One Step At a Time

I remember when I was about 12 years old, and went to summer camp for a week, and my friends Shawne & Tisa (sisters) were there, along with their friends, Wendy & Cindy (also sisters… and, yes, that was really their names). Now, FROM DAY ONE, I had my eye on Cindy… and by the end of the week, lol, I’d worked up (I thought) enough nerve to ask her to be my girlfriend. I knew she liked me… everyone had been telling me… but to form those words in my mouth, and ask, “Can I have a chance?” (which is how we asked back in the day), was traumatizing me! Finally, after sitting with Cindy alone for about TWENTY MINUTES or so, I finally just blurted out, “CAN I HAVE A CHANCE?” And, exasperated, she yells as she walks away, “YES!!” I did it… Cindy was my girlfriend! I was so happy, I didn’t know what to do! No matter it was our last night at camp, CINDY. WAS. MINE!!! I had been voted Camper of the Week (for the 2nd straight week), and had a beautiful girlfriend to boot. 🙂

On that last night, all the campers were to gather for one last large group meeting… so I got down to the building early so that I could claim seats for me and Cindy. I waited and waited, and finally Wendy shows up and sits next to me and says, “Cindy says she doesn’t want to be your girlfriend anymore… you took too long to ask her. But don’t worry… I’ll be your girlfriend for this last night.” Maaaaan… I was some kinda deflated! I was 12, a pre-teen now… plus, I was camper of the week… I couldn’t let anyone see me cry, lol. So, I sat there… numb… with Wendy, and feeling stupid. And confused.

I don’t think I heard much of what the speaker said that night, but I do vividly remember God speaking to this 12 – year old through a song that we sang… and the words were: “One step at a time, only one step at a time… That is the way the Lord will lead you, one step at a time… Take that one step carefully… Walk that one step prayerfully… THIS is the way to victory… ONE STEP AT A TIME.”

I’ve never forgotten those words… and there is usually never a time when I don’t need the Lord’s wisdom that the song doesn’t pop into my mind. Maybe you’re hurt… confused… angry at life or your circumstances… uncertain about the future… you need to know that GOD IS FOR YOU, AND HE CARES ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH. Every hurt. Every tear that falls. He sees it… and He cares. The Bible says we are to cast “all our cares upon him, because He cares” for us (1 Peter 5:7). And I’m here to tell you: if He would stoop to wipe the tears from the face of one confused, broken-hearted little 12-yr old boy… YOU can trust Him. He will do the same for you…

One step at a time… only one step at a time. THAT is the way the Lord will YOU – one step at a time!

Take that one step carefully… walk that one step prayerfully. THIS is the way to victory…

One. Step. At. A. Time.