Years ago, I wrote in my first book, True Dependence, that life feels a lot like walking across a creek on stepping stones. I come back to this idea time and again. We get ourselves talked into that first step, finally take it and what happens – it shifts in the sand underneath soaking our feet!
Here you are just peeking in on my blog with some of that same trepidation or hesitancy. I am going to make a promise right from the start – you if stick with me on this journey, you are most DEFINITELY going to get your feet wet.
Sorry, I’m guessing you wanted something more reassuring than that, but if we’re both honest there is just no way to walk through life without experiencing some bumps. Some of those are going to bruise us pretty seriously. So your feet are going to get wet if you decide to work on living a more fulfilling life. Other truths occur when you start across the water on those slippery, slimy stones. You will experience beauty and if you stick with it, whether your feet get a thorough soaking or not there is ALWAYS, yes always a bank on the other side.
Have you ever seen a one-sided waterway? Even if we cannot see the other side of the massive expanse of a sea or ocean there is a comfort in knowing that it exists. The practice of reshaping your thoughts into healthier more peace-filled thoughts is just that, practice. It takes time to recognize the untruths we tell ourselves, reorganize our thoughts and then live into the truth. The Bible calls this renewing. In fact, Paul writes that after we go through this process we will be able to test and know what God’s will is (Romans 12.2).
The first stepping stone has the word, “truth,” written on it. The ink cannot be changed. It does not fade. Neither will the stone ever move allowing another to replace it. In order to take the rest of the steps across the water each of us must first be truthful with ourselves. This is challenging and I suggest it requires the help of someone to walk hand in hand with you. Until you find that partner, begin by carrying around a pad of post it notes. When you make a mistake, write down what you did, how you felt, and how you reacted both emotionally and physically. Keep track of these and at the end of the week spend some time in prayer asking God to help you see the truth behind the mistake, your emotions, and your actions.
It’s just the first stepping stone, but you can do it! – Monica
Monica Swank 