Though I haven't written in weeks ~ you're still on my heart and I am praying for you! I'm still here! Life has it's twists and turns, but abiding in Christ is the ONLY thing that has allowed me to remain fixed and stable, through it all. God has been ever faithful and has carried me, comforted me, counsel me and provided for me, as He promised, "in ways unimaginable"! I have, continually, found joy, peace and rest in the shadow of His wings! If in any moment, I move outside of that, I am overwhelmed and distraught. He is my song, even in the midst of such difficulties! When the waters rise it only drives me to my knees! I can say I am grateful for each new and overwhelming trial, ONLY because it keeps me in full pursuit of the God I love! Unfortunately, it's our tendency, as human beings, to stray, to get distracted, but hardships keep us seeking and dependent. Difficulties really are our best friends, when we allow them to draw us into His presence, into His Word.
All of this has had a big impact on my sister, Jeanie, she is in awe of God and His care for me and is so excited she's digging in the word and found a church nearby this past Sunday! People aren't watching to see what happens when we have it altogether, but what happens when we don't! Because then they see God's strength, in our weakness. God in me is seen when I have to depend on Him! She's seen my frailties through it all, but has seen God's strength and faithfulness! She's told me several times, "I keep telling my friends how God is taking care of you, I mean, really taking care of you, but they just don't get it! They just answer, 'Unuh, that's nice.' They really don't get it!" She's called daily and has been with me through the ups and the downs. Though, Jeanie's believed in God since she was a child, she has seen that God is alive, an ever present help in trouble and that He provides and cares for His children. Though, she's seen my short comings, Jeanie has seen God, Himself and she is excited and is reading and digging in the Word! My daughter, Jill, and Jim's sister, Jill, have like my sister, for months, called 2 and 3 times a day, checking in on me. Like me, they have been in awe of God's continuous care! God takes care of His children! God takes care of widows! God takes care of the fatherless!
My sister says, "It's like a good soap opera, that I keep calling to see what God has done." She's afraid she's gonna miss out! She is seeing Him in ways she's never seen Him before and so am I, even though I have been walking with Him for 38 years! God is using my difficulties to show her Himself.
I have been taking advantage of the sunny days of spring, as we get them, to go through the garage and throw out and repack, anticipating a move. I am still working to get through all the paperwork and to handle the estate stuff in a way that would be pleasing to God. There are still more medical bills out there. Now, I will start selling things. People have rendered their services in good faith and we have been so blessed by them, I will sell everything, if that's what it takes to pay every last bill! It may sound like a living nightmare and it feels like it at times, but God has been so faithful and so loving to me through this all! I have known great joy and awe, right in the middle of the deep grief and loss! God is faithful and is still enough! He hasn't left my side, not for even a moment! He alone, meets my every need!
Wherever you find yourself today, I encourage you, to keep seeking, to keep pursuing the God that desires to have an intimate relationship with you ~ He will love you with an "everlasting love". There's no need you have, that He can not meet! I encourage you to sit at His feet, to abide in His Word, to dig and to seek Him; allow him to be your resident, truth Teacher.
My favorite part of the day is still well before dawn, when all is still and quiet. I am in awe of His love and long to bask in His presence, in His Word ~ allowing Him to quiet my heart, to counsel, to instruct me in the way I need to go. His truths are a lamp unto our feet when I apply them, they lead me in paths of righteousness when I follow them. His commandments are food for the soul, we must not starve it! I covet your prayers, the path ahead looks rocky and difficult, but my God promises to give me the feet of a deer, to never leave me and to give me all I need for all He asks of me! His promises sustain me and give me all I need!
Joshua 1:8-9 says, "Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Psalm 63:7 says, "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 91:1-2 says, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Psalm 61: 3-4 says, "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings."
Psalm 105:3-4 says, "Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."
Psalm 92:1-2 says, "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten stringed lyre and the melody of the harp."
1 John 2:27 says, " As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing is real, not counterfeit ~ just as he taught you, remain in him."
John 15:1--8 says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardner. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119: 92-94 says, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me I'm, yours; I have sought out your precepts."
Psalm 37:4-7a says, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."
Psalm 37:17b-19 says, "But the Lord upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty."
2 Samuel 22:34 says, "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights."
Psalm 18:28-33 says, "You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer; he enables me to stand on the heights."
The sun is rising over the Tetons and a Meadow Lark sings His praises outside my window! The day ahead looks to be full of difficulties, but God is at my side. I rejoice in God, my Savior, and can sing and shout with a voice of triumph! He is forever Faithful ~ My God is still enough! He will not leave me, nor forsake me! He loves me with an "everlasting love"! I am His and He is mine and His banner over me is love! (Song of Songs 2:4) He will walk with me through it all! May God bless your day and may you be filled with expectant hope, as you find shelter in the shadow of His wings!
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