One year my parents decided that we would take an extended family vacation, and our destination was to the southwest area of the US. It was the first time as a family that we had taken more than a day or two for a "mini" get away, and we were going to take this adventure with the aid of a tent and camp stove. No first class hotels or dining in four star restaurants. At the time we were excited to actually see the sites read about in the tourist books, but I realize today that this not quite two week adventure was a continuation of the lessons my parents daily taught and modeled in cooperation, teamwork, patience, and thankfulness.

Camping for the first time we learned quickly the lessons on how to live through the trials of rain and sand. Who likes waking up in the middle of the night because drops of rain are dripping on your head? And how is it that sand particles can always find their way into the tent easier than they can find their way out?

Today's Old Testament reading (Genesis 22: 1-19) centers around the trials surrounding a different type of camping expedition. Abraham and Isaac set out one morning on a three day journey to a site God had chosen. This wasn't a father-son bonding trip to see the magnificent touristy sites of the Middle East. This instead was a journey that would lead to an ultimate sacrifice. Do you think Abraham shared with his wife the itinerary before he left home? Do you think he had conversations with Isaac as they traveled along the winding paths sharing the dreams he had for his son? Do you think they talked about the events of God's pre-birth announcement on how Isaac was just one "star" of the many descendants Abraham would have one day? Do you think Abraham slept at all as they were camping along the way?

Nothing is said of the turmoil bombarding Abraham's heart. Did Abraham question God along the forty-five to fifty mile journey about this "plan?" Was he asking God to "take this cup from me" and provide another way out? Did he take an excessively long time to cut enough wood so he could prolong leaving home? And was Abraham contemplating the charges of child abuse or attempted murder that would await him when he came back home?

The answer to each of the above questions is simple: Abraham trusted. Notice he didn't try to talk God out of it. We don't read about the incessant number of excuses he could have come up with. He took a leap of faith for one simple reason: God asked him to. He trusted God to keep His promise that through Isaac a great nation would be established. How that was to be accomplished was up to God, not him. He also modeled to his son cooperation, teamwork, patience, and thankfulness in doing God's will.

God stretched Abraham's faith in ways that Abraham probably thought wasn't possible. He stretches our faith, too, taking us places and placing events in our life that we wish weren't there. But like Abraham, we are assured that He will set aflame the altar we've built for Him in our heart as the Holy Spirit works within us to spread His word.

What event has God placed in your life today that you are wishing wasn't there, and how willing are you to allow Him to stretch you to limits you never thought possible as you make the daily expedition of living in God's grace?

Enjoying the ride,

Jane