Roseau Times-Region - Serving Roseau County for over 100 Years - The Official Roseau County Newspaper

I read the following and it really hit home. Now I will need to do something about it. It is not the kind of thing that takes a one time declaration. Instead it takes a moment by moment commitment.

May you discern the difference between healthy boundaries and self-serving decisions. God did not give you a spirit of fear, but one of POWER, LOVE, and SOUND MIND. Yes, the days call for wisdom but they also call for love, sacrifice, and faith.

What rogue thought pattern have you followed recently? Put up a "road closed" sign and take a more redemptive path. Has the enemy relentlessly taunted and harassed you? Raise up your shield and declare, "Not today, Satan! And not tomorrow either!" Have you grabbed for yourself when you already have enough? Look around and share your treasures with those in need.

Guard your heart and your thoughts. And then generously share your life with those God has appointed to you. You are one of God's great gifts to the world.

#SusieLarsonBlessings

The sentence above which stood out was "What rogue thought pattern have you followed recently"? I have always been a planner. I also "pack light in life" I keep a close tab on what is happening around me. Being self contained, and self assured, I pick and choose my battles.

Then the totally unexpected happened, I quickly found out that I was not the "rock" I supposed. Actually, at times I become a blob of mashed potatoes. I felt sideswiped and again, extremely vulnerable.

Vulnerability will find a place to land in any season of life and at any age. And if you aren't ready for it, it will slam you. This is the case with me. People handle grief in many different ways. Nothing is predictable. I sometimes think a thought, and then think, "where did that thought come from? Are my defenses down? This thought was totally against my morality, and character." (Rogue thoughts) Feeling attacked, and confused I prayed and asked for wisdom. God started bringing me people who understood, and scripture to confirm the right path I should be on. Then the "Wham Banger" happened. I happened to overhear a true story, I am going to change some of the circumstances to protect those involved.

Going on a outing across the Lake of the Woods. Everyone had their own sled. Driving in the day can seem completely different than driving at night. The night can do things to your mind and your plans. The way to their destination was fast and easy. Going between 60 mph and 80.

After reaching their destination, they ate a good meal, talked and laughed, then looking at their watches started back. The distance between point A and B would take three hours. One of the couples had done the trip before and the husband said that he knew a shortcut. Happily they agreed that he would be their leader. Off the trail he went. The shortcut had been used but not well traveled. Going full throttle the leader, flying along in the dark, hit a 200 ft break in the ice. All he saw when he hit was night's black water. He was lucky he was going the speed he was going, because his sleds skis jet plained across the top of the water and landed on the bank of a small island. His wife who was behind him and pregnant wasn't so lucky. She hit the water and fell in. She had leathers on which probably protected her a bit from the cold but they were sopping wet when she was pulled out of the water by their other companions.

Now, there was the guy on the island. All her husband could think about was getting to his wife. He went around, whereever around was, and built up to high speed. He made the jump across, and landed safely.

Listening to this true story, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Rogue paths, or rogue thoughts, can produce disaster and even death.

I asked myself the question, "have I been realizing how dangerous a rogue thought can be?

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;" Filling legitimate needs in illegitimate ways. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". John 10:10

Blessings, Julie