Worn and tattered…

I love this old sweatshirt. I know. It’s a blah gray. The cuffs are frayed. There are holes here and there. Worn pretty thin in the elbows as well. And the zipper gets stuck. But it is comfortable. And comforting. It’s been through a lot. I won’t give it up for anything. Yes, I have nicer clothes. Brand new. Brightly colored. But there’s just something about this ol’ sweatshirt. It still serves to hold back the chill. The pockets still hold my cupped hands or a tissue. My keys. It might look way past its prime. But don’t let looks fool you… Yep. I love this ol’ sweatshirt. It meets my needs just fine. I’m happy wearing it. And I wear it often.

Maybe you feel worn and worn-out sometimes. Past your prime. You look at yourself and think you should look better, be better, do more. But that is not what God sees. He most certainly loves you just where you are today. You mean a lot to Him even if you feel a little (or a lot) scruffy. You still have ways to be used by Him. I want you to know you meet His needs just fine. And that He is happy with you just as you are. He knows you’ve been through a lot. And starting to look like it. Still, He will not give you up for anything. God is comfortable just being with you and happy to be with you. Just like my well-worn sweatshirt. Now I’m old and gray too. There are times when I get stuck. Yet I know God loves me. Loves me still. It is the same for you.

They will still bear fruit in old age… (Psalm 92:14)

Even to your old age and gray hairs I AM He, I AM He Who will sustain you. (Isaiah 46:4)

He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:23)

Feeling a little worn thin? Frayed around the edges? It’s okay. God loves you. Forever and a day. Even in this wearied state.

Take a second, closer look at your most favorite shirt. Or comfy blanket. Maybe it’s that mug with all the chips. Hold it close to your face. And realize God holds you the same way.

God bless.

That sweet spot

Don’t you so enjoy just sitting with someone - with no agenda. Loving the sensation of rocking that grand baby, petting that lap dog (or cat), or sitting companionably with spouse or friend. You relish those moments. Please… let it last a little longer… that sweet spot between needing and remembering.

There is a middle ground between the crying, pleading, praying - and the “thank God it’s over”. A place called faith. A place of rest and assurance. That sweet spot where you know, you know, your loving God is up to something good. There is a presence, a real presence sensation.

Don’t be in such a rush to get things over and done.

There is a middle ground, a sweet spot, where faith reigns. Where you know that somehow, things are going to be okay. Deep in your heart you know it. Take hold of this special God-is-here moment.

It’s a great place of rest and release. A cleansing sigh and you are there. We all long for it. And it is available. You can go there anytime. It can happen anytime you are tired of unending prayers of asking, seeking, knocking…

Trusting. Resting. Believing. Knowing.

Are you ready to release it all? And just know the sensation of His presence? I think God enjoys that space in the relationship as well. Not needing and not yet finished and moving on. 

Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. - Hebrews 11:1 GW

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. TLB

Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. VOICE

Can you take yourself there? Just together with God in the trusting knowledge of His good and gracious character… no agenda but the sweet surrender to the Almighty.

Find a rocking chair. Or that corner on the couch. Find that sweet spot the Lord longs to provide. And may God bless.

Not enough?

Just take a look at this angel. She is an earlier work of mine. She has made many crack a little smile. She has brought light into people’s day. A simple card design. And yet, how is that even possible?

She has no eyes to see. No mouth to speak. She is without hands and feet! How can she lift someone’s spirit when she is so… incomplete?

Still, she has managed to serve the Lord.

Are you thinking you don’t have all that it takes to be useful to God? Remember this angel…

Remember how she began - as a plain, blank piece of paper. Nothing. And just look at her now - bringing cheer to all who see her. Bringing a smile to your face even now…

God can use you, as incomplete and as insufficient as you think you may be. Any small gesture of kindness is all it takes. You don’t have to have your act all together, you don’t have to have all your ducks in a row first, before the Lord can use you. 

