Resting Place

At our Care Group on Tuesday night, one of the ladies led us in worship. She read Isaiah 66:1,2:

"This is what the LORD says:

'Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares the LORD. 'This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.' "

I've heard & read these verses before, they are underlined in my Bible. But I don't think I've really understood these verses before Tuesday night. Before, I always had a picture of God sitting on His throne in heaven with His feet resting on the earth - pretty straight forward, but never gave much thought to the rest of the words. Because of my friend sharing her insight, I now have a different perspective.

I now see the focus being more on: "Where will my resting place be?" The resting place that God is seeking is in our hearts. He is looking for a place to rest, to hang out. It was like the light bulb went on! The resting place is in our HEARTS! Not some place in outerspace but in my heart! Suddenly these verses became personal! So then I asked myself: "What kind of a resting place do I have for Jesus? What is the condition of my heart?" He wants to dwell in someone who is humble and is contrite in spirit and trembles at His word. (Contrite: caused by or showing sincere remorse; filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent.)

God wants to dwell, live, hang out in our humble & repentant hearts. He wants us to tremble, to be in awe at His word. How many times in a day do I mess up, get mad at the kids, not have a loving attitude toward Jeremy? How many times in a day am I selfish with my sleep time, quiet time, wanting my space, what I want to do...)? How many times does my work or the computer (e-mailing, Facebook, even blogging) take priority over God or my family? What a disgusting resting place I've created for the One who is more important to me than anything! It doesn't sound very restful to me! "Maybe that's why my soul hasn't been at rest lately," she states rhetorically! I know when it's time to clear the clutter of my heart because my heart is unsettled, my soul is not at rest.

God asks us: "Where will my resting place be?" My answer, taking it one moment at a time is: "Here, O Lord, I have prepared a resting place for You. I will wait for You alone."

Resting Place
Heaven is my throne
And earth is my footstool
Where is the house you will build for me?
Whom of you will hear the cry of my heart
Where will my resting place be?

Here oh Lord
Have I prepared for you a home
Long have I desired for you to dwell
Here oh Lord
Have I prepared a resting place
Here oh Lord I wait for you alone
Copyright © 1991 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

Polishing

I was just catching up on some blogs and was touched by Nancy's words over at The Olive Leaf Ministries. She was talking about struggles that we all face and how we handle them. Here is a snipit of what she wrote:

"Trials will indeed come but each challenge serves to polish us into the image of Christ."

Somehow, that touched my heart, right where I needed it to. I've been struggling to feel much of anything this past week or so since Daniel's seizure & Becca's tumble. I know neither of them are overly huge ordeals, but they still put my heart at unrest.

The things Nancy wrote are nothing new, but God in His great wisdom knew I needed those words. Thank you, Lord, for once again touching my heart in just the right way.

To read Nancy's full post, click here.

Treasure

It's been quite some time since I've shared my thoughts about what I'm learning from God, but today I feel compelled to share.

I've been processing some things lately (and still am to be honest), but I think I've been getting somewhere with the processing. Yesterday's sermon certainly helped. Our pastor is working through Matthew right now and spoke on Matthew 6:19-21 yesterday.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where our treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:19-21.

These verses really struck a chord in my heart. There are some areas in my life where I realized I am not focussing on the eternal treasure like I should. Thankfully, God is patient and gracious. I know that as I wrestle through these areas and allow God to refocus my attention towards Him that He will not let me down. I am confident that God, who has begun a good work in me, will continue to work in me until the day of completion, the day of Jesus' return (Philippians 1:6).

Something to Ponder

I just saw this on another blog (Boy, O Boy, O Boy (and Girl)) and thought I'd post it here as well. Very thought provoking! Let me know what you think.

Saying Good-Bye

I've never really had a difficult time saying good-bye. When close high school friends moved away I told them "See you later" rather than "good-bye".

When I left my "family" in France after being a nanny for one year, I gave hugs and said good-bye. I'm sure there was a tear or two that I wiped away, but no full out crying. I was too excited to be returning home.

When I leave my kids or husband for the evening or weekend, I give a hug & run! Yay! Freedom! I know that I love them with all my heart and if anything ever happened to them that was permanent, I would be devastated. I guess I know that (most likely - God willing) I will be seeing them again soon.

