When Words Mean More

2017. For me, it has come in like a hushed whisper and continued like a gentle breeze. Life has been quiet and peaceful the past few weeks. I've found myself with time to be still...time to take inventory...time to evaluate and think about what really matters. I've prayed a lot. I've spent quality time with my family. I've had time to sit and read without feeling hurried. It has been absolutely wonderful and so very refreshing, but at the same time...

...very unsettling!

Doesn't that sound ridiculous?! How can such a refreshing time be so unsettling?

It can be unsettling when you haven't known true rest for a very, very long time.  It can be unsettling when you start to feel that life with an absence of busyness means God has side-lined you and said, "Thanks for the effort, darlin', but you're done now." Honestly, that's how I was starting to feel until one day I decided to sit with the Lord and ask Him about this season.

"Lord, what are You up to here? My life is so very quiet and uneventful. Have I done something wrong?"

His answer was a passage of scripture I have read hundreds and hundreds of times. The words danced lovingly off the pages of my Bible and settled into my heart like a fresh-fallen snow. I read a love letter from the only One who understands just what turmoil I have faced the last few years. This battered heart has needed some rest and so these words were a soothing, healing balm...

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love with follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

What words of love! Wow...a season of restoration after a long, weary battle. A Shepherd who takes care of me, providing all of my needs. Even more, a Shepherd who sees beyond the physical into the spiritual, knowing that green pastures and quiet waters are what's needed most. It is HE who restores my soul! He makes me lie down. He takes me into quiet places. He gently leads me this way, calming every fear and quieting my heart. Even if I be taken through the "valley of the shadow of death," it's ok, for there I will still know that it is He who walks with me...guiding me, disciplining me, comforting me. Though there be critics and naysayers and those who wound and hurt, He still lovingly prepares a table of good in front of me. He knows my heart. The other "voices" don't matter to Him. He anoints my head. Knowing how undeserving I am, I am humbly aware that my cup overflows. I am overwhelmed that my Shepherd would take notice of me and love me to such depths. My heart rejoices, knowing that this kind of goodness and this amazing love will be with me...pursuing me....all the days of my life. To dwell with Him, in His house forever, will one day be my souls deepest delight!!

Reading Psalm 23 changed everything. I'll never read it the same again. It means more having walked through some of the most difficult days of my life.

I'm finally on the other side and here in this season, my Father says rest...heal...be still...trust.

Instead of questioning, I'll gladly obey.

________________

photo credit: Jayembee69 A view from East Worldham via photopin (license)

Care to Wait With Me?

Just the other day...I was quite comfy-cozy, all nestled in my warm bed. Then, the covers were ripped off!

In other words, I moved (literally) from a place of complete comfort to a place full of unknowns.

Can I just be honest? I really, really don't like this unsettled feeling.

Icky. That's what it is.

Where I was before, I saw and knew why I was needed there. God had made that very plain.

But here? I have no clue. I don't know what I expected...maybe that God would just plop me right in the middle of some grand purpose and I would immediately be like, "Oh, this is why I'm here. I get it now."

It hasn't happened that way.

Instead, God and I are wrestling. I may or may not have shut my closet door and cried it out with Him a few times already.

And sometimes, when I really stop to think about it, I just slap my forehead and say... "Becky, REALLY?!"

As in...am I really going to be like the Israelites, forgetting over and over and over again that no matter what my eyes see, my God is in control?!

He has me right where He wants me. He sees me. He is working it all out in His time and He has a far greater plan than anything I could dream up! I just need to...

Rest. Be still. Wait.

But when you are like me...pacing at the gate, ready to let your God-given passions run like the wind...waiting is the hardest thing to do.

You see, I discovered something about myself during the last season of life...I can no longer be the quiet one in the corner. That place, while safe, became bondage for me. And if you want me to be honest, it's a returning to that place that I fear the most right now.

Status quo. Complacency. Passionless existence.

Mere survival from day to day.

I was made for more than that.

We all were.

And if we're really honest with ourselves, we all know it. It's not like the Holy Spirit lets up or lets us off the hook. He, our Guide, whispers continually to us...causing us to dream big and drink deeply of this thing called PURPOSE.

Psalm 138:8 speaks of it:

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." 

Eph 2:10 speaks of purpose also:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God has chosen, for reasons only He can understand, to work through us, sinful men and women. There are specific reasons why you and I are on this planet, every fiber of our being made with His imprint, created for PURPOSE (Jer 29:11, Gal 1:15).

I'm floundering around a little bit in this journey, not quite sure of mine at the moment, but believing all the same, that the Faithful One will indeed show me in His good time.

And He will show you your purpose as well. I promise.

But neither one of us can hurry Him up. So maybe you and I, we can just encourage each other as we wait together, huh?

I'd like that. A lot.

Linking up at:

Women Living Well
Raising Homemakers

For His glory,

A Time to Relax

Just the other day...I was blessed to get to spend seven wonderful days with my family at our favorite beach. Although the week started a little on the cool side, by mid-week the weather was perfect. It was the kind of vacation that consisted of playing on the beach or in the pool all day, watching movies, and doing little of anything else! Ahhhhh...relaxation! I am so very thankful for the all the sweet moments we had. You'll hear more about them soon, but until then, here are a few pictures of our time together...

"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Linking up at:

Women Living Well

Raising Homemakers

For His glory,  

I'm Human and Weak; He is not!

Just the other day...I sat outside in the play fort with my oldest daughter. It was such a beautiful day, it just begged to be enjoyed! We took all of our homeschooling books outside, climbed to the highest part, and proceeded to get down to business. After studying about grasslands, photosynthesis, perimeter, and such, it was time for a break. Princess #1 climbed down to play, I leaned back against the wooden slates, and

Taking Time to Be Still at Christmas

Just the other day...I decided to take a little blogging break, only I didn't tell you about it. Sorry. I guess I wasn't quite sure that the decision would actually stick! However, as I spent much more time last week just being quiet and reflective, I realized that a break over the holidays is essential.

I am a spoiled-brat when it comes to Christmas being too busy. If I get to Dec 26th and realize that life has been a blur since Dec 1st...I am not a happy camper, folks!

I just SO want to drink in the waiting, the anticipation, and the celebration of my Savior's birth!!!!!! Don't you?

So please excuse me for a bit while I take some time off to just......be still.

I encourage you to do the same. Find rest during this busy time to focus on Christ...the only reason for the season.

I'll "see" you all next year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

For His glory,