Connecting the Dots

While we're waiting for our food to arrive at the restaurant, my youngest grandson and I enjoy playing "Connect the dots". I'm sure you've played it many times. Once upon a time, I let him win, but what in the world -- now he skunks me! Remember when we connected the numbers on a page by drawing lines to the next number and soon it unveiled a picture of something?

It's amusing to hear the latest phrases that are coined like "Let's connect the dots". It's used as a metaphor to illustrate an ability to find the "big picture". Yesterday my blog/post was about the action in the new Mission Impossible movie. It was because you never know what's going to happen next. It's what made the movie great. Twists and turns. Ups and downs. Victories and defeats. Fast-paced and, well, a few slowed paced times. But, ultimately, (Spoiler Alert!), the good guys win! The dots were connected and everything came together.

Here's the deal about connecting the dots of our lives. God is the One connecting our dots. We think "Why did that happen?" My most quoted scripture is this one that explains God's way of thinking about the "Whys" in our lives. Romans 8:28 "All things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." Think about this:

~ Without Judas, the betrayer, there would have never been the death of Jesus on the cross and then be risen from the dead which leads to our salvation.
~ Without the pit and prison, Joseph would have never made it to the palace and receive the highest position of the land to spare His family -- the brothers that betrayed him.
~ Without the lion, the bear and the giant, David would never have become king.

And, what about you and me? What crisis or setback caused you to stretch and pray and ultimately arrive at your present situation that is the one you were hoping for or at least the one that opened the door to the next one? In my case, my husband's illness and passing created this desire and ability to blog and post daily. I started blogging to display our trust and faith in God during some tough times, but it led me to find a new passion and dream new dreams. In your case, it might be that the loss of your job, opened the door for a better job. The pain and suffering you've experienced might have led you to encourage others by using your tests as a testimony of God's amazing grace.

We don't have to know it all and understand everything about this race we're running. Instead of looking to the left or right, we just keep moving forward. We should never fight it if we don't like it. Our setbacks just might be the greatest comeback of all time. God is connecting all the dots for our good. And that last DOT is where it comes all together and we arrive at our ultimate destination -- to live forever with the original DOT MAKER!

The Big Picture

Day 267 of Photo Inspirations -- The Big Picture
When I was a little girl, our "family" vacations were to see my "big" sister and her family in West Virginia.  Driving around those crazy mountains to get to Lantz, WV was exhilarating.  That's where my nieces, who were my age, lived. Playing Hide and Go Seek in those mountains and swimming in the river was AWESOME!  And, going to my "big" brother's and hanging out at the lake and learning to water ski was so thrilling and challenging.  He wouldn't let me get back into the boat until I conquered it. And riding the train to go to my other "big" sister's in Oklahoma was always exciting.  I would get to go to the "movies" when I went to her house.  

There was never an option to go to Disneyland or to Hawaii or to any other exotic or "expensive" location.  What I didn't know -- didn't hurt me, because  I don't ever remember wishing for those places -- you know -- the BIG PICTURE of what's available out there.  I just remember those trips to see my siblings and my nieces and nephews that were the most exciting adventures EVER.  Fact is, we could never have afforded to go to those places, but I didn't know that.  My parents never talked about our lack or our financial status.  And, even after my Daddy graduated to heaven when I was just 15, my precious mother made sure I didn't lack a thing.

My Mom and Dad did KNOW the BIG PICTURE. They had a SUPER HERO mentality even before the likes of the "super heroes" our kids have today.  I saw "The Avengers" movie with my grandsons while I've been here in WA (e.g. Captain America, Iron Man,Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow). Those guys have impressive "super" powers.    Those super heroes, however, have nothing to compare with the ultimate SUPER HERO who my parents depended on during the toughest of times and who I've depended upon during my own challenging times.  And, I've consistently reminded myself of the BIG PICTURE.  Not what I've missed or not what I think is best for me, but what God is to me.  If there's a BIG PICTURE I learned from my parents -- it was their faith that knew no bounds.  In the times of my Dad's sickness and the times of his graduation to heaven, I knew it wasn't my Mom's own abilities -- it was her dependence on her SUPER HERO.  Psalm 24:8  "Who is the King (Super Hero) of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle."  Vs. 10 "Who is He, this King of Glory?  The Lord of the heavenly armies.  He is the King of Glory."

It's not WHAT you know.  It's WHO you know that counts.  And, I know Him.  And I love that my grandkids know the difference in those make-believe super heroes and the REAL ONE.  Bryson had a crazy headache yesterday.  We didn't call on Thor or Iron Man or Captain America for relief. Brennan and Nana called on the King of Glory -- strong and mighty -- to touch Him with HIS mighty powers......and HE DID!

The BIG PICTURE is our GREAT BIG God Who sees all and knows all, loves us beyond what we can think or imagine.  He's the reason why I am so joy-filled, so optimistic and so free.   I know Him...personally and intimately.  He's my Lord -- strong and mighty -- my King, my Super Hero, my everything....and that's THE BIG PICTURE!