Today I am saying good-bye to a precious little boy who has really touched my heart and I've already had one cry about it! Why?! Is it because he's just so darn cute & hasn't reached the "terrible two's" yet? Is it because he has been living with his Grandma & uncles this past 13+ months because his Mom & Dad haven't been able to care for him? Is it because I know he's being returned to his Mom's today and the living standards in his new home are going to be very different than mine or his Grandma's? Is it because I see the sense of loss in his Grandma's eyes as she knows she must surrender him back to his Mom? Is it because I know my kids will miss him & his silly antics?

After my little cry this morning, I put the kids' music on; how fitting! They are listening to the "Music Machine" CD these days. The songs on the fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-control - were very fitting. Once again, God used just the right thing to calm my spirit.

Walking by Faith & "What-Ever"

Well, Mel from Mel's World has done it again! Her words have really spoken to me. First off, each week she participates in "Then Sings My Soul Saturdays". This week's touched my heart. It is a song that God used earlier this summer after He called us to leave our church family of 12 years. Go here to read Mel's post and why this song is special to her.

Jeremy Camp - Walk By Faith



And while you're at it, check out her "Speak to My Soul Sunday" post for this week. It is very insightful and a great way to refocus our thoughts.

I Will Walk By Faith

This morning we joined the thousands of other Christians in North America and went to church. This is still new for us to attend church on Sunday morning. The church we've been attending for the past 12 years has met Saturday nights for about nine years now, so getting up early Sunday mornings is still new for us!

I've been struggling this past week with being able to let go of our church family. I am confident in the fact that God has called our family on a different path than them. I don't question that at all, but despite that confidence it hasn't made it any easier for me to emotionally let go and open up to a new group of people, a new family.

This morning we attended the same church as last weekend. In some ways it was nice to have that familiarity rather than attending a different church every Sunday. As I sat down, waiting for the service to begin, my heart was still not ready to "make the switch". Yesterday as I was doing my bible reading, I prayed that God would speak to me in some way. Nothing of significance jumped out at me. This morning, one of the songs during the worship time spoke to my heart. It was a song by Jeremy Camp called "Walk by Faith", from the album "Stay". These are the words that spoke to my heart (for the full lyrics, click here):

Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way?
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day?

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

How perfect are those words?! "Will I believe You when You say, Your hand will guide my every way?" At that moment, I realized that even though I trusted God to take our family on another path, I wasn't FULLY trusting Him. I kept thinking, "maybe things will change, maybe things will go back to how they used to be...". Remember, I am the person who does not like change! Reading those lyrics on the screen this morning made me stop and write them in my journal.

After the service as we were visiting with people, one of the men commented to Jeremy and I that although they are more than happy to have us visiting their church, the last thing he wants is us to feel pressure to join. Somehow, that struck a chord within my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes. I can't really explain it but God used this man's words to help me feel at peace about where we are on our journey. I don't know if this will be our new church family, but I now have peace that this road we're on, broken or confusing, is part of the process of God revealing His will for our lives.

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for TRUTH.

The past several months have been full of soul searching, praying, reading my bible at great lengths, seeking discernment with friends and family. In all of this, I have been praying for truth; truth to be revealed, truth to be seen, truth to be accepted. Yesterday I prayed specifically asking God to reveal truth to me in any areas that I needed, that the areas would be made clear and that He would show me the steps I need to take to move forward.

I know that in asking this I am asking for more hard times (because change doesn't come easily), but I really sensed that this was my time to ask. Last night was our cell group (care group/small group) night. We are down to just us and one other couple at the moment. We were both lacking babysitters so we decided to switch spouses for the evening. I went to their place to meet with the wife and the husband came to our place to meet with Jeremy. "The wife" and myself had a wonderful time sharing and praying. Through our conversation, a couple things were revealed to me that God wants me to work on. It was so exciting because I had just prayed for this earlier in the morning!

So today I am thankful for God's TRUTH!

What are you thankful for today? Visit Iris and celebrate giving thanks!

Grace Like a Deer

Earlier this week, a friend shared some verses from Habakkuk on her blog. I love the passage these verses are in so I thought I'd share my thoughts on it with you!

I had the opportunity to study the book of Habakkuk a number of years back when I was at Capernwray Harbour Bible School & Conference Centre (of Torchbearers International). At the time I wasn't too interested in studying this book, but as I delved into the study I quickly changed my attitude. It has since then become probably my most favorite book of the Bible.

If I was to summarize the book of Habakkuk in one short sentence, it would be "God's faithfulness never changes". How amazing is that?!

