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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 4/10/2006 9:01:02 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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What would love do?
I’m so sad and so tired.
… dealing with consequences of bad choices from my previous life.
She is feeling put off, abandoned, unsure, unloved…. and for once, I need to not think about how I feel wronged. This is about her.
She is striking out… and I am adult enough to know that whatever is spewing out of her mouth is not the real issue.
She wants so badly to love and trust her father…. my heart cringes as I write that word. He is a father- only in name. For all other purposes, he is an acquaintance who does not hesitate to use her as an ally against me.
What would LOVE do?
Grace… compassion… mercy….
… avoiding the sidetracking temptations of contention, anger and self-centeredness.
“And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14
She went on a bike ride. When she comes home, I will give her a big hug and tell her that I missed her. I will make sure that she knows I love her… and that the words last night were not really about being right and wrong or being winners and losers…
We are a family… and sometimes nothing else matters.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 4/14/2006 9:51:41 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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Life Stopped...
Matthew 20
[29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.
[30] And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"
[31] The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
[32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
[33] They *said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened."
[34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
Jesus had an agenda. He was on his way to fulfill a series of events which would ultimately lead to his death. I can imagine that he was very focused during the last few days- even hours, before the end of his life here on earth.
Jesus was leaving Jericho and on his way to Jerusalem when he met the blind men. Jesus was on a mission- He had things to do, places to go and people to see. He chose to reach out to others in the midst of all of this.
He did more than reach out, He stopped and took time out to listen to the needs of the men. He sincerely cared about them…. He was moved from His inner most being. All life events stopped when He stopped on that dusty roadside to listen.
“What do you want me to do for you?” He asked.
… and He is still asking you that same question today.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 4/17/2006 10:09:04 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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Inside Out
Romans 2
[29] But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Ask yourself these questions:
How often do I find myself looking for praise from men?
How often do I find myself teaching others about Truth, while in secret I am doing the opposite?
How often do I read or study my Bible while hanging onto the evil whispers... and not embracing the Truth?
These questions are brutal... but must be asked.
Walking with Christ is more than an outward appearance. A true God-seeker must be seeking Him with his entire being... from the inside out.
.... because if you are a God-seeker from the outside in- you just might be missing the mark.
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 4/23/2006 6:06:53 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
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Missing Out…
Usually my Sweet will come and get us for church. I love going to church together and now it seems to be a normal part of our lives.
Usually, after church, my Sweet will drop us off and we will part ways- sometimes for the rest of the day, sometimes only for a few hours.
Usually when he pulls into our drive, we girls spill out of his car and good-byes are said. He drives away.
Today was different. Today the girls spilled out of his car… I lingered picking up a pile of books at my feet. I was awkwardly trying to balance them all on top of my Bible while trying not to forget my purse and cell phone.
When I looked up at him, he was holding out His hands… a silent gesture offering to carry some of my load.
It is usually in my character to refuse help and to try to juggle the awkward load all by myself. Today- I handed him the load of books.
He walked me to my front door with his arm snuggly around my waist… this was new. He left me on my doorstep with a kiss to remember for the rest of the day… this was new, too.
Sometimes I wonder what blessings we are missing out on from the Lord. What desires does He have for us? Are we cheating ourselves out of something special because we are unwilling to yield some of our burdens to Him?
Matthew 11
[28] "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
[29] "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
[30] "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
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I am blessed….
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 4/27/2006 9:57:58 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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Thoughts on Love...
Yesterday, a friend told me that I was a good role model of what a loving person looks like… I’m not sure how I feel about this.
Random thoughts led me to think about…
… loving with reckless abandon.
Does my love look like how He loves us?
Always caring…
Always compassionate…
Always available…
Always willing…
Always waiting…
Always knowing and understanding…
Always warm…
Always smiling- sometimes through tears…
Always with us…
Always able to look past the garbage at our feet…
Always wanting the best for us…
.
.
.
.
I’m not really sure that I measure up to His love.
I am sure that I give love the best that I am and all I hope to be…
I am sure that I’ve risked it all- even thoughts of self-preservation in order to break down my walls so that I will be able to receive love.…
I am sure that my love is not and cannot be contained by any human being…
I am sure that my love makes me vulnerable to severe pain and heartache…
I am sure that my love lingers after I’ve gone…
… I will always wonder if my love is enough.
