Growing a Goldfish

   

   One of the interesting things I learned from having goldfish, is their ability to grow.  Their growth can actually be hindered by their environment.  If they remain in a small fish bowl, they will never grow any larger, put them into a larger tank or pond, they will grow to meet their surroundings.  We’re no different.  Your environment can limit your growth.  If you never experience different surroundings, you think life can and is, only what you have always known.  You stay the same, and always do everything the same.

    In my many years as a homeschooling Mom, one of my requirements for graduation was they had to go on a mission trip to another country.  They had to experience life beyond the plains of the Midwest.  Each of my kids went and the experiences were life changing in so many ways.  They learned life’s wasn’t all about them.  They grew in ways that our current home status could never offer.  They learned life is always learning, always growing.

  Jesus taught the same thing when He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark16:15.  Go, reach out in life beyond your borders of your home.  Share with others, give of yourself.  It will be a blessing to others, and cause you to grow.  

  

Lessons from a Goldfish

 My backyard pond has been a really fun place to raise a few goldfish.  I’ve never had goldfish before in my life, so learning how to care for them was a small learning curve for me.

     One thing I learned was; raising goldfish in an outdoor pond can be fresh fast food for the stray cats in the neighborhood.  I started out with 30 small goldfish, and within days was down to five.  Some fishing happy kitties had their fill of fish filet, and were enjoying this fresh entree.   I learned in order for my little gold fish to survive, I was going to have to protect them.  Although it spoiled the beauty of the pond, I installed a net over the pond to keep the roaming fishing kitties out.  This reminds me of how God spreads His net of protection over us, when we come into His pond to live.  Psalms 91:1 MSG says, “You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm…”  God’s divine protection has saved my life many of times from lurking evil that was seeking to destroy me.  Coming under God’s love and protection is a pond worth living in!

    

Runway on My Roof

 

Runway on My Roof

 As I begin, and am adapting to living in a motorhome full time, I’ve experienced a few interesting things that aren’t normal to living in a stick built house.    This morning, as I sat at my table finishing up my breakfast and coffee, I suddenly heard clicky footsteps, or maybe I should say ‘claw steps.’  Some bird was using my roof as a runway.  Prepare for take off, right after landing.  It all made me chuckle.

    I’ve also had a serious conversation with a crow, who was perched on the roof of the building next to me.  He was ‘caw cawin’’ away, and I started to answer him.  He looked around, as if to see where I was, and who was talking to him, and then he ‘caw’d’ back.  Back and forth we talked.  I guess I can speak Crow, I’m bilingual.  Of course speaking Crow is way better than eating crow.

  Just like the unidentified bird who used my roof as a run way, I’m on a journey, and often have to touch down for a landing, to find the next direction.  I want a clear and straight runway, so I don’t trip up.  Sometimes the road can have lots of twists and turns, and for me, who often gets motion sickness, too many curves makes me loose my lunch.  Too many turns can make it easy for the enemy to trip us up and conquer us.  Psalms 6:7 tPt says; “My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart. There are so many enemies who come against me!” We loose our focus easily when too many things are hitting us from every direction.

  An encouraging verse in Psalms 5:8 tPt, wonderfully says: “Yahweh, lead me in the pathways of your pleasure just like you promised me you would, or else my enemies will conquer me. Smooth out your road in front of me, straight and level so that I will know where to walk.”  

God in his loving mercy comes in and shows us the straight path, and the right road to choose. 

May your journey of life find that straight and level pathway. Enjoy the journey as you walk with God.

Setting Out on a Coddiwomple Adventure

 Setting out on a Coddiwomple Adventure

The Great Adventure       

By Stephen Curtis Chapman

“Saddle up your horses

We’ve got a trail to blaze

Through the wild blue yonder of God’s Amazing Grace

Let’s follow our leader in the glorious unknown

This is the life like no other whoa

This is the Great Adventure”

     This song has been one of my all time favorites for years, and in fact it’s been the ring tone on my phone for over 10 years.  I’ve sung it, I’ve listened to it, but most of all I’ve lived it, and I am now off on another adventure.  But what is an adventure?  According to the dictionary an adventure is: An exciting or very unusual experience, a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.   I’m setting out in a Coddiwomple way; which means to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.  That’s what is happening in my life right now. I’m going to begin to travel with purpose but the destination is vague right now.

     Recently I made the decision to leave Kenmare and Alive Christian Fellowship as the pastor.  Now what to do?  I just feel it’s time to for me to do something different and take a new direction in ministry.  I’ve loved pastoring Alive Christian Fellowship and will miss the people very much.  I’ve been here in Kenmare at Alive CF almost seven years.  It’s been quite the ride.  There’s been some highs and some lows, but God has been with me through it all.

     At the time of this writing, my plan is to sell my house here, and then find a motorhome and travel wherever the Lord leads.  I’m available to come preach, sing, do my comedy act, or just help out wherever.  Just like Jesus told Mary at the resurrection, “go and tell…” (Matt 28:10)  I feel compelled to go and tell the good news.  And like Jesus said of himself in Luke 4:43 “I must preach the good news, the Gospel, of the kingdom of God to the other cities and towns also, for I was sent for this purpose…”  I know I’m not Jesus, but I am part of His body.  He declared the purpose of His body, and now I get to do my assignment to complete that purpose. 

  For a season my assignment was here in Kenmare, sharing the Gospel with those in this area.  I gave it my all and poured my heart into it with everything I had.  But now that assignment is over. It’s time to take the next step, no matter how shaky and uncertain it seems, I go out following my Shepherds voice.  Like all things, this traveling about will be just for a season, although I don’t know yet the length of this season.   I do want to eventually have a ‘home base’ and a home/house to live in again.  

    I’m also working on completing my first book, “He Walked with Me Through.”  The story of walking through trauma, grief, and loss.  The book is in rough draft, but I’m hoping to have it published by the end of this year. 

    I’ve updated my blog site.  The web address is still: www.kelleycamera.blogspot.com but the emphasis is more on Unfolding Grace Ministry now.  I will be trying to post updates on where I am and what I’m doing on the blog.  I’ve even attached a way you can partner up and come along side me in the way of giving.  It’s not just money, I covet your prayers as I step out in this adventure.  Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.

    I want to say a big thank you to all who supported me and came along side me in this past year.  It was a long hard road of recovery following surgery, but things are looking so much better.  My year checkup appointment with Mayo went well.  Although the little bit of the tumor that they could not remove is still there, it has not grown or changed.  The doctor called it ‘stable’, I call it, “It must go, in Jesus name!”   The last check up on my eyes was positive too.  They no longer feel I will loose my eye sight!  That is a big Praise the Lord!  

   Until next time, may God’s grace (His divine influence in your life) continue to guide you.  I’ll keep you posted occasionally on how His grace is influencing me.

In His Unfolding Grace

 Kelley Reuer