Personally

I’ve been finding blogging a bit more of a challenge.

Perhaps it’s because I have been busier than usual.

Maybe it’s due to some personal circumstances.

More than both of those, I’ve simply lacked the words.

Because life sometimes leaves you speechless.

This year, more so than past years, save one.

In 2011, when the Lord walked me through what I think of as my “Job” experience, I too was speechless.

This year hasn’t been like that one.

But the amount of unexpected change has been pretty nearly the same.

Because I’m someone who finds routine and plans comforting and in a way a security, all the rotation of change has been less than relaxing.

But I know better than to allow stress.

Instead, I’m learning a new way to rest in God’s will.

To take each change as an opportunity to learn and a sign to seek God.

Because I know that God is working through each circumstance and I want to join with Him.

I want to serve Him during and through every step of each day.

Not all change is bad.

This month is “birthday season” for us, where three of our four children have birthdays.

Yesterday, it was Jase’s.

I’m so thankful for the birthday of each of our children.

Blessed beyond measure that they are another year older.

But it’s always held a tinge of loss.

I’ve always understood each year means one step closer to the finish line where I hand them into adulthood and change rolls completely.

As someone who has poured my life into my children for the past 22 years, it’s a sobering reality.

Yes, we have two adult daughters and are blessed by our sons-in-law, whom we love very much.

Yes, I adore being a grandma and I’m so thankful for the way God is working in our adults.

Yes, it is a change which is a blessing and a beautiful opportunity.

No, I don’t always look forward to it.

Because once they cross the finish line our relationship changes forever.

It’s a good change.

But not an easy one for me.

So, personally, I’ve found all the changes a bit overwhelming.

Both the ones I can see coming and those which have been unexpected.

As I walk through these things with the Lord I hope you, my dear reader, will pardon me if I’m without words.

Or maybe if I speak on other topics the Lord is walking me through during it all.

Because I know He’s got my best at hand.

He’s working through each day and in my life in incredible ways.

Because:

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
I John 4:15‭-‬16 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word! Thank You for Your faithfulness! How I love the fact that You never leave me nor forsake me. You walk with me in all things. Your ways are perfect and Your truth is life. Lord, thank You for each of the changes. Thank You for the blessings of birthdays. Thank You for giving us so much to cling to in Your Word. Lord Jesus, thank You for another day. Please help me to live resting in Your presence, walking in Your will, surrendered to You. Please help me to serve You as I complete the tasks at hand. Thank You for all You have done and are doing. Most of all, thank You for salvation. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

We are never alone

Genesis 16:13 NKJV — Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”

I love this.

Hagar was fleeing, in the wilderness, alone, or she thought she was.

Genesis 16:7 NKJV — Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.

He spoke to her of the future and sent her back to her Mistress.

God provided for Hagar her entire life.

And He does the same for us.

Psalm 23:4 NKJV — Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

No matter where we are, He is there.

Psalm 73:23 NKJV — Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.

No matter what we are experiencing, He knows.

Psalm 139:18 NKJV — If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

Even when we are unaware of Him, He is still with us.

And the best part of it all, is He’s waiting.

He’s ready to be invited into our every day.

He’s available to comfort, teach, exhort, and love us.

He’s offering each of us freedom from sin, death, and evil.

All we have to do is surrender ourselves to Him.

And He promised never to leave us for forsake us.

Matthew 28:20 NKJV — “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. Lord, please continue to enlarge my understanding of how present You are in my every moment. Lord, nothing escapes Your notice. No matter what today holds, thank You for being with me. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

I included more verses here at the end. I hope it encourages you. God bless.

Genesis 31:3 NKJV — Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”

Genesis 26:24 NKJV — And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.”

Joshua 1:9 NKJV — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Samuel 7:9 NKJV — “And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth.

1 Chronicles 22:18 NKJV — “Is not the LORD your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and before His people.