Always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 5/1/2006 8:53:38 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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I THINK…
I live much of my life in my head. I often think to myself that I think too much. I internalize everything- random smiles from strangers on the street, my daughter’s black lab, the way people clap, why he said what he said, what led her to think that….. I think that thinking for me may possibly be a curse…
… and then, why is it that when it comes to the Lord… and reading His word, that my internalization techniques seem to stop?
On Saturday, I found myself doing a strange thing, at a strange time of the day- acting out of complete character for myself. For some reason, I let anxiety take control of me… and the evil one was having a hay day.
Thankfully, I found myself on the phone with a friend… and he was able to talk some sense into me. During the 2 hour conversation, he said this… “I’ve been reading your stuff [devotionals], and it seems that maybe you should pay attention to what you write.”
OUCH!!!
… but yes, he was right.
I need more of Jesus… and I hope that I always will… but its more than just needing more of Him… it’s accepting Him, allowing Him to really LIVE inside of me… it’s remembering to RUN to him when my thoughts start to freak me out and knowing how to keeping my physical feet planted on the ground… it’s allowing His thoughts to permeate my thoughts…
It’s INTERNALIZING Him….
Saturday would have been a good day to dwell on Psalms 94:
[11] The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath.
[14] For the LORD will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
[18] If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
[19] When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.
[22] But the LORD has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge.
I THINK…. Today is a good day to dwell on Psalms 94…
Love Always,
Rachel
Proverbs 3
[3] Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 5/5/2006 8:05:23 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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Valleys & Roots…
When we hit rough patches in life… it seems so easy to get caught up in the “Wretched man that I am!” mentality. (Romans 7:24)
I’ve been walking through the valley these last couple of weeks. It’s not a fun journey… I am dry and thirsty… I am weak and tired…
Why? Why the valleys Lord?
So your roots will grow… He said.
I don’t really have a green thumb… and I usually end up killing my plants after a year or two. One thing I’ve noticed. If I water them constantly, they grow… but their root systems don’t develop very strongly, and they die off more easily.
I can imagine that it is the same for our walk as Christians. I think that it is easy to get caught up in the plentiful watering and forget where we’re coming from. We start looking beautiful on the outside, but soon, we forget to keep working on the issues on the inside. We find that we are not growing in Christ anymore and we are not really as rooted in Christ as we once thought we were.
So, if it must be – it must be.
I’m still walking through that valley, but my outlook is a little different now…
Purge me Lord, help me to grow in You… help me to draw on Your strength because mine is not enough. Thank You, Lord, for loving me more than enough. Thank You for the promises that are waiting for me at the end….
Love always,
Rachel
Psalms 107
[33] He changes rivers into a wilderness And springs of water into a thirsty ground;
[34] A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
[35] He changes a wilderness into a pool of water And a dry land into springs of water;
[36] And there He makes the hungry to dwell, So that they may establish an inhabited city,
[37] And sow fields and plant vineyards, And gather a fruitful harvest.
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 5/15/2006 8:39:55 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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A New Song…
Right now, I am working through a broken engagement…. which seems to me like I’m dragging around a big bucket of slush. The bucket includes sorrow, anger, loss of trust, loss of friendship, grief, broken promises, confusion… the list goes on.
… I am doing my best to live through this, although often it seems that my best is only hurtful to others. I feel as if I am stumbling through and the slush is splashing everywhere.
As painful as this all is, I am deeply encouraged. I know that God is working in him… and God is working in me… we are not the same people we were even a month ago… and I cling to the hope that we are each walking forward in Christ- even if our paths have separated.
For me, now is a time of grief… although grieving is difficult. It’s not like he died and there is finality to the relationship. He is very much alive and well, he still lives only 5 miles away and I know that it would only take a few keystrokes on my laptop to find him on the Internet.
… and to compound the situation, my children are grieving also.
The point of this rambling is to say that I KNOW in my heart and soul and spirit that there will be a new day of joy for the girls and me. I KNOW that this is only a season in our lives… and that we will once again start feeling like ourselves.
God still has the girls and me… I think even closer than ever before. He is taking care of us in ways that I never would have imagined.
