Concerned about our authority?

If you are concerned- which so many of us are- I have good news for you- God is in control. He is Sovereign. I am not so much into politics, and I know some are called to be that. However, I find such comfort from the book of Daniel- so I had to share with you- if you are fretting over the things taking place in our nation- rest assured God is not surprised. In fact, he orchestrates what is to take place and places kings or presidents in their position for His purpose.

What a great book to read! I am 1/3 of the way through it and I hate to put it down to even type some things out. However- I want to send out some encouragement in the midst of so much discouragement that surrounds our lives and these times. The amazing miracles God did during Daniel's time period are from the God who is the same then as He is now and as He will continue to be. He is able to do abundantly beyond what we can imagine.

I have struggled much with the flip side of this- why doesn't He do this at times- why do some have to suffer so greatly, or why didn't He seem to come to the rescue...a wise woman said at a retreat I was at recently- this side of heaven don't ask why- ask how or what. How do I respond, What do you want me to do.

Anyway, I am off to work, but I encourage you- if you are fretting- pick up your Bible and begin reading in Daniel. I hope you are as encouraged as I am today! God is good. God is Sovereign. Let us think on that today.

Sunshine...

I woke this morning and was so blessed to open up all the curtains and let the sunshine beam through the windows (though they need to be cleaned) haha.

The warmth on the windows was a pleasant change from the very cold, dark months we are coming out of. Thank you Lord for the change of seasons. It is so good to be reminded that things are temporary here on earth.

It resonates with my own season...

Someone said recently- in grief the Lord closes off our brains so our hearts have time to heal. It comforted me as I have felt so confused and disarrayed for so long now.

A song plays in the background- I have not heard it before but recognize it is from the book of Ruth. Where you go, I will go. Who you serve, I will serve. How you love, is how I will love... it goes on and I again feel an awakening within my own soul. It has been a slow arousing, but it is coming- and I appreciate every small part of the change. I am thankful for the process, though the pain has been great.

I have been studying in an older Bible of mine and as I search the Scriptures I find this today: a date (April 1997) near this verse, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18. I remember the date and season- my first woman's retreat, pregnant with my second child, and my life was a wreck. God has done so much since then. He has restored and healed and blessed so much. Ahhh- just breathing in these rememberances and His faithfulness is good.

I am seeking the Son today. He brings warmth and life and joy and peace and love. I am so thankful He is my breathe and strength. I am so glad He is near as we endure the different seasons in life.

Psalm 67:1 "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us"
As the sun warms our earth and body's today- this is my prayer for us, that His face would shine upon us, His people!
Be blessed friends! Even when life is hard, God is good!

Five Minute Friday: Beloved

My girls just drove off to school and as I stood at the window and watched them drive off my heart was full of love...they are my beloved.

There are so many ups and downs of parenting and through the different seasons we work through different types of exhaustion and different peaks of joy and love. Through every step of it though- our children are our most beloved treasures this side of heaven.

My parenting is coming to an end with my oldest. Yes, I will always be her mom and love her as my daughter, but she is an adult now and moving into this season with all the hope, anticipation, and struggles we all have to go through. I am proud of her. Not to far behind her is my nearly 16 year old- who cannot wait to be spreading her own wings and experiencing life for herself. I am trying to soak up the time I have left with her. Then I will have one more...a few short years of taking in all I can with my girls and I plan to experience them to the fullest.

So thankful the Lord allowed me the honor of having these three amazing girls in my life. They are my beloved children and I am blessed to be their mom.

 

 

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Five Minute Friday: Afraid

This word describes much of my life. Like on "Hinds Feet on High Places" I can relate to Much Afraid. I desire bravery, but seem to fall in this category more often than not.

I am in the process of overcoming and transforming into something more of courage and just believing in who God is and who He has created me to be. It is a slow process, but I see Him at work and I am thankful for the valley walks and the mountain top highs.

I think fear took over when I became a mom- there was so much I felt I stood to lose at that point with my sweet girls in my life that I lost the adventure part of me and replaced it with being afraid.

I now have a child who spends more time making sure things are safe than just enjoying life and we are working on that- the both of us are. I am so thankful we are works in progress and I know that with all that goes on in the world there are things that cause us to be afraid, but we can still walk in the Lord's peace and believe that He will get us through anything we come up against.

That I am sure of! For Much Afraid becomes Grace and Glory!