9. NKJV

As we enter a New Year, let's remind ourselves daily to trust God in every situation. As the centuries-old hymn says:

Simply trusting ev'ry day,
Trusting thro' a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, 
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

...

Singing if my way is clear,

Praying if the path be drear;

If in danger, for him call;

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

...

~Ira D. Sankey, 1876

Listen to (and sing along with) that beautiful song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVU-bgxjuW8

If we'll trust Him, we can have a happy new year, despite our circumstances. 

Bittersweet

 Mother's Day is bittersweet for me. How is it for you?

I'm missing my own precious mother, who departed this life eleven years ago. I'm missing my sweet mother-in-law, who was like a mother to me. She left us on Mother's Day weekend six years ago. I'm rejoicing in my two daughters and their families who bring me such joy (and call me "Nana"). I'm feeling thankful for all the good and godly women who have  "mothered" me in ways too numerous to mention. 

As I searched the Internet for a poem to share with you, I came across several that impacted me, including the two below. Then I remembered one I'd written about my mother in 2006 but hadn't shared with you. 

As you read the poems below, I encourage you to find a way to express the thoughts in YOUR heart. Write them out. And, if you feel comfortable, share them with someone else as a gift from your heart to theirs. But even if no one sees your words except you, expressing your feelings will be cathartic--better than a session with a therapist! Even better: always do as Psalm 62:8 says, "Pour out your heart before God." He loves you. He hears you. He will help you.

https://rachelwojo.com/a-prayer-to-empower-moms-3/

The following is an excerpt from a poem written by a mother's son as he imagined what she would say and feel as she coped with his death. The link below the excerpt contains the entire poem, a letter he wrote to his mother, etc. But even if you have time to read only this portion of the poem, I'm sure you can feel the bittersweet emotion it expresses.

But I will speak their names to my own heart
In the long nights;
The little names that were familiar once
Round my dead hearth.
Lord, thou art hard on mothers:
We suffer in their coming and their going;
And tho' I grudge them not, I weary, weary
Of the long sorrow - And yet I have my joy:
My sons were faithful, and they fought.

https://www.irishamericanmom.com/the-mother-by-patrick-pearse/

Seen and Unseen

 

When I stepped outside to photograph the sunrise, I couldn’t see the sun, as I do most mornings here on Sanibel Island, Florida. Even though clouds obstructed my view of it, I knew God had caused it to rise again this morning as He has done every morning since He created it eons ago. How did I know? I saw evidence of it. Everything in my view was being bathed in brighter and brighter light. If the sun had not risen, there would have been no light to drive away the darkness that had reigned during the night. God was still on His throne, still running the world, still causing ALL things to work according to His purposes and His plans. 

I think of that often, especially when a crisis arises. I need not panic. God is in charge. He is ever faithful, ever wise, ever powerful. I can trust Him…and I do. Even though I can’t see HIM, I can see evidence that He is working. I can feel the peace He provides. I can praise Him for who He is and thank Him for ALL He does—seen and unseen.

Trust Him!

 

Call Upon the Lord

 One recent day my daily Bible reading took me to Psalm 18, a psalm David wrote centuries ago after God had miraculously delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, including King Saul. David began his song of praise with a vow to love the Lord God and to trust God to preserve his life. After describing a time (one of many!) when he was in great distress, David summarized the solution: He cried out to God for help. God rescued him.

After reading David’s story of his desperate situation and dramatic rescue, I did what David did. I cried out to God--not for myself but on behalf of a person clinging to life in a distant hospital.

Oh, Father! The pangs of death surround [NAME]. Normally, he would cry out to You for help. But since he may not be conscious enough to do that, I'm crying out for him--and his family. If he is aware of how ill he is, comfort him. Enable him to feel Your love and Your presence. Relieve his pain. Heal his diseased body.

I call upon You for I believe, as David did, that You do hear and respond to the cries of Your children. For years, You have been [NAME’S] strength, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer. Even if he can’t beg You to help him during this crisis, continue to be his shield, his hope, his stronghold. 

O LORD GOD, if it pleases You, deal speedily with all the “enemies” that are attacking his body. But if Your divine plan is to call him home, help those of us who love [NAME] to accept Your decision and to realize that even a homegoing is a way of relieving suffering, just not the one we're longing for at this time.

No matter how You choose to rescue [NAME], may all who are praying for him continue to trust You and to continue to say:

The LORD is My Shepherd

I'm scheduled to have surgery on my right hip tomorrow. Instead of thinking about things that could go terribly wrong, I'm choosing to reassure myself, as David did centuries ago, by reminding myself that the LORD is my shepherd. He is the one who guards me, cares for me, provides for me.... I will trust Him to be with me and to provide all I need during the surgery and during the months of recovery. 

Since He has faithfully tended me all my life, why would I doubt Him now? 

