A story about a stump.  And how appropriate it’s been this week!  Our Thursday morning Men of the Word study started a new book yesterday, a biography of missionary Nate Saint.  The book opens with a story of the struggle to overcome a large stump that hindered the clearing of a key landing strip in the Ecuadorian jungle.  Without going into a lot of details, for many reasons it simply was critical to remove the stump and remove it in a short time frame.  The account shares how it took exhausting work, help from others, some strategy (sawing it in half first), and much prayer and confidence in God to remove that stubborn problem of the stump.  Our discussion led us to talk about some other “stumps” that the missionaries faced in the chapter and how they looked to the Lord for help and a solution for those obstacles.  As we talked, it became clear that stumps are not confined to a primitive landing strip in a South American jungle.  We all from time to time face seemingly immovable obstacles that can discourage, frustrate, and even infuriate.  I’ve had my share recently, and maybe you have as well.  So what do we do?  Give up?  Sit and complain?  Close our eyes and wish it would go away?  Can’t do that.  We have to do just what the missionary did: keep working, lean on others for help, and, most importantly, look to our Lord for grace, peace, strength, and wisdom.  Remember Proverbs 3:6?  “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”  That word “direct” literally means “to straighten” and has the idea of removing obstacles to clear a path.  Or, in line with today’s thought, to clear the stumps.  So, are you stymied by a stump today?  Look to your Heavenly Father, and He will give you the wisdom you need to deal with that stump!