Following in His Footsteps by Guest blogger Nancy Varga

 “Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. The Son can do nothing by himself. He can do only what he sees his Father doing. What the Father does, the Son also does. This is because the Father loves the Son. The Father shows him everything he does. Yes, and the Father will show the Son even greater works than these. And you will be amazed.” John 5:19-20 (NIRV)

Brian and I are the proud grandparents to two very special little people.  We are new to this grand parenting thing, but as you can imagine, one of the joys of grand parenting is not only the grandkids themselves but watching your children become amazing parents! (There are days throughout their life that you can’t imagine them ever picking up after themselves let alone, being responsible for someone else!)  We have been additionally gifted in watching our son in law be an incredible dad. With great care and patience he leads the way on so many adventures for an almost 2 year old. The little guy just follows in his footsteps.  Have you watched a small child trying to keep up to his dad as they walk down the path?  The dad’s giant, long strides and the child’s quick, little running steps just to keep up trailing behind.  I remember going wherever my dad went. Most of the time it didn’t matter where he was going, it was special to just be going with him.

All of us are walking a path. All of us leave footsteps behind. What direction are our footsteps headed?  Who is following our footsteps?

When the kids* were little, Brian desired that they be exposed to different kinds of food. Along with hot peppers, he thought a taste for sardines would go a long way for them in life!  He would get out his can of sardines, and make a big fuss about what a delicious treat he was going to have. They would gather around him and clamor to be the first one to get a bite.  They all shared the same fork, Brian individually doling out a precious sardine into their mouths like little baby birds.   As they got older, they graduated to their own forks, but still they shared the same communal tin.  It wasn’t so much the eating of the sardines that mattered, but the bonding that was happening in the sharing.  (I’m sure part of the allure was grossing mom right out of the room with the smell!) 

The influence a parent can have is quite amazing isn’t it?  We all have people who follow in our footsteps. Our footsteps are creating a path. Whether we intend to or not.

The process is sometimes flawed in our earthly families. Sin makes a mess of lots of things. For some, it’s hard to imagine a dad that we want to follow. The Bible tells us/shows us that we have a father who loves us so much and is leading the way.

We have a perfect Heavenly Father whose footsteps we can follow.  Jesus showed us how.  Jesus followed His father’s footsteps. 

God the Father is intentional about the path He wants us to follow. 

As parents, grandparents, and influencers in children and young people’s lives we are reminded that we are setting an example whether we want to or not. Those special people in our life are following our example, good and bad.  We can be intentional about the footprints we are leaving, the path we are directing.  As children of God, we will know that path by following God our Father. We have the responsibility to make sure our footsteps are following our Heavenly Father’s footsteps. If we turn our eyes from the one we want to follow we may follow in someone else’s footprints and leave behind footsteps we didn’t set out to leave. 

As I remember the adventures with my dad and the strange bonding that happened in our family and as I watch my grandson follow his daddy’s footsteps, I am reminded of this unbelievable trust that is available to us. I followed my Dad because I knew that he loved me.  

Our heavenly Father loves us beyond our understanding! He knows where He’s going and what He’s doing. We don’t have to carve out a brand new path. God, our heavenly Father has planned the route.   He’s given us great big footprints to step in, to avoid some of the unnecessary mud and stumbling.

Our footprints don’t always lead perfectly.  But, our heavenly Father’s does. 

On this unique Father’s Day, follow in His footsteps.

*Only 2/3 of our kids have a taste for sardines and hot peppers still today. We were too busy and pre-occupied by the time the youngest came to intentionally pass on this delicacy. ;)

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Nancy Varga is the Family Ministry Director at Amberlea Presbyterian Church

There's another in the fire: You are not alone!

Music speaks to my soul like nothing else. Today I wanted to share with you a song that has been carrying me through these difficult times.

As I find myself in the “space between where I used to be and this reckoning”  — I am reminded that the truth of God’s love and mercy are still true.

This song, for me is a clear reminder that no matter how we are going through these times, and no matter what we are going through outside of Covid — we will never be alone.

Take a listen to my new favourite song by pressing the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmNc0L7Ac5c

You might recognize the reference to the amazing biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Click here to read this story! 

I pray this will minister to your soul as it has mine.

Be well.

