Stay steadfast my soul.
For years and years Steve and I have wanted a big outdoor cedar patio with a fireplace. He loves his fires! 🔥 We love to have people over and wanted to build a place to gather.
Finally last year, we built one. We loved it and spent lots of time out on it—- I actually would stare at it everyday as I left home because it was so pretty!
And, then it caught fire one night and burned down. Yes. Burned. Down.
We were all ok, thankfully. And, to really put things in perspective that was the exact night that the Napa Valley fires obliterated people’s homes and livelihoods.
That was October. And, much of Fall was a tough time for me. Fear had settled into me and I let it stay. Many "things" in my life seemed to be at risk- or so I kept saying to myself. And, let's face it- if something you love burns down- it can cause some introspection. Were we focused on the wrong things? Was there more destruction coming?
So, I began praying and seeking and desiring a different mindset. A way out of the pit I had thrown myself in. And, the answer I got wasn't one that I wanted to hear.
This is what I heard the Lord say.
I’m in a wilderness season.
What is she talking about, you are probably saying to yourself? I can’t even count the number of times in the last few months that someone has sent me a message or something I’ve read in a book I picked up, or a daily devotional about a dry and weary land, a scripture that has jumped out at me. Such things like— Desert photos, dreams of standing in a burnt valley, praying friends who knew you were in “transition”- but didn't tell you that is what they were praying, streams in the wasteland, randomly picked up Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown. And more.... are you getting the picture?!
It leaves me to beg the question-
What do I do with this information, Lord? How longggg is this wilderness and what does it mean?? Please say NOT 40 years (like the Israelites)🤣😱
And, yet the more I pray and seek and read, the more He confirms it. And, oddly the more I am okay with it. Which really means He has given me a peace about it.
Thankfully!
The discomfort is so strong sometimes. It's easy to focus on the things of the world in this discomfort. I can feel the things of this earth slipping away- and I want to grab them back! But, I know -and desire - to stay focused on the things of eternity. I’m stuck in a space - and I don’t yet know the outcome. But, I know it is good. Because HE is good. And, I keep having to choose the path I want to take.
Dark or Light.
Recently, I heard an incredible story from a beautiful soul that has experienced tragic loss. It was a tough morning for me and I left feeling raw, but hopeful. She reminded me that you have to actively seek Him. You have to CHOOSE. If you find yourself at a fork in the road- one dark, one light—— then we have to choose to grab his hand and hold on, cling to, follow him down
the
bright
beautiful
glorious
path.
And, let’s face it- we’ve all been down difficult roads before. We have learned the glory comes from the travel. From the journey itself. No matter how rocky, no matter how long. You just keep going.
Because.
Your faith is the only thing that cannot be taken from you. It is hard fought- tested, but it is YOURS—- it is learned and earned.
It is the one thing the enemy wants the most. He will use every shame tactic he can to try and take it.
But, we can reach down deep and remember- every sorrow, every mindset, every transition, every season, every journey, every victory-- and cling to the restoration and redemption of our Sovereign Lord! He is faithful every time. He has been faithful in my life and I know He has been faithful in yours.
And, guess what—
This week - in our backyard - we have a new patio! Almost ready to be enjoyed. It has been restored, rebuilt much stronger with a story to tell. The structure is temporal for sure, but my hope is the gatherings there will be eternal.
So, let me encourage you today- no matter your struggle, your dark road, your breaking point right now, your seemingly long and dry wilderness season there is a restoration coming.
Nothing is wasted in Him.
-------------------------------------------
Hebrews 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, do not be afraid. John 14:27
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord ʼs favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV
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