About Me

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Blue Ridge Area of Virginia
Alicha McHugh is author of "Daughter of the Promise" first in her: Numbered Among the Stars series (available on Amazon.com). She is a homemaker to her husband of 15 years, homeschooler to their children. Writing, enjoying tea and creaming Raw Honey are three of her current pursuits. Grabbing time to read is always high on her list of priorities! If you'd like to contact her, she'd love to hear from you! Just email: alichamchugh@gmail.com

Monday, January 24, 2011

We walk on water too...

Casting Crown's Voice of Truth brought this 2 year old post to mind yesterday. Here are some key lyrics...

~~~But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth...~~~


I envied Peter. He knew the feel of sliding liquid beneath his feet, instead of firm ground, and still...he walked. The whole experience so foreign, so unforgettable. Think about it for a moment. The boat, a place he'd lived his whole life, feeling more at home on it than Matthew or John would have. The wind, an element never to be underestimated. Jesus, the one foretold since the beginning of time, his teacher and friend. And let's not forget his mouth which got him out of the boat in the first place. Remember what he said, "Lord if it is you..." And there it is...Even before getting out of the boat, Peter has questions, but he questions WITH hope.

Not too long ago I was looking back, not always a bad thing, remembering what it felt like when I dwelt with the Lord during painful times. I kinda' camped out in his grace, saw by the light of his mercy, and moment by moment was made mindful of the "hope of his calling". He tells us through Jeremiah, "I know the plans that I have for you, plans for good not evil, to give you a future and a hope." More than any other verse, I held on to that one in particular.

The past couple of years, I've had a sorta reprieve from chaos. The rain dissipated and the gardens of my life had a chance to grow in sunlight, the tears I had cried, full of the nourishing Word of God, fell on my parched soul, allowing the Lord to produce certain fruits in my life.

But there is something bittersweet about the time before the sun. A time when I saw only clouds of sorrow hovering over the horizon; when I trusted that the sun was still there, while embracing the storms. Looking back, I struggled for words to describe what it felt like being with the Lord, depending on him for my EVERYTHING.

At first the word 'floating' came to mind...but that was too easy a description for what I felt, what I went through. Carry? Not that either. I didn't feel carried, though I felt upheld. I felt...steadied. I felt the lion's breath, but not his teeth; the heat from the fire, but not the flame; the water, but not the waves. In a very real sense to me, I realized with surprise, it felt like I had walked on water with Christ. I walked with faith and, amazingly, there were times I didn't sink. But when the doubts began to overwhelm me and I faltered, the wind picked up and the waves rose up against me, I called out, just as Peter had, and He upheld me by his righteous right hand and guided me to a 'safe harbor' (Psalm 107).

But now, it seems, I've been too long on shore. My feet have gotten dry and I've begun to long for the salty air of ocean breezes and the constant dependency upon my Savior, who is closer than a brother. I've seen the warning signs from the harbor, the storms are returning. But this time, it's different. This time I remember...we do not walk so well with God in gardens anymore; so He takes us out into deep waters, that we may know our feet are made of clay. But God, who delights to do the impossible, has caused me to walk on water before, and by his strength, I look forward to meeting him out there again. Out beyond the 'safe harbor', out where faith changes the very nature of the elements as God transforms their effects on the very soul.

To God be the Glory, great things he has done and is doing...in all our lives!

4 comments:

With Joy only the Savior can give, Tiffany said...

Wow. So amazing. I love this visual and I absolutely love you writing. To God be the Glory for this amazing gift He has given you. I am continually delighted to get know you. What a wonderful friend you. May God give you grace in your heart and fluid in your pen to keep on this awesome writing.
with much love,
Tiffany Gokey

Alicha McHugh said...

Wow Tiffany! Thanks for reading and thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! God is so good!!!

Ginger E. said...

What a beautiful illustration!! I can so identify. It is so much easier to fix our gaze on Jesus in the storms than in the mundane business of life. To have that dependency, urgency for Christ in all weather at all times - We have this lesson in Good News Club next week, Jim is teaching it - Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” is the verse we teach along with the lesson. You do have a WAY WITH WORDS!!! love it.

Alicha McHugh said...

Thank you, Ginger! As always, you encourage my heart and walk with the Lord! Awesome timing with Psalm 46:1! I know Jim'll do a great job! BTW ~What a great ministry you have with the Good News Clubs! Everytime you mention it, it's with such passion and dedication that it reminds me to "always be abounding in the work of the Lord!" Love you much~A.