The book starts out with the prophet Habakkuk complaining to the LORD (1:2). "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?..." (Thank You, Lord, that even when it feels You are not listening, You ARE.) And the LORD answers the prophet by saying (1:5,6), "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people...".

The prophet complains again (1:13), "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?..." (Thank You, Lord, that even though at times it feels like the hard times will never end, You know when they will end.) And again, the LORD answers Habakkuk (2:2,3), "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets...For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. ...". The LORD finishes up with some "Woe to him...'s".

Then comes chapter 3, my favorite chapter! Habakkuk responds to the LORD by saying (3:2), "LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. ...". (I stand in awe of You, Jesus, because of Your mercy, grace and love for me!)

Then Habakkuk finishes up with the following verses. Every time I read these verses (16-19) it's as if there is a symphony in my head, playing softly at first, then with each statement, the music becomes louder, stronger, more celebratory, holding out and waiting for the final resounding note.

These verses are so exciting!

Habakkuk 3:16-19

"I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."

Did you hear it? The symphony?! Isn't it amazing?! Even though everything around me is in utter disarray, the crops have failed, the sheep and cattle are gone, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord"!

Shortly before I attending Capernwray, I was driving alone along a winding road. On one side of the road was a forest and on the other side was a steep rockface mountainside. As I was peacefully driving, a sudden thought broke my silence. "What if there is a deer ahead?"

Immediately I heeded the warning in my head and slowed down, becoming more aware of my surroundings. As I rounded the next corner, there in front of me was a deer, standing in the middle of the road! Because I had that "thought" and had listened to it, I was able to slow down enough before the deer pranced away up the mountainside.

A couple things struck me. First, WOW! God had warned me of a danger ahead! Thank you, Jesus!

Second, the way the deer turned and pranced up the mountainside was amazing. It was so graceful. With only a bound or two the deer was off the road and with another couple prances, it was out of sight. If I was to climb that mountainside I would be scared, slow-moving, grasping for the next place to cling on to. But this deer, without thought bounced, 1 - 2 - 3, and was gone! Such grace, such strength, and without hesitation.

"The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."

Thank You, Jesus, for life experiences that help me better understand Your words in the Bible. Thank You that You are my strength and that I can depend on You, even when it feels everything around me is crumbling. Thank You for making my feet like those of a deer, enabling me to go on the difficult heights with grace.

Obedience Renews

Tonight at church (we rent from another church so we meet Saturday nights), our youth pastor gave the message. He spoke on II Peter 1:3-11. I had some of this passage already underlined in my Bible but not all of it. As our youth pastor was working through the passage, I couldn't believe that I didn't have the entire passage highlighted. It is so good!

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your caling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

God gives us "everything we need for life and godliness...". Our youth pastor created a picture for us. Imagine that you were planning a backpacking trip. Imagine that God gives you a backpack and tells you that everything you will need for your trip is in that backpack. You have a couple choices. You can ignore the backpack, not look inside or use what's been given to you; or you can accept it and use the necessary items for your trip.

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Next our youth pastor explained that "'Everything is permissable' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is constructive" (I Corinthians 10:23). There are a lot of things out there that are good and fun, but not everything is beneficial for us. Our youth pastor asked us the question: "What can you give up in order to "make every effort" to increase Christ-like qualities in your life?"

One of the examples he gave was that in order to prepare for his sermon this week he had to spend large amounts of time studying and researching. He admitted that in a normal week he spends quite a bit of time playing games on the computer. This past week, he had to be more disciplined and constructive with his time in order to prepare for the sermon. Most everyone has a busy life (work, school, caring for the home, sports...) but at some point we need to "make every effort" to increase Christ in our life. Perhaps something has "to give", be let go.

I got to thinking. I often spend large amounts of time on the computer reading and being encouraged by blogs. I feel like I've made some good blog friends over the past few months and, almost daily, have been encouraged by these women seeking to know God more and to bring Him glory in their everyday lives. Yet, while keeping up with my blog friends has been a source of encouragement to me, I feel God is nudging me (okay, poking me) to spend more time with Him than with my blog friends. I don't feel God is asking me to give up blogging all together, just to make Him my first priority.

Along that thought, a point that was made tonight really struck me: "What I don't choose to be deliberate with takes control in my life and leads to sin." If I don't take control of the time I spend blogging, it will end up becoming a source of sin in my life rather than a source of encouragement or an avenue for me to encourage others.

