Step by Step

I know for the normal computer literate human being, something as commonplace as installing a program would not be cause for shouting from the rooftop. However, I am not a computer literate human being (let's just leave normal out of the discussion entirely) and I have never ever installed a program independently.

It is a new art program, and very complex. Once I successfully (many pats on the back later) installed it, I realized I had not the foggiest notion of how to begin to use it. I ran into the room of my computer literate daughter. She claimed did not remember how to use this program, though I think she once owned this program. I think she may have been blowing me off.

Nonetheless, I found the "help" chat center, and wrote the folks that developed this indecipherable program a little distress note: "I have installed Corel Painter XC, and have no clue how to use it. I found the tutorial section, but can't figure out how to open the tutorial."

Yes. I know. Sad. It's a miracle I know how to turn on my computer.

They replied instantly, eager to help me, but then I clicked on something...I know not what... and the chat disappeared. So, I went back to the program. I decided sometimes you just have to jump in, try try try, and eventually you might stumble on something that works.

DADA!

The painting above is my stumbling. I have only about 99.9% of the program's capabilities yet to learn, but each little victory was major to me. I had a long way to go, but step-by-step, perhaps I will get there.

That seems to be the way God works. His whole plan is rarely laid out for us. It would be far too overwhelming if we knew all we would have to encounter to reach the finish line. But if we can just move step by step as He leads us, perhaps we will discover that somehow, we are moving in the direction He wants us to go.

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Psalm 32:8 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

John 16:13 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Matthew 7:7-11 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Psalm 119:105 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Isaiah 30:21 

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

James 1:5-6 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.