I am so thankful for His grace… and we are looking forward to that day when the bucket is dumped out and replaced with a new song in our hearts.…
Love always,
Rachel
~ * ~
Psalms 40
[1] For the choir director. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
[2] He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
[3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.
[4] How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
[5] Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.
[6] Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
[7] Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
[8] I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart."
[9] I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know.
[10] I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
[11] You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
A special thanks to my friend, Mike, for stepping out in faith and sharing this word with me…
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 5/23/2006 8:59:43 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
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He loves....
The air was brisk. The frost lay strong on the blades of grass. The sky was dark. The birds were quiet. The stars sparkled as if it was their first night out. The moon was a deep sliver.
As I walked, I couldn’t help but think “If God loves me sooo much… if He can’t wait to live with me in heaven… what keeps Him from scooping me up from this earth right now?”
…. and in my heart, I knew the answer. He not only loves and cherishes me… but everyone else on this earth, too. I think He is waiting- waiting for more work to be done… because He wants as many people to enjoy heaven as possible.
This is an amazing thing… because God doesn’t force anything on us. He offers Life to us, and waits for us to accept it. It’s our choice.
… and He waits for us with excited anticipation.
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”
~ Jesus
(John 15:9)
Love always, Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 5/31/2006 8:43:13 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
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Moving On...
A very good Crosswalk Internet friend called me on my cell yesterday just to give me these verses... I needed to hear her calm and steady voice… I had just finished crying buckets of tears brought on by an email.
Psalms 71 NASB
[20] You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
[21] May You increase my greatness And turn to comfort me.
I have been pondering these verses ever since...
Why would God deliberately show me troubles and distresses?
… that is the question which plays in my head.
Here it is in The Message:
Psalms 71 MSG
[20] You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I've been to the bottom; Bring me up,
[21] streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me,
Another thought…
…. staring trouble in the face, helps you to recognize true and real life and the goodness it has to offer. It’s a reality check.
Here’s the Contemporary English Version:
Psalms 71 CEV
[20] You made me suffer a lot, but you will bring me back from this deep pit and give me new life.
[21] You will make me truly great and take my sorrow away.
… troubles and trials make us great. They empower us. They make us strong in the Lord. The pain that we experience during these trials will not last forever.
Here’s the New Living Translation:
Psalms 71 NLT
[20] You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
[21] You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.
… “lift me up from the depths of the earth.” This seems to me that God really does allow us to fall to places where we FEEL like we are stuck.
… “you will restore me to life again.” Sometimes we feel as if we are dead or dying….
… “and lift me up.” We are not stuck and we are definitely not dying… God has every minute of our lives under control when we yield our lives to him.
The events of yesterday morning needed to happen… What was written to provoke and hurt me was used to make me stronger.
I am not stuck – I am moving on… and I am stronger.
I am loved… I am beautiful and worthy to be cherished.
Love always,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 6/18/2006 5:43:57 PM
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AlwaysR8chel
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Honor from Pain…
How far would you go to follow Christ? Would you obey God at all costs?
These are very tough questions, indeed.
I have a friend who is totally sold out on Christ. He is a prayer warrior to the 10th degree if not more. It is not uncommon to find out that he was in deep intercessory prayer at 2am. He lost a precious relationship because he is determined to follow Christ- no matter what the cost. Why does he put his life on hold to pray for others? Why does he choose prayer over sleep? What’s in it for him?
I have other friends. They live in Brazil. They dedicate their lives to serving Christ. They, too, make sacrifices… Right now, they are totally uprooting the comfortable lives they have and leaving family in order to move to Australia to attend school to sharpen the skills they currently use. They make a wonderful team as a married couple. He can preach with power in two languages… she leads worship which can bring your heart to the feet of Jesus. Why are they giving up their comforts? Why are they risking financial hardship? What’s in it for them?
Even Jesus experienced pain and loss… What was in it for Him?
Hebrews 5 (The Message)
[7] While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him.
[8] Though he was God's Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.
[9] Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek,
[10] he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.
He learned obedience…. this is not saying that Jesus had no idea what obedience was… but Jesus learned what obedience is like for us…. and this happened through the ultimate sacrifice of his life.
Jesus sacrificed His life for us so that we could live with him in heaven.
So again I ask…
What is in it for us?
…the crown of life and the honor of living with Jesus in heaven… forever.
