This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In
repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your
strength" Isaiah 30:15
I have heard this scripture many times through the years and it has always spoken to my spirit. Repent and rest in God's forgiveness, be quiet and trust. Like so many other people, this is something I struggle with. My life is so full of noise, so busy, so distracting. It often times seems impossible to find that quiet place I need so desperately to reconnect with my Father and renew my spirit. But nothing good comes without sacrifice. So I need to work at it, to sacrifice to find that time alone with God.
I found this little gem of a poem during some of my quiet time this week. A Quiet Heart is a lovely piece I found at CHRISTian Poetry By Deborah Ann. Deborah writes beautifully simple prose that resonate in my heart (which says a lot since I am not a huge fan of poetry). Go check her out, you won't be disappointed.
That leads me to my next gem I found. This one is over at Titus 2 Tea and is titled "Awake In Prison". As always, Karen's words inspire me. Here is just a taste: "The Bible is true. God is real. Jesus is alive. He is awake. Every day
He is walking with me on my journey over uncharted paths. And I would
choose to sleep through such an adventure?" Yeah, why would I? :)
Yesterday I spent some time out in the yard with my flowers (no, I haven't killed them yet) and the hubby and I re-potted several seedlings (his project). I took a ton of pictures. Wanna take a look?
This one is coming back from last year, I have no idea what it is!
I just point and shoot. Sometimes the results are pretty good.
A new Gerber Daisy is coming up
Hubby's Holli-hocks
He has a gentle hand with these babies
All lined up
Can't wait to see how he grows up :)
pretty pretty!
so lovely!
Well, that's it for today. I hope your weekend was as relaxing and beautiful as mine was and that you have a week full of blessings. :)
Oh, it feels like it's been forever since I wrote anything here. I did post yesterday, but I wouldn't say it was "writing". Just a quick post to let you know I was still breathing. Writing has been hard this week. I have all these thoughts, but when I sit at the keyboard the words seem to get stuck. Does that happen to you?
Anyway! Enough about my little case of writers block! How about I share with you some of the greatness I have found online??
There are Christmas Miracles happening over at Single Dad Laughing. The story starts with a dog bite and ends with a $10,000 gift from the blogosphere to help a family in need. It's pretty amazing. And for those who read the first post and get upset about the dog, please read here for more info on that. And try not to miss the miracle that whole incident brought about. God really does use ALL things for good!
Just before the events in Newtown, CT I read an amazing blog post over at Titus 2 Tea. I meant to share it last week, but didn't. This morning I went back and reread it and realized again how powerful and timely the message is. Especially in the wake of the senseless violence in Newtown and elsewhere in the world. It is titled The God of Stillness and is so beautiful. I encourage you to go read it in full, but I will share my favorite passage with you:
"My anger has nowhere to go. I open my heart, my hands, so Father can
lift it away. Tears flow from frustrated eyes because He is the God who
is able, but the God who sometimes says no. And my heart pounds grief.
Be still, He whispers. He means it.
I try. Swallow hard. But I speak out of disappointment. Confusion. Rebellion.
Great is My faithfulness, He reminds. I am the God who sees. My ways are
not your ways. I am loving toward all that I have made. Trust Me.
My soul stills. I can not force my heart to understand His. I cannot
will myself strong and wise. He alone is God. He alone is good. He alone
is faithful.
Grace washes over me. Always more grace to soothe the wounds, heal the
confusion, soften the harshness. Gratitude replaces discontentment. I
watch quietly, awestruck with wonder, as a wellspring of joy splashes up
where anger left me dry and thirsty."
Please, go read the whole thing. It's beautiful. God works through Karen, and she is a blessing to me.
I have to wrap this up, because I really have to go get dressed and head to church for Praise and Worship Team practice. Can I share with you one of the songs we will be singing today? It is "Christmas Offering" by Paul Baloche. I've been listening to it on You Tube while I was writing this, it's lovely.
And lastly, let me leave you with this beautiful image to remind us all of the reason for the season:
Have a beautiful, blessed day, and thank you for stopping by!
If you read yesterday's post you may remember that I mentioned a blog or 2 that I wanted to share with you, but I was waiting to hear back from the authors (because I waited until the last minute to ask). Well, I heard from Karen who writes Titus 2 Tea and she very kindly gave me her blessing to share her work with you. :-)
When I read this post it resonated deep in my spirit. Part of that is due to the fact that the child in the story is deaf and speaks by signing. I have always been fascinated with sign language. I have always wanted to learn, but never seem to have the time or the cash to pay for the classes. One day though. It's on my bucket list.
Anyway, the sign language might have been the hook, but the true meat of her words goes so much deeper. I really want you to click the link above and read the whole thing, but I am going to share the final lines with you:
"God sees my helplessness and frustration, my disappointment. He says no
from a heart of love, eyes full of compassion. It's not that He doesn't
listen, not that He doesn't care. He understands there is a greater
good, a greater blessing, a protecting action. His love determines His
answer."
Wow. His love determines His answer. His love, which is all encompassing,all seeing, all knowing, complete in ways our hearts cannot even comprehend. That is just beautiful.
I have nothing else to say. No more words that can better describe how this touches me, moves me, and gives me peace. So I will just say good night and God bless. I'll see you tomorrow. :-)
