{{item.title | uppercase}}

I stood in my newly renovated kitchen staring at the only thing left to do before I could call the project complete. It was a small wall in need of a fresh coat of paint!

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. Most of you are probably saying, “What’s the big deal?” Trust me, I was asking myself the same thing.

But I knew what all the anxiety was about.

My husband was an excellent painter and loved doing it. He wasn’t a professional but he could have been! So whenever there was a wall to paint he had no problem doing the job. He was also picky, so I just left him alone with his paint can, rollers and brushes.

Consequently, I had very little experience doing this in the past, which at least partially caused my anxiety. Furthermore, I did not like the fact that now this was my responsibility. It was another reminder that he was gone.

The anxiety was paralyzing!

As I stood looking at that wall, secretly hoping it would just paint itself, I felt like the Israelites must have felt when God told them to cross the Jordan River at flood stage! Terrified and overwhelmed.

Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
Joshua 1:2 (NIV)

The Lord had told Joshua to get ready.

On a mission trip to Arizona a year and a half after my husband’s death and just a few short months before my stare down with my kitchen wall, I believe the Lord told me to get ready as well.

We were serving a small Christian camp helping to renovate some of their buildings. The first day involved ripping up existing carpet, scraping floors, laying new carpet squares and windows cleaned. The challenge for me came on the second day!

My project for the day was to paint a hallway. There was no way to back out of doing this so I accepted the challenge and forged ahead! All the while I wondered what Vic would think of my technique and would he be proud of me? If I am honest, it was a bit gratifying to step out of my comfort zone and skill level.

I believe God used that task to show me that I could do things for myself and that I did not need to rely on others to do everything for me. It gave me new confidence in myself to do something I had not done before.

Unfortunately, that confidence didn’t last long.

I allowed the Enemy to tell me I couldn’t do it. And so I stood there scared and timid. And then I remembered what else God had told Joshua.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I was not alone that morning as I stood before that wall. The Lord was with me just as He was with Joshua and the nation of Israel.

That morning, with a paintbrush in my hand, I “stepped into the Jordan” and I didn’t drown!!

Dare to take a step into your “Jordan River.”

I don’t know what your “Jordan Rivers” may be but I pray that you will be strong and courageous remembering that the Lord will be with you wherever you go or in whatever you may do.

Lord, help us to trust You as we step in our “Jordan Rivers” of widowhood. Strengthen us by Your Spirit and grant us the courage to move forward with the assurance that You are with us. Amen