Our youth pastor finished off by challenging and encouraging us:
What needs to be added to your faith?
We can ask God, "What do You desire for there to be more of in my life?"

Obedience renews! I liked that point. Obedience renews. It's so true! There is such a sense of release and freedom when we know that we are obeying God.

These past couple weeks have been more of a slump for me, spiritually. The change in routine made it more difficult for me to do my devotions. While we were away, I did have opportunities to spend time with God but for whatever reason I chose to put it off. Something I'm still trying to work at.

Obedience renews! Time for some renewal, time for me to listen to God and to obey Him! How about you? "What can you give up in order to "make every effort" to increase Christ-like qualities in your life?"

Quenchable Thirst

I have recently been reminded of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. It has been some time since I've read through them. My parents' church has been working through the beatitudes lately. For some reason the things my Mom has shared with me just haven't been connecting with me.

This past weekend, we had my parent's pastor stay the night at our place. It was a time of encouragement, challenging us and, as he always does with people, he pointed us closer to Jesus.

The beatitudes came up in our conversation. This time, one of them connected with me!

Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."

That is what I have been experiencing lately. My emptiness, my thirst, my feeling like I might explode inside - it has been (and is continuing to be) filled.

I am really noticing too that a daily "refueling" is necessary. On the days when I don't read my Bible, journal, pray, when I don't spend time with God, I begin to feel empty again. A couple years ago, I would get to this point, feel incredible guilt about not connecting with God and would talk myself out of spending time with Him (my confession list will be too long, where would I start?...). Such lies! Satan is so subtle.

But no more! Somewhere in my heart the door has been closed on those lies. They aren't welcome anymore. I know that if I have a period of time in between dates with God, it's okay. He is waiting for me with open arms. And all those times before when I thought I couldn't go back to God, His open arms were waiting for me.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." Oh that is such a wonderful promise, such comfort and encouragement to carry on!

Do You Know...?

It's 9:48pm. I've been up and down numerous times telling the kids to "go to sleep!".

I turned off a tired little girl's lamp...it was turned back on. Again and again.

I tucked a very tired boy into bed only to do it again and again.

Each time the consequence getting a little firmer.

He's hungry, but the kitchen is closed. "Have a drink of water from your cup", I tell him and go to tend to his sister, again.

Okay, maybe now I can continue relaxing.

I hear tears from both bedrooms. Great! Both of them are crying and I'm "on duty" by myself (Daddy is out with a good pastor-friend from out of town). Practically, I choose to care for the older one first - he has a full day of school in the morning and doesn't have all his energy back from being sick.

I go to see what's wrong. He confesses between sobs that he got out of bed to get his cup (from the other side of his dresser). I assure him that it's okay because I told him to get a drink and he got right back into bed after getting his cup. More sobs! I comfort him. I realize his cup is empty and ask him if he would like me to fill it up for him. He nods and manages to choke out, "I thought you were going to be mad at me!" Oh my! My whole demeaner softens even more. "Sweetie, I'm sorry that you thought I'd get mad at you for getting out of bed to get your cup. Please forgive me?" He nods "yes" between the sniffles. My son can be so quick to forgive. I fill up his cup, give it to him saying, "I love you! Have your drink then it's time for sleep, okay?" As he drinks the cold water he gives me a "thumbs-up"! What a sweetheart! I then wait for him to lie down so I can stroke his face. His eyes fight sleep. After a few moments, he surrenders to a peaceful sleep.

Off to tend to my daughter who is still crying (actually now she's upgraded to screaming). I sit on her bed, briefly discuss her consequences, give her a "Hello Kitty" kleenex (a little treat from today's outing) and encourage her to lie down. She has downgraded to sniffles. "Mommy, will you snuggle with me?" "Yes dear. You know Mommy loves you, right? Even when you don't obey? Even when you don't obey again and again?" "Yes." "Good girl!" Whispered, "I love you, sweetie." After a few moments, she surrenders to a peaceful sleep.




I head straight to the computer to blog about this! Why waste a good opportunity to blog?!

As I was working at calming my children down, hearing about how my son feared that I would be angry with him for getting out of bed and knowing that my daughter knows that I love her even when she disobeys, over and over again,...my thoughts went to God. They don't always in these situations, but this time they did.

How many times do we (okay, I'll personalize it - I) disobey God? Do I know that He still loves me and forgives me? I do, that's why I can go to Him, still sobbing and sniffling, ask Him to snuggle with me and feel His strong, gentle arms stroking my face. With each stroke, my pain and anguish is washed away only to be replaced with peace. Then I can be at rest.

