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Reflect...

12/31/2019

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Isaiah 43:16, 18-9
This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

I remember twenty years ago, in the months and days leading up to the turn of the century, how anxious the human race was about Y2K. The anticipation of what might occur with computers and our very existence was almost more than we could bear. People emptied the shelves at grocery stores to stock up on food should the unthinkable happen.

It makes me giggle at the drama.

At the same time, I take a look back at this last year and shake my head at the similar feelings of my heart. I experienced fear and anxiety at levels I hadn’t previously known, and at times, the unknown weighed me down so heavily, I didn’t know if I was going to make it through.

I’m extremely grateful this morning, this last day of 2019, that in every situation, every circumstance, every question, worry, and trial, there was a but. I’m surrounded by people who love me enough to refrain from going down the road of what if with me; who lovingly call me out when my fear is bigger than my faith; who stand by me; encourage me; and most of all bombard Heaven in my behalf. They just keep showing up and mere words fail to express how deeply grateful I am.

God showed up and answered my questions, my frustrations, and my lack of faith every day this year. More than anything or anyone else, He was consistent. He remained in me when I didn’t remain in Him. He pursued me when I didn’t pursue Him. He was for me when I wasn’t for Him. And because of His faithfulness, He replaced a long-time debilitating fear I had with a very simple answer. And when He did that, SO MANY other worries vanished. Vanished!

If I didn’t learn anything else this year, one thing I understand more clearly is that I don’t have to worry about His side of our relationship. He does His part regardless of whether I do mine.

As a fragile and an often unfaithful believer, I want to encourage you that He sees you. He knows you. He is for you and not against you.

He loves you.
He’s always loved you.
He will always love you.
He has never not loved you.

May we all have 2020 vision this next year and see Him doing a new thing!
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3 stockings...

12/8/2019

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I don’t have a lot of words this morning to adequately express how grateful I am. For me to even utter that last phrase is a miracle.

I’ve been in a terrible funk and I didn’t know, at one point, if I was ever going to come out of it. Overwhelmed barely scratches the surface of how I’ve been lately and it has threatened every aspect of my life. So to sit here this morning and feel that same feeling for the complete opposite reason is indescribable.

At one time in my life, I longed so desperately to hang more than two stockings on the fireplace. I longed to experience the hustle and bustle of playing Santa and finding things to buy a little one. To fill a home with the excitement of the Christmas Spirit. To disciple offspring in the ways of Jesus. For so long, I ached for the difficulties and joys of raising a child.

This morning as I sat in my comfy quiet time chair, I approached our time with a quick prayer of thanks for new mercies and for more blessings than I know what to do with. I lifted my eyes and the first thing I saw across from me was three stockings hanging from my fireplace.

I wept at the joy.
​
This is evidence of a myriad of miracles that I cannot even begin to explain.

His Word is truth. His Word is life.

My prayer for anyone reading this is that you would experience Him in such a profound and personal way, and so awed by His miraculous work!

Psalm 34:4-5
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Picture
Joy to the World
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