Always in HIS Care

One afternoon I stepped outside to take a look around. I saw beauty everywhere. A male cardinal sat on a leafy bough. An Eastern Phoebe perched on the limb of a crepe myrtle. Bright red cactus blooms, some as wide as a saucer, cascaded from the huge hanging basket on the front porch.

Peach colored daylilies and buds galore caught my eye as I strolled along the sidewalk. Purple and white irises looked so lovely against a backdrop of hydrangea leaves.

As I happily photographed such beauty, I reminded myself (again!) that the Creator God who designed and sustains everything is the One who is in charge of me, too. Why, then, do I worry? 

“Friday” or “Sunday” Thinking?

One Friday many centuries ago, those who either witnessed the death of Jesus on the cross or heard about it experienced intense—and varied—emotions. Those who hated Him thought, Good riddance! Those who loved Him lamented His passing. Those who followed Him in hopes of receiving a miracle from Him regretted that He died before bestowing a blessing on them. Those who had left all to follow Him as He taught and ministered throughout the area mourned the loss of the One they called Master. Perhaps they thought, We never dreamed it would end like this—and so soon. Perhaps they asked themselves, How could we have been so wrong about Him? Perhaps they wondered, What are we supposed to do now? Return to the life we had before we believed in Him and followed Him?

The fearful, troubled disciples could have experienced comfort and peace if only they had truly believed Jesus when He repeatedly told them that He would die and that He would also rise again in three days. But as they grappled with their grief, they either forgot what He’d said about His death and resurrection or else refused to believe either would happen. If they had truly believed Him, they could have spent those hours following His death anticipating the miracle of new life for Him—and for them.

Don’t we, like they, think of life as a perpetual “Friday?” Don’t we hyper-focus on the harsh realities and fail to see the good God is bringing out of them? But Romans 8:28 assures us that He can and will cause all things to work together for His glory and our good. Don’t we go through life hopeless and defeated and discouraged and ...?

We may think that way, but we don’t have to! Granted, evidence often indicates that it’s Friday, but let’s refuse to give up on God. Let’s remember Sunday IS coming! Let’s remember the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples prior to His death: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

He lives in us and is with us at all time. Because He has overcome, we also overcome. Because He lives, we also live—abundantly—both now and throughout all eternity.

A Grateful Heart

Note; Although the following is a fiction story I wrote in 2015, its message is true: it IS possible to have a grateful heart even in trying circumstances.

As Linda Leigh sipped her morning coffee, she became increasingly aware of the birds that flew to and from the feeders outside the screened-in porch where she was sitting.

Unlike her, they seemed to be unaffected by the chilly air. They conversed with each other as happily as they had on spring mornings and balmy summer evenings when she’d listened to them as she’d sat alone in her favorite chair on the porch and sipped her hazlenut-flavored coffee.

As she enjoyed the sight and sounds of the birds, the words to a simple blessing she’d said with her third-grade students many years ago popped into her mind.

“Thank You for the world so sweet. Thank You for the food we eat. Thank You for the birds that sing. Thank You, God, for everything.”

Surprised by those long-forgotten words, Linda Leigh whispered them aloud—and realized, for the first time in over 30 years, that she felt truly thankful. With pleasure she noted that the feeling warmed her cold heart even more than the hot coffee warmed her chilly body.

Clasping the hot mug, she mused, Is it possible to give thanks for everything?

Her first response was Absolutely not! I will never be able to give thanks for the horrible things I’ve been through. Never! Never!

But as she listened to the birds, she reflected on how they chirped happily in stinging cold or sizzling heat, in pouring rain or in dazzling sunshine.

She, on the other hand, had let circumstances snatch her song from her. But as she listened to their songs and watched the energetic actions of the Chickadees, the Nuthatches, the Finches, and other birds as they flew from feeders to trees, she wondered, Will I ever be able to recapture the joy I’ve lost?

O how she wanted to feel happy and purposeful again instead of angry over and defeated by the hard blows she’d sustained. So, taking another sip of coffee, she whispered, “Thank You, God, for the warmth I feel.”

As she sat there, she spoke yet another small thanksgiving. “Thank You, God, for these quiet moments to linger here before I meet with the oncologist.”

Realizing it was time to go, she stood—and was surprised once again to hear herself whisper, “Thank You, God, for strength to stand.”

The following morning when she was sitting on her porch and sipping her coffee, her friend Marie stopped by to check on her. Linda Lee said, “Pour a cup of coffee and come out here. I have something to tell you.”

As Marie seated herself, Linda Leigh said, “The strangest thing happened to me yesterday.” After telling Marie about the blessing that had popped into her mind and how she’d surprised herself as she’d begun to whisper one-sentence thanksgivings, Linda Leigh said, “And I couldn’t stop! Throughout the day, I said things like, “Thank You, God, that I can see and smell. And hear. And taste. And feel. And Thank You, God, for money to buy the things I need.”

As sentence after sentence spilled out of her mouth, Linda Leigh noticed Marie was smiling at her.

“What?” she asked.

“I think the ice around your heart is melting,” Marie said softly.