Be like this scrappy little angel. You can be assured the Lord can make an impact using you - just as you are.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7

Here’s the link to preview and purchase notecards with designs like this one!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/card-shop-2023.html

Getting my needs met

I provide. That’s Who I am. That’s what I do. When the time is right I, the Lord, make things happen (Is. 60:22). I give food at the proper time. I open My hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Ps. 145:18). I give the right words to say when the time comes (Is. 51:16). I am in the present moment to meet your needs. I am in the future with provisions in My hand as well. I am all about meeting your every need in every moment. That is Who I am. I am here. It is safe to let your guard down and rest in My sufficency. I am all in all. I am everything you need for completeness. I am your full portion. Yes... I am. Rest. I am truly and fully here for you. I am able to meet your every need and I fully intend to do so. Nothing can keep Me or stop Me from taking good care of you. It’s Who I am. It’s what I do. I am faithful. I can be trusted. You can rest now. I am here. 

Road trip!

 I love packing up and hitting the road. Whether it’s adventuring to someplace new or visiting a familiar setting, the excitement and anticipation is the same. I imagine just what it’s going to be like once I get there. I can hardly wait! I want to BE there! The planning, the packing, checking the weather and road conditions… researching things to see and do once I get there. All my energy is focused on the final destination. Such great expectations!

Waiting and wanting - are not necessarily useless and empty periods of time. There is beauty to be held in the journey. My husband and I have shared good conversations while on the road. The joy of seeing different landscapes. And who doesn’t love eating out? Or checking out the various road signs pointing to local sights along the way as you are passing through this town and that one.The journey itself can be enjoyable if you let it. Oh, I’ve seen many a car speeding around us, cutting in, trying to get through a construction zone as quickly as possible. When we all know how unsafe that is but also it’s still going to be bumper to bumper traffic for awhile. They are just increasing their stress level. We all know the traffic will smooth out eventually. All that rushing and you miss the sight of a family of deer along the side of the road watching the traffic. You miss the light hitting the changing leaves in the fall. The bright morning sunshine making the snow glisten like diamonds. The rainbow in the sky. Dawn peeking through the trees… There is so much to see and experience in every moment. Don’t miss a single gift of pleasure by rushing to a preconceived future. Not when there is goodness from God already present.

In the same way, there are chapters in your life that feel like a long drive. And all you want is for it to be over. You can imagine in your mind how it will be and that’s where you want to be - right now. Surely God will be there to bless and to keep you upon arrival. But God is also on the road with you. And like traveling, you keep moving forward.  Sometimes you’re moving along at the good clip. Other times you are barely rolling forward. But God is there. And He keeps things moving forward. You will get to your destination. And His destination for you is good! He can make the slow passage to it not a heavy, aching burden. But bless with beauty and goodness. He wants you to live in the present with Him. Knowing He has the destination in mind. Knowing He will get you there.

My mom was always telling me to not wish my life away and I think this is what she meant. Love yourself and your life right now. If something is a challenge, it won’t be a challenge forever. And in the meantime, God will use it to open your eyes to other blessings. Blessings you would not see or acknowledge because of your sole focus on some future dream life.

Life is a road trip. There’s open road, winding curves and sharp turns. Detours and construction. Stops and starts. Whatever your personal challenge(s) right now -it will all come and go. This too shall pass. Right? But the presence of the Lord, the goodness of the Lord - is in your life, every chapter, forever.

So do not be afraid. Do not be anxious about anything. Your life will surely ebb and flow, ebb and flow. I’m sure Noah wondered. I’m sure Job wondered. Pick any biblical character… I bet they wondered, just like you… how long O Lord. How long? 

The words, “now it came to pass” is found in the King James Bible 198 times. That should be plenty of assurance that whatever you are going through - you will get through.

You may not enjoy every stretch of life’s road, but you can be assured the Lord will see you through. There will be strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow - for those who put their trust in Him. May you be at rest and peace in this assurance. With God, you can still have great expectations!