I will ask my friends if their sacrifices are worth the pain they’ve endured… but I’m sure I already know the answer…
… each one of them will say YES.
James 1:12 (NASB)
[12] Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
There is honor in pain.
How far will you go in order to obey Christ?
Love always,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 7/1/2006 10:17:31 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
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Starting over…
We needed a different model…
This one was older… there were several cosmetic things wrong with it… it was battered… and seemingly- it was getting smaller.
… there were life memories attached to it.
Some were good family memories… chasing hot air balloons across the farmland country side until they landed… many trips to the ‘beach’, which was really a very small lake a few towns over… locally made ice cream dripping on the seats.
There were ugly memories, too. Mostly for us… it was the people who shared the experience of this model with us… all the miles we shared with a father who made it a practice to abandon his children, all the miles we shared while we spent a lot of time with a man who made us feel second best… all the miles chasing happiness that couldn’t be found… and for me… many miles spent with another invisible woman in the car.
It was time for a new car… or an ‘old new car’ as we say in my family.
… it was time for a fresh start in life.
It happened this week. After driving miles to find one… after a test drive, phone calls and paperwork- we finally got another model.
This one is bigger… roomier… it’s the same year as the other one… but better. Everything about the new model screams ‘new’… everything about the new model says “Let’s start over… but smarter.”
My heart felt a painful tug as I drove out of the parking lot leaving that old car there. The empty seats were packed full of memories that no one else would ever know. I was saying goodbye to a past full of mistakes… and shakily embracing a new start.
The sun was magnificent as it set over the horizon… it spoke of peace… of God’s strength… but mostly it spoke of an abundance of undeserving grace that was handed to me at no cost.
The girls and I are starting over… no man… no ugly memories every time we look into the driveway… just us… and the new car.
Love always,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 7/4/2006 2:45:07 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
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My Story…
I met two new people in the last few weeks and we have spent a significant amount of time on the telephone. Inevitably, conversation rolls around to the past.
My past is generously sprinkled over with bad decisions… which resulted in poor living environments… and the end result is a small broken family.
It’s not an inviting story to listen to and there are not enough beautiful words in my vocabulary which can embellish the story into attractiveness.
My story is ugly.
My story is real.
… and because of the generous grace of God, my story is now lived with love, hope and peace.
I praise my Father for this:
Psalms 103 (NASB)
[12] As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
What are transgressions? It sounds like a confusing word. I always thought it meant sins- the not so nice stuff we sometimes do. Today, I learned that transgressions are more than sin. Transgressions are a revolt or rebellion- this sounds continual to me. Well practiced.
… I admire God’s patience. I walked away and ignored him for years. How could his heart not break over me and the poor decisions I’ve made?
… I admire his faithfulness. He always kept the lines of communication open… making sure I would be able to find my way home when I was ready.
I’m sure his heart did break… and yet- he holds nothing of my past against me. Better yet, through forgiveness, he’s forgotten about my past and has blessed me- abundantly.
Isaiah 43 (NASB)
[25] "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
God loves us… more than we will ever know.
Psalms 103 (NASB)
[17] But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,
[18] To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.
Love always,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 7/24/2006 9:52:49 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
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Lost…
Psalms 119:176 NASB
[176] I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.
I recently met a man. I showed him my blog on Crosswalk.com and I explained how I am required to post at least every nine days to keep my blog active. I was feeling a little pride at the amount of time and effort I put into writing for my blog.
Later, we met again and he said, “I’ve noticed that you haven’t posted since July 7th….” I looked away, knowing that it was July 21st- and I was overdue for an entry.
“Yeah, I know… I’m feeling a little lost” I said.
How did I get lost? How long will I choose to remain lost? How do I find my way back Home?
I can’t speak for others… but for me- getting lost starts with taking on pride. Pride seems to creep in when my life seems to be going well. The job is good, the kids are well and my relationships with others are happy and cheery… and then one day I realize that I’m ‘talking myself up’- meaning, I’m talking the talk but not walking the walk. I’m taking credit for the good in my life when I should be acknowledging the true source of goodness. Jesus is still there… but somehow, He got pushed to the background of my life… Sound familiar?
