F.R.O.G.

Do you remember the F.R.O.G. bracelets you used to wear as a kid? They came out shortly after the WWJD bracelets and they stood for Fully Rely On God. I had one as a kid; probably more as a fashion statement in a Christian school more than a statement about my faith though. You were cool if you had a FROG bracelet, WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelet, DOG (Depend On God) bracelet and any other acronym you can think of to cover your wrists and go up your arms.

However as the years have gone by, I have forgotten about my FROG bracelet and the meaning behind it, until this week. I am an independent person and like to take care of things myself without help if possible. And if I do need help, I am the one who calls the shots because I know what I need and how to do it. Monday, on the way home from work, my car died after stopping at a gas station. After countless attempts to revive it on my own, I finally asked the clerk at the station if he could jump me off. This was totally out of my comfort zone. He were unable to so I then reverted to asking people who came into the gas station for help. Now I was really out of my comfort zone and just praying to God that He would get me to an auto parts store. Finally, a good samaritan jumped me off and off I went to NAPA get my battery changed. Well, the guy at NAPA tested my battery and said it was fully charged and that I must have just left something on. I was relieved and then went home.

The next morning I went out to start my car to go to work and it was dead…again. I was distraught, mad, confused, and irritated. I rode with Tascha, dropped her off at work before taking myself to work. That night Tascha’s dad jumped me off and we took it to the dealership to get checked out. The next morning the dealer called and said the battery stem was bent and the battery was dead and needed to be replaced. Situation resolved…or is it?

The entire time was car was out of commission, I was totally stressed. I was stressed because I was out of control and could not fix it. I relied on my own skills, abilities, and strengths and totally left God out of the picture until I was desperate for someone to jump my car off. Far too often in life we seek God’s guidance, help, grace and love only when we have tried everything in our own power to provide for ourselves. This isn’t just a secular thing either, it’s a ministry thing. That’s usually what causes burn out for so many people in full time ministry. God tells us in Matthew 6: 25-34 not to worry about our lives. He takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. How much more does He love us and will He take care of us and provide! God provided a random stranger to jump my car off the first time and an awesome father-in-law to do it the second time. He has provided a car for me to drive that hasn’t had any major issues (needing a battery is not a major issue) and more than that, I have shelter, food, a job and more love from my family and friends than I could ever repay on my own.

My God is sooooo good! There is no one like Him! Listen to this song, “You Never Fail” by Hillsong Live. The chorus states “Strong through every trial, Faithful through the night. Our God will never fail. Our God will never fail! Anchor through the flood. You keep holding on! I know You'll never fail. Jesus You'll never fail!” God has been this to me this week and I hope that whatever situation you are in, you will find comfort in Him.