I remember when I was 16, my parents bought me a Ford Mustang. I had a part-time job and a little money in my savings account; I was living the life. My mother said something that I didn’t like one night and that was the last straw! I had enough of her, so I decided that I was going to run away. As I look back, I marvel at the level of influence I had even at that age; because I managed to convince my older brother and cousin to push my car out of the driveway and down the street so that my parents wouldn’t hear me start it up that night. I got in the car and made my boyfriend go with me. We were headed to New Jersey (at least we thought we were). My plan was to go live with my older cousin. There was one issue: I had only been driving for a short while and I was terrified to drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, especially at night. So, my cousin convinced me to stay at a hotel for the night and then, if I was still determined to leave in the morning, I could try to tackle that bridge during daylight. Early the next morning, my boyfriend called his house and my mother had already begun terrorizing everyone trying to find us. She threatened my boyfriend’s family, saying that she was going to have him arrested. She was relentless in her pursuit to find her baby (ME). I was afraid at this point, because I knew that I would feel her wrath if I went home. Eventually, I gave in and spoke to her on the phone. Immediately, I could hear the fear and hurt in her voice. She cried and pleaded with me to just come home. My cousin got on the phone and yelled at me for being so selfish and spoiled and inconsiderate. I went home and my mother just held me, she hugged me, she kissed me, she cried, she begged me to never scare her like that again.

This story reminds me so much of God and His love for us. He does everything to help us fulfill our purpose and destiny. We do so many things to hurt Him. We do things that we know are wrong. We have the audacity to get upset when He chastises us; we know it’s for our good, but it doesn’t feel good. We don’t like it, so we run. It’s time to Stop Running.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ~Hebrews 12:6

And what about the people in our lives who, according to their ability, genuinely love and care for us? What about when they say or do something we don’t like and we decide we want out? We become distant. We stop talking or texting. We, all of a sudden, become too busy and have no time for them. Thankfully, when we come to our senses and realize how immature and petty we are, they are right there waiting with open arms. It’s time to Stop Running.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. ~Proverbs 27:6

I share this because I know what it’s like to take for granted those who love us, then to look up one day and they are no longer here. Let’s Stop Running! Let’s express our gratitude for every person who is a blessing in our lives, while they are still here.

Remember, If God said it, then That Settles It.