“I believe it is!” Linda Leigh said. “I still can’t thank God for everything He’s allowed to come my way, but I can thank Him for the things He’s given me that help me get through the tough times.”

Smiling, she whispered, “Thank You, God, for a friend like Marie.”

© 2015 by Johnnie Ann Burgess Gaskill

Be Still and Know...

I love this song! I feel led to share it in its entirety, trusting that it will minister to you, as it does to me. Read the words slowly, letting them sink deeply into your heart and mind. If you have a few extra minutes, listen to it here:


BE STILL, MY SOUL
Author: Kathrina von Schlegel
Translator: Jane Borthwick (1855)
Tune: FINLANDIA
Public Domain

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heav’nly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then shall you better know his love, his heart,
who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay
from his own fullness all he takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Let Me!

The words God spoke in the Old Testament book of Hosea 11 warm my heart—and break it. 

In that passage, God says, in essence:

As I read that story and many others (for example, Jeremiah 31:3) that tell how Father God continues to love His wayward children, I wonder, How could God’s people be so blind—and stupid? How could they continue to reject the One who loved them so much?

As I fume over that, I hear Him say to me, “Johnnie, dear Johnnie, you do the same thing! You ignore Me much of the time. You go your own way. You listen to the teachings of those who don’t know Me or love Me. You seem to forget that I am the source of all truth and of all wisdom. You often forget that I am the One who gives you the very air you breathe and all the blessings you enjoy.

“O, precious child, return to Me! I love you with an everlasting love. I want to be a Father to you. I want to teach you and guide you. Let Me!” 

How To Be Happy...

Follow David's Example

These words David used to describe his world centuries ago could be used to describe our world today:

Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing!
The faithful have vanished from the earth!
Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts....They say, " We will lie to our hearts' content. Our lips are our own--who can stop us?
--Psalm 12: 1-4, NLT

What did David do? He cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord answered him. 

How did David respond? He said, "LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land" (Psalm 12:7-8, NLT).

How should we respond? Follow David's example. Cry out to the Lord our God. Tell Him what's on our heart. Tell Him (and truly mean it!) that we trust Him to set things right, no matter how impossible the situation seems to us.

In God's Care

When Mama chose the inscription for Daddy's tombstone, which she would share when it was her turn to be buried beside him in the cemetery of the little country church where they were members, she selected three simple words: In God's Care. 

Those three words summarize what she and Daddy always believed: They were always in God's care--always had been, always would be. That profound truth comforted and strengthened them--and me, too.

They would agree, as I do, with these words spoken by the Apostle Paul: "I am persuaded that neither life nor death nor anything or anyone else can ever separate us from the love of God found in and expressed by Christ Jesus." See Romans 8.

What a comfort! How it strengthens us to face whatever happens to us.

Push Past the Fear

When an entrepreneur planned a team building activity, she didn't realize the rope course would be so high. As she stared at the tall ladder she'd have to climb in order to reach the horizontal telephone pole she'd then have to walk across before dropping to the ground, terror gripped her. But since she was the leader, she forced herself to climb the ladder, totally terrified all the while even though she knew the cables fastened to her body would prevent any serious injury. 

When she reached the top and stepped onto the pole that was waaaay above the ground, she froze. With her right hand, she gripped a suspension cable. With her left she held on to an upright pole. Only when a teammate called out, "You gotta let go to move forward," did she summon the courage to inch forward.

She almost made it to the far end of the pole before losing her balance and free falling (safely!) to the ground, screaming all the while. Even though she fell, she celebrated having done the very thing she'd feared.

pixabay.com

Smiling broadly, she said, "Every time you do something that scares you, it builds up your confidence so that can do it one more time--and begin to do things a little scarier and harder. Before you know it, you're doing things you never even dreamed possible."

Spiritual lesson: 

If God calls us to do something that seems impossible, let's step out in faith even if we are scared. If He requires it of us, He will surely enable us to do it. Let's trust Him!

When I Am Afraid...

Waiting On God

David's words in Psalm 25 provide guidance for you and for me when we're in a difficult situation.

David acknowledges he is needy and sinful. He knows full well that if God doesn't come through for him, he is "undone." 

As David waits for God to intervene, he does more than moan and groan. He talks to God about the crisis--without going into great detail (since God already knows all about it!). Rather than just beg God to get him out of the current mess, he says to God: "Lead me in Your truth, teach me Your paths, show me Your ways, guard my soul," etc. 

He also praises God by saying things like, "Good and upright is the LORD...He teaches the humble His way....All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies..."

Reminding himself of who God is and how mercifully and lovingly He deals with His children increases David's faith, enabling him to trust God even more as he waits expectantly for God to do what He knows is best for all concerned.

Like David, we do need to talk with God about our troubles and/or those of others. As we wait to see what God does, we can experience greater calm, comfort, and confidence if we'll repeatedly remind ourselves of God's goodness and power. 

He Will NOT Forsake Us!