My eyes widened as I scanned the room and noticed the sea of heads. Tilting my face upward, I looked at my daddy standing beside me. He pressed his lips into a thin line and reassured me with his warm brown eyes. I recalled his words from the previous day when I admitted this would be difficult.
Take the first step, God will take the rest.
I looked back at the heads. Shades of brown and blonde were accented with the full spectrum of white, silver and gray. If you looked at the right angle, more than a few had a blue tint. The lone redhead near the front perfectly complimented the colors in the stained-glass.
My dad nodded as I glanced up at him once more. He didn’t notice the moisture left by my palms on the pew in front of us. The faded, red carpet seemed to stretch on for miles, but the decision had already been made. I deliberately picked up my right foot and realized it too was sweating inside my white leather sandals.
I took one step
I had no awareness of my legs carrying me down the aisle. In a moment I was standing beside Brother Crumley at the altar. Even on my tiptoes, I was too short to see my parents who were still in their regular seats on the back row.
God took the rest
Acts 2:41, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized…” NKJV
A WALK DOWN MEMORY AISLE
I felt like I was magically transported down the aisle where I could see the faces on the other side of the colored heads. Now that I am grown, I don’t believe in magic anymore. This may surprise you, but I tend to be a skeptic. An optimistic skeptic, but a skeptic nonetheless.
My yellow dress with green embroidery had criss-cross straps in the back. The pastor’s auburn colored comb-over and wire-rimmed glasses are etched clearly in my memory bank. I don’t know the exact date, but can determine the time of year because of the weather. I still have no explanation for my complete lapse of leg awareness, except I had faith in my father’s words.
Take the first step, God will take the rest.
Ephesians 3:20, “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” MSG
WHAT ABOUT NOW?
Walking doesn’t require tremendous skill, though a year ago it required strength I didn’t have. Walking doesn’t require courage, but the first step certainly does. Once you plant your sweaty little hoof out there in the aisle, you are committed. Afterwards it’s simple, one foot in front of the other propels you forward. The first step is always the hardest part. I’m smiling and shaking my head as I think about the accumulation of perspiration on my palms and soles at the mere thought of being in front of crowd, since that’s kind of what I do now.
2 Corinthians 4:13, “Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we also speak.'” ESV
WHAT AM I DOING?
Some days I still feel like that seven year old little girl when I publish my blog. I envision the virtual sea of colorful heads all over the world. My first clue I was severely under-qualified for technical work was the look on my son’s face when I asked him how to copy/paste for the fifth time. But the decision had been made and therefore the commitment, so I took the first step. My Heavenly Father is beside me, nodding His encouragement, nudging me and reminding me of my earthly father’s words,
Take the first step; God will take the rest.
2 Timothy 4:17, “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” NIV
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What is God calling you to do? Does it require you to step out in the aisle or your comfort zone and walk to the front? You have a choice. Will you decide to follow Jesus wherever He leads? Take that hard first step in faith and put one foot in front of the other. Maybe it’s time to overcome your sweaty palms and feet, turn around and face the crowd. You know, what my dad said is still true.
Take the first step, God will take the rest #courage #rtp Click To Tweet
Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” HCSB
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How many times I took a step backwards instead of stepping out in faith! I am so thankful and blessed that God forgives those times and redeems them for us.
Only by His strength and power do we keep moving forward
Amen! Blessed that we are so loved by Him.
I read your blog every time one comes to my email. I don’t miss a one. And there have been times when something you said has helped me tremendously!! I so appreciate what you do. Thank you so much.
That’s God! Thanks
So glad you took that first step with blogging Vickie ( in spite of copy and paste inadequacies!). The world is a better and more enlightened space because of the words you share.
A blessing as always. I always look forward to your blog as it is always uplifting and encouraging. God gave a talent for writing. I think you could write a women’s devotion book like Jesus Calling. I know I would buy one as much as I enjoy your blog. It is good for thought at least. Thanks!
You are such an encouragement to me. I am working on a book, but devotionals are hard. I write a few which are published in My Journey of Faith online magazine.
Stepping out and following God’s leading always seems to include a certain amount of fear. 🙂 How wonderful to know He is right there with us every step of the way!
Every single step! yes
I love this post. I can see you making that journey down that aisle. Thanks for the reminder of an eternal truth.
Okay…stepping out…very soon!!! Thanks for the nudge. 🙂
Go for it!
I went back and read this again – I needed reminding that God has prepared the way. He is my LORD and He holds me by my right hand and tells me not to fear – HE WILL HELP ME!!! Thanks for being who you are!
Never a dull moment