Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . When we run and hide, there is someone who cares enough to come looking for us. My keyboard must be broken. I keep hitting the escape key—but I’m still here. –Anonymous When life overwhelms us—when we’re hurt, confused, and troubled—we often run. We try to escape. We stop answering the phone. We binge Netflix. We open the fridge. We uncork the bottle. No matter where we hide, someone sees us. No matter where we run, someone comes looking for us. He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find one lost sheep. Throughout the Holy Script, God reveals this aspect of his character. In Genesis, before the law and the prophets, he seeks a young runaway. Her story begins with a promise God made to Abram (before renaming him Abraham). “Look at the stars. Can you count them? So shall your offspring be.” [1] One issue mocks the fulfillment of this promise. Abram’s wife Sarai [2] is barren. The pain of infertility cuts deep. She offers Abram Plan B: bear childre...

Welcome to Real Life . There have been days when I’ve felt like a bird. “Dear God, make me a bird so I can fly far, far away from here.” –Jenny Curran, Forrest Gump Alone on my porch, I sat watching a solitary sparrow perched on a wire. I was a young mom then, battling postpartum depression. I was home alone. My husband had taken our baby and toddler to a family graduation party. I normally love parties. But the thought of maintaining a semblance of normalcy was beyond me that day. Sitting outdoors—feeling the breeze, seeing the grass, trees, and animals of God’s creation—heals my soul. It did then. It does now. That’s me, Lord, a bird alone on a wire. I told him. Somehow the image brought me comfort. Birds are skittish creatures. Easy prey if not for their ability to vanish in an instant. My husband and I have recently become avid bird watchers. We’ve learned to keep absolutely still. Scratch your nose. They flee. In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: ...