Wednesday Wisdom: Taking it in Stride, For the Glory of God

"So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God."

(1 Cor 10:31 AMP)

It used to be when someone wanted to encourage you not to get all worked up about something, they might use the phrase “take it all in stride.” The dictionaries I consulted defined taking something in one’s stride as “to accept advances or setbacks as the normal course of events; to cope with something unfortunate without much effort; to accept or manage difficulties well.

My firstborn (a daughter) was a fairly easy child; my second-born (another daughter) was a bit more challenging—more stubborn, higher “maintenance;” my third-born (a son) took the cake. As a toddler, he would run off, get into many things he definitely should not—some of which were dangerous, and was generally very impulsive. As my mom would have put it, I had to “watch him like a hawk.” This proved to be exhausting at times, and as he got older other challenges followed.

This combined with our family’s financial and job-acquisition struggles over the years, navigating through the dramas of teenage girl years, and concerns and care decisions for both my parents’ life-altering health issues was a recipe—it would appear—for panic. And at times, I certainly did! But at some point, God had started a work in me. I guess one could call it a work of “peaceful assurance.” He changed my perspective on life from one of panic to one of hope.

Many things go wrong on any given day. Our schedules get unalterably thrown off. Just yesterday, I had the privilege of wading through a virtual lake at a store’s bottle return area. It was pouring down rain, and the whole pavement area surrounding the machines was flooded. But I needed to get the cans and bottles returned—so I took it all in stride. Yes, my feet were soaked by the time I was done, but I was no more the worse for wear. And while I was there, I met some folks who very likely did not have a warm, dry place to return to and may not have had extra pairs of shoes either.

While I was waiting in line behind another woman and she was waiting for a service person to come out and get the temperamental machine going again, I received a call from my son’s school. He had cut himself with an Exacto knife in his Engineering class and quite possibly needed stitches. I had a bunch of bottles I had de-capped and sorted into my cart—two dollars or more worth—but my son needed me, and I wasn’t going to be able to finish my task. I donated the bottles to the use of a lady (one of those “folks” I made reference to) who quite certainly needed them more than I. (Sometimes taking it all in stride means taking the opportunity to think of someone else’s needs.)

I mention these situations because they are the very types of things that would have thrown me into a tailspin in years past. My attitude would have been shot, my nerves frazzled, and my day pretty much ruined. But I’ve learned a secret. It lies in knowing that “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).” I have seen it time and time again, so I know I don’t need to worry over momentary discomforts, forgotten lunches, unfinished laundry, skewed schedules, and the like—He is a good God, and He’s got me covered.

A campfire is a place to sit around, relax, reflect—even laugh. Our lives should reflect that same atmosphere as we walk through life’s challenging moments. Instead of allowing ourselves to fumble around carelessly with our perspectives and “fall into the fire,” so to speak, it is so much more life-giving to embrace a "Kumbayah" mindset. The word ‘kumbaya’ means “Come by here” and is from a 1930s African spiritual. Whenever we need help—even in the small, seemingly insignificant things—we are to call on the Lord. He will come by, taking it all in stride and ready to intervene—no doubt about it—even if you don’t see Him at work.

“When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me (Psalm 86:7).” How our faith will grow if we can grasp that He is near and that He wants to be intimately involved in all that we say and do. How petty some of our “big deals” will become, and how much more whole-heartedly we will be able to “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,…(Psalm 103:2, ESV). My brothers and sisters, I encourage you—for the wealth of your future, starting  today—allow Him to teach you to take it all in stride. Remember that we live not unto ourselves, but that whatever we do is to be “all for the honor and glory of God.” May He be glorified in your stride today, and in mine as well.