I was in heaven the first time I went to the zoo. All of those large and strange animals. Elephants, giraffes, lions, gorillas—what on earth?? Looking at these creatures made me feel small and insignificant. In a good way, if that is possible to understand. Feeling the presence of God on display through His creation. As a child, realizing for the first time it wasn’t all about my little world. There was so much more out there I needed to see and learn about. My dad saw my excitement and wonder and noted that.
I remember waking from a bad dream where our house was on fire and we couldn’t get out. I would fearfully run into my parents bedroom. My dad was on the side of the bed closest to the door. When I woke him and told him my dream, he would hold me and say, “It’s ok, Heidi, go back to bed and think about the zoo.”
He knew I would be comforted by that, as I loved animals. Yet, when I went back to bed, I would inevitably be back in the dream with fire. This time, the zoo was on fire.
Sometimes, no matter who is there to comfort us, our minds will not settle. Self-centered fear and anxiety is all-consuming. What then?
Even as a 10-year-old, I knew the presence of God. Nothing in this world would comfort at times. As a highly-sensitive child, all circumstances affected me in a way I could not control. I knew I was powerless then. I knew how to talk to God. It was the only thing that could calm me down.
Then I found alcohol in my late teens. I had forgotten my connection with God who was my calmer. Alcohol had become my god. It was the only thing in this world that had the power to calm me. It worked for many years. Then it didn’t.
When I finally stopped using alcohol as my calmer because my life was out of control, I realized, once again, I was powerless. Over everything, not just my addiction. I turned back to the wonder of God.
Now, when my house is on fire (so to speak)—upset, drama in my life, fear...I hear my dad’s voice saying, “Think about the zoo.”—in other words, turn to God’s creation, look outside of selfish fear and be comforted by God. The source of all power to sustain me in times of trouble.
Surrender.
Pray.
Think about the zoo.
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Romans 1:20
To buy my books, click on the website menu bar at the top of this page.
