The Flame Within

Standing in Walmart, waiting to check out, my first son began screaming bloody murder.  I was a new mother, my little man was 5 months old, in an attempt to make him happy I began using all the tools in my “mommy” tool box.  Let me just say…  My first son was… one tough baby and toddler.  He was strong-willed, beyond the definition of “strong-willed”.  Calming this child when he was mad, was never an easy task.  Standing there in the check-out lane, I began bouncing my little one in an attempt to calm his wailing screams.  At that moment, a middle aged woman walked up to me and said, “You know that it’s not good to bounce your child up and down!  Bouncing them hurts their belly.  Right now your actually making that baby cry!”  Let me just say, I was beside myself!  I didn’t say a word, I just walked out to the car, strapped my screaming son into his car seat, and sat behind the steering wheel and bawled.  

Sitting in Bible study a few days ago, the women in the room were discussing the way God knows each one of us individually, and knows how to guide, direct, and comfort each one toward their own individual bent.  

My mind flashed back to that moment, almost 12 years ago, when that rude woman sent me to my car bawling.  It was as if the Lord, was sitting right there next to me.   He spoke such profound wisdom into my heart.  “Remember that time, that woman in Walmart, who told you, your baby was crying because you were bouncing him?”  In my heart, (not out loud in the group), I responded, “Yes!”  God spoke these words into my very soul, “Crystal, You know your child more than anyone else in the world!  You knew how to calm him back then and you still know “best” how to calm him when he is upset.  Crystal, you know how to calm your babies!  That’s a unique and special bond I’ve given to a mother and a child!  Crystal, Guess what?”  Thinking to myself, I responded, “What?”  God whispered into my soul, “I am your bouncer!  I know how to calm you in away, no other person, place, or thing ever will!”

Let me just say…  Tears welled up in my eyes and as I shared with the women in the group.  I told the women in the study what God spoke into my heart! 

Today, friends I ask you…  Is God your bouncer?  Do you allow God to comfort and pacify your soul?  Do you head to God when you are sad, hurting, or afraid?  Do you allow God to use the special tools he alone knows, to calm and satisfy your needs?  

Or do you head to worldly and temporary misfits, such as food, drugs, sex, shopping… you fill in the blank____________?  All in an attempt to satisfy your needy spirit?  

We are all guilty to some degree, of seeking fulfillment outside of God’s comforting hands.  

I want to learn to sprint to the Lord, when my heart is in dire need of comfort.  As I learn this vital lesson and dependence on God, maybe I’ll begin to notice changes in my life…  Maybe the scale will begin dropping unwanted pounds, my debt will decrease (thus making a happier hubby), codependent relationships will cease, and I will be fully satisfied.

Friends, let me ask you again, “Is God your bouncer?”

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Philippians 4:6: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done”.

Blessings, Crystal