Another in the fire

There's a grace when the heart is under fire

Another way when the walls are closing in

And when I look at the space between

Where I used to be and this reckoning

I know I will never be alone

There was another in the fire

Standing next to me

There was another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

Of how I've been set free

There is a cross that bears the burden

Where another died for me

There is another in the fire

All my debt left for dead beneath the waters

I'm no longer a slave to my sin anymore

And should I fall in the space between

What remains of me and this reckoning

Either way I won't bow to the things of this world

And I know I will never be alone

There is another in the fire

Standing next to me

There is another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

What power set me free

There is a grave that holds no body

And now that power lives in me

There is another in the fire, oh

There is another in the fire, whoa

There is another in the fire, whoa

There is another in the fire, oh

I can see

And I can see the light in the darkness

As the darkness bows to Him

I can hear the roar in the heavens

As the space between wears thin

I can feel the ground shake beneath us

As the prison walls cave in

Nothing stands between us

Nothing stands between us

There is no other name but the name that is Jesus

He who was and still is, and will be through it all

So come what may in the space between

All the things unseen and this reckoning

And I know I will never be alone

And I know I will never be alone

There'll be another in the fire

Standing next to me

There'll be another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

How good You've been to me

I'll count the joy come every battle

'Cause I know that's where You'll be

I can see the light

And I can see the light in the darkness

As the darkness bows to Him

I can hear the roar in the heavens

As the space between wears thin

I can feel the ground shake beneath us

As the prison walls cave in

Nothing stands between us

Nothing stands between

There'll be another in the fire

Standing next to me

There'll be another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

How good You've been to me

I'll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that's where You'll be

Count the joy come every battle

'Cause I know that's where You'll be

I'll count the joy come every battle

'Cause I know that's where You'll be, sing it again

I'll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that's where You'll be

I'll count the joy come every battle

'Cause I know that's where You'll be

Source: LyricFind; Songwriters: Chris Davenport / Joel Timothy Houston; Another In The Fire lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Guest blogger Anna Varga: New Hope

When I think back to when I was a little girl, I think about all the fun things that I used to do, like going to Canada's Wonderland, or camping. I also remember being so excited for the future. Staying up late, hanging out with friends, dancing and singing more than ever. One thing I truly wanted to do when I got older was to be a counsellor at my favourite overnight camp. I wanted to teach kids about God's love just like they did for me! 

So last year when I spent my first summer working at Willow Springs Camp I was overjoyed to be a part of the secret service team working in the kitchen, and in skills. I also had hopes that the following summer I might get the opportunity to be a counsellor, something I had dreamed about for a long time. Sure enough, this year I was hired to be a junior counsellor and programmers assistant for the whole summer! I could not have been happier. I knew exactly what my summer was going to look like. It was like a dream!

But then, life hit a few bumps, and somehow we've all ended up in quarantine. Back in March I had high hopes for the summer. I had trusted that God would get us all where we needed to be to make camp happen normally. It came to April and I still had faith for camp this summer. Near the end of April, things still had not changed and I had high hopes that even if camp might be slightly different it would still be camp. 

During this time, it seemed no one had answers to anything, what summer would look like or school in the fall! So I went to the person I knew I could trust the most. I went to God and I asked for some guidance. The truth is I didn’t get a yes or no answer from Him, but what I got was new hope. I knew deep down that my summer wasn’t going to be what I wanted, but I came to know that whatever it was going to be was what God had intended for me. 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not unseen.” 
Hebrews 11:1

So, in May when they announced that all overnight camps would not be happening, I was crushed. Even though I knew it was coming I was still so sad. The wonderful team that would have led me this summer reminded me that it’s okay to be sad, and to mourn. Jesus wants us to mourn and take comfort in Him, so that’s what I did. I took time to be sad. To think about all the things I had missed and was going to miss. But, what makes me get up for another day of online school and life, is the hope that God has good things in store for me. God works in mysterious ways. When I feel like doors keep getting slammed in my face, God opens another door, and all I need to do is have enough faith to walk through it. 

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 
Psalm 34:18

Still today I have no idea what my plans are, and I know there will probably be more disappointments ahead in this crazy time. But, what I am absolutely sure is that good things are coming, even if I don’t see it. God has a plan for each and everyone of us, we just need to trust in Him. Moving forward, I’m not going to be scared for the unknown, but instead be excited! Trust in the Lord, for He knows what we need. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

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Anna Varga is a high school student at Wexford Collegiate. She is a talented singer, dancer, actor, and writer. She is an active member of the Amberlea youth group.