I Can Promise You This

 

The Lord sent us a beautiful snow yesterday. Just a touch....but lovely nonetheless.

I so appreciate the special gifts God allows through our days on earth.

As the scripture says...." I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord." Psalm 27: 13-14

I know things look bumpy right now.

Life takes twists and turns that are unnerving to even the most seasoned believers.

 But those who are battle hardened and know how God works, quickly stand up and remind themselves of what they know to be true. And they speak these truths out loud so others gain strength.

They know what they know.

They know because they have experienced God's goodness in the land of the living through their own tough battles. 

Do I know how life will turn out?

No.

I know how to walk in strength and endure when I don't have answers. I know how to find peace when I can't have my desires. I know how to take "No" as an answer from God and receive it with willing hands..... trembling but willing.

I can do this now because He has shown Himself adequate for all I will endure after I take the cup from His Hand.

I didn't always know these things.

I was assigned some battles. Things I knew would just kill me. I did not want them. I was sure I would die before they were over.

I didn't die. My flesh died in many ways. I learned to let go of many things I was sure I couldn't live without. I learned to go forward without what I wanted life to be like.

Sometimes I really and truly don't want to take the cup or pick up the assigned cross and follow Him.

Just as Jesus had to receive His cup of suffering and drink it fully, we have to receive our cup and bravely, trustingly drink.

Like you, I've had many cups of suffering.

I'm just telling my story today..... sharing what I learned. Just like Joni shared in my last blog. 

It's what we do as believers.

We tell others about what Jesus did for us.

I can't tell you how God's plans will unfold.

I can promise you some things that I know will happen as they do unfold.

Some will trust no matter what and they will grow in peace and strength. They will determine to follow Jesus no matter how painful things become.

Some will become angry or bitter. Their hearts will rebel and perhaps even take life into their own hands and do what they desire apart from the Lords lead.

God will be faithful to those who follow Him. He will give peace beyond understanding. He will guard their hearts and minds.

Jesus will be an intimate helper in the valley. He will answer the calls of His child. He will comfort and refresh them when they grow weary.

He will give us strength and victory in life.

He will give us strength and victory in death.

The Holy Spirit will cause us to stand to the end in victory. He will use us to bring light and hope to the hurting.

I know these things.  

I've lived them.

God's will is being accomplished.

 He will do as He knows is best.

 He will bring judgement and show mercy at His Almighty discretion.

He alone does all things well and He is in total and complete control of the world and of our personal lives.

These are the things I can promise you.

How the exact details work out, only God knows.

I can tell you one thing for sure....if we don't keep our eyes on Him, were not going to have peace.

If we look at the crazy crashing waves around us we pretty much add a lot of unnecessary grief to our hearts and minds.

Listen....things are going to be whatever God has planned and staring mouth wide open isn't going to bring peace to our hearts.

Just to lighten things up a bit....I leave you with a popular popcorn meme...

Isn't this how many are today? Munching and staring at it all?

I just had to chuckle at the wide eyed popcorn eater......so cute....but so true.

So....that being said....I'm going to be gone from my blog, the news and the internet for a while. 

My dear one has reminded me not to get focused on 'out there'. 

He reminds me that he has done all he can to care for his family and all our needs. He wants me to be quiet now and content in the cottage as life moves along under God's control

It's time to be quiet now for a season and simply trust. Kind of like Noah in the ark. Not looking out at the storm but quietly inside as the storm blows through and God accomplishes His work.

That makes sense.

I'm here, after all, to be the homemaker of this little cottage, and if I'm not careful I may be as the little deer with the popcorn......staring and mindlessly focused on something other than the beauty and blessings in my life at this time.

That would be a loss.

I'm leaving you with a wonderful lady named Mary Jane Ponten.  Her heart and testimony in the midst of a life she might not have chosen was such a testimony to me. 

Enjoy and be blessed.....I apologize that I can not find this YouTube in English. Perhaps if you look it up on Joni and friends you can find it