Getting lost is ultimately a choice. It’s a choice not to listen to God’s voice. It’s a choice not to obey what He asks of me. It’s a choice to allow myself to be distracted by life. I will remain lost until I go to Him and tell Him that I’m sorry for not listening and obeying. I will remain lost until I ask for His forgiveness and truly begin to make good and sincere decisions in order to get back on the right track. I will remain lost until I can embrace and accept the abundant grace He freely gives to me.
… and now I’m almost Home. How do I get there from here?
He will find me.
Luke 19:10 NASB
[10] "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Love always,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 8/3/2006 9:29:39 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
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Mingling…
Nehemiah chapter 8 reminds me of… me and the work I absolutely love to do for the Lord.
Imagine this- the town square filled with people- but they are not your normal crowd bustling through and making themselves busy. They are gathered to hear some good news.
The book was opened, the Lord was blessed and the people worshipped God and shouted Amen! Ezra read the Law of Moses in the town square for hours. The people were attentive- hanging on every word that spilled from Ezra’s mouth.
Ezra had helpers that mingled in the crowd… they translated the tough parts for the people so that everyone would be able to understand the law. The helpers went to the people…
This is the part that reminds me of my true love… I love to write. I love to read the word and repeat it so that everyone can understand it. I love to mingle with the people and encourage them through God’s word.…
I delight in God’s word and I am thankful that the Lord uses me to encourage others as they travel through this journey called life.
I’m praising God today… ;o)
Love always,
Rachel
Nehemiah 8 MSG
[12] So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 8/8/2006 10:01:20 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
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Square One
James 1 NASB
[2] Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
[3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
[4] And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I was reflecting yesterday on my break-up earlier this spring. After the break up, I remember being so torn and utterly heart broken. I wanted resolve and a healing between us. I reached a point in my life where I wanted what I wanted… not what God had planned for my life.
I remember standing in the shower one morning with tears falling and wishing the water would just wash me down the drain. The Lord spoke to me there. He specifically and clearly asked me two questions:
Do you love him?
Do you love him enough to start back at square one?
I was startled.
“Yes!” I thought, “I do love him! I will do whatever it takes!”
… and my heart looked forward to a restoration in our relationship.
What I didn’t realize then, was that I was hoping for selfish wants… and God had a different plan. You see, we were a wonderful couple, but we weren’t the best together. God desires the best for each of us.
What was God’s idea of square one? It was letting him go- completely… cutting all ties with him so that we could both move forward in different directions.
Yes, there was a level of restoration with him. Forgiveness on both parts was necessary in order to keep bitterness from creeping into our hearts. Now I see him in my mind’s eye as my brother in Christ- nothing more… nothing less.
We’ve both moved on… he found his soul mate in another and I am in the process of discovering if I have found mine. In each case, we are better matched and blessed with Christ seeking people who encourage us on our walks with Christ… and I’m sure that each relationship is flowing more smoothly.
God knew what he was doing in our lives…
… we just needed to go back to square one.
James 1 NASB
[16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
[17] Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
I am completely trusting in the Lord.
Love always,
Rachel
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RE: ~ The Journey ~ - 8/11/2006 9:49:37 AM
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AlwaysR8chel
Posts: 4340
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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All is Well…
The moon. A quiet reflection of God’s beauty and strength. It hangs in the night sky- a gift for all to see… but it is a gift only for those who choose to let their eyes wander upwards. The gift is in the contemplation of its Maker…
I’ve been thankful for this gift the last few mornings. I watched as the moon waxed into an awesome show of fullness- bringing light into the darkness. This morning it is gently waning and soon, the darkness will have its way again.
As I gaze upon the moon, I am reminded of God’s splendor and of the plans he has for us. I am reminded of his strength and his awesome knack for handling even the smallest of details in our lives. I am reminded of his complete and absolute love for me… and for you.
I have chosen to trust another with my heart… yet, the older I get, the more difficult this becomes. Flashbacks of broken trust tumble through my mind like a fall leaf carried by the wind… tossed to and fro at random.
… and as I pray about this new trust, I find that my trust in others must be rooted in my trust for God and his plan for my life. My reflections tell me that others will make choices that may hurt me, but God is my Rock… the Source of my strength… and all is well.
All is well… through the pain, through the storms and through the abundant promises of joy.
God will not leave me. He will not forsake me... and this is all I need to know. I stand on the promises of God as I choose to give my heart to another…
Love always,
Rachel
1 Chronicles 28 NASB
[20] Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
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