That’s me all right… “Broken Record.” It’s true on so many levels… !!!
How many times have I said the following words to You, Lord? “You take my breath away!” “You never cease to amaze me!” “You fill my cup to overflowing!” And how often have they been true? At least once, every single day?!
Like today. Even my recent ravings about my bike rides are becoming a series of “songs” on another broken record. But I can’t help it! It isn’t about the bike rides. It’s about the encounters with You, Lord, on the bike rides!
As usual, today we took the same eight-mile route. It is fairly flat (Hallelujah!) and has the least amount of car/truck traffic of the roads in our area. I now have some favorite spots along our route. Places where You have met me and spoken to me with sweet whispers from Your heart to mine.
I have named those favorite spots in honor of the symbols through which You have spoken Your heart to me: Turkey Run Hill. Rainbow Bend. Shady Cattle Flats. Honeysuckle Ridge. Butterfly Way.
Today, You added a new one… in the most unusual way. I have had it drilled into my consciousness for most of my life that it is almost never wise for anyone (especially women) to pick up hitchhikers. In this case, I didn’t have a choice. Because You sent me this particular hitchhiker, Lord.
A Ladybug!
This was certainly a first for me! A totally unique experience! A ladybug, landing on my leg as I pedaled away. Staying with me (crawling all over my leg and, later, my t-shirt) for at least one mile. Then, as gently and quietly as she had arrived, she took off… and disappeared.
I had heard the folklore claim before. “If a ladybug lands on you, you are sure to have good luck.” Of course, I don’t believe in luck. I also — thanks to You, Lord — don’t believe in coincidence. So I wondered: What were You saying to me, Lord, through this tiny messenger? Why this? Why today?
When I got home, I did some research. That’s when I realized why You sent her to me today, Lord.
We are on this journey, You and I. A journey of going deeper. A journey of discovery — to better understand my core beliefs and root out whatever might still be hindering me Whatever lies — about You and/or about me — that might still be keeping me from desiring and embracing greater intimacy with You.
You have already shown me much on our journey together these last 28 years. You are showing me more every day.
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Being truly alive and free is the Life You have chosen for me, Lord. You made me alive the moment I opened my heart to You. And now, You are opening yet another door to greater freedom than ever before! Because I am Your daughter, Abba… a child of The King. So I am only hindered by the lies I believe.
So today, You send me a Ladybug — who, according to my research, means much more than “luck.” A Ladybug — a symbol of spiritual devotion, renewal and regeneration. A Ladybug — considered a blessing by farmers and gardeners (those who cultivate Life). A Ladybug — a predator of destructive insects, who appears to be fearless. A Ladybug — whose spiritual message is “Keep your heart open. Let go of your own way… and let God have His.”
Yep… The perfect new God-encounter “spot” on our eight-mile bike ride: Ladybug Mile.
So I say it again: “You take my breath away!” “You never cease to amaze me!” “You fill my cup to overflowing!”
“I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2)
A Broken Record, gladly singing Your songs over and over and over again…
Abba’s Girl