This imagery is very timely. These past few weeks have been difficult for myself and Jeremy. There has been a lot of happenings in our church. Each very difficult. Just when we felt like things were beginning to settle, something else would come up.

This past week has been especially difficult, but in a different way. It has been a long time since I have felt unsure of who to turn to for help. It seems we find ourselves in the middle of a conflict but we don't know exactly who we are at conflict with. My natural tendancy is to talk to a friend when I need encouragement. This week it feels that the only one I feel safe to go to is God. Which in reality, that's who we're supposed to go to in the first place!

"Leanne, you know that I love you?"
"Yes, God, I do."
"Leanne, you know that I forgive you?"
"Yes, Jesus, I do."
"Leanne, you know that you can rest in my arms?"
"Yes, Comforter, I do."

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Sick, Tired...

Daniel is home sick today.

He woke up last night at 10pm and 12 midnight complaining of a sore throat. It sounded very raw, just like mine is feeling yesterday and today. After trying honey (it's supposed to sooth the throat - it worked to help me stop coughing last week), half the dosage needed of Robitussen (time to buy some more) and finally a dose of Children's Tylenol, we ventured off to bed in hopes that we would get to sleep through the night. Well, we did and we didn't. Daniel climbed into bed with us at some point in the night which woke me up (why don't I have more room??!). But he slept through the night which was good.

This morning when he woke up he seemed just as bad, if not a little worse. He complained of being achy and was slightly warm. Time for more Tylenol! It hasn't been 4 hrs yet and he already looks wasted. I've sent him off to bed for a nap and it isn't even lunch time! I have two extra kids today but they should be gone home by 3:30pm so I'm hoping to take Daniel to the walk-in clinic then. Being sick and exhausted myself, I just didn't feel like taking 4 kids (two of them under 2yrs old) to the clinic to have to wait for 1hr right when it's almost nap time. I might be crazy, but not that crazy!

Napping with his stuffed puppy "Rascal"

Part of me hopes it's Strep Throat so he can get on antibiotics and this whole sick thing can get better, but the other part of me says it's not good for people to have antibiotics too often.

Next weekend is the start of Spring Break. I'm really hoping that we can all be better by then so we can enjoy a MUCH needed rest.

Rest

I'm tired, spent, emotional, exhausted, "I don't care-ish", "I care too much to just forget it-ish"..., my list goes on. There is a lot happening personally and in our church right now. When I look at the big picture, I get excited and can see so many ways that God is working. But then I take my eyes off God and get caught up in the nitty-gritty details of everything. It's so exhausting!

I am really wanting to have some uninterrupted time with God, but the two extra kids I have today has not allowed me that time. Now that one has gone home and the other is napping, the logical thing would be to occupy my two kids and go spend some time with God. The problem is that I am so exhausted I would just fall asleep. So, I am going to hire Veggie Tales to occupy my children so I can rest on the couch. My sweetie already said that he'll make sure I get some "God" time tonight. He is so good with that.

While at the kitchen sink today I read one of my previous memory verses taped to the side of the cupboard, "In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30:15. The second part of that verse helped to calm my soul for a bit until I started worrying again.

This verse just came to mind:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Phillipians 4:6-8

Yes, Lord, I am choosing to trust you and accept your strength. Help me to think on things that are pure rather than listening to the conflict going on in my mind. Help me to feel Your peace which goes beyond all understanding. Rest..., Peace..., aaaahhhhh, sounds good to me!

Journey Between the Doors

"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another."
Isaiah 48:10,11

I am realizing more and more how important it is for us to glorify God. I've mentioned before about a book Jeremy and I are reading called "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ". This small book has really opened my eyes to the importance that everything we do should glorify God. I've also been amazed at how many times the bible mentions God being glorified. These verses from Isaiah 48 are no exception. God often puts us through a refining process. The refining process is not meant to be easy; it is meant to change the original into something new. But all the while it is for His glory!

"...'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.' "
Isaiah 48:17

This verse has been very meaningful to me lately. Jeremy and I have been seeking God, asking Him what He wants us to do next (keeping in mind that this is a year of change). When I read this verse I was very encouraged by the reminder that God is not only teaching us, but that He is teaching us what is best for us and He is directing us in the way we should go.

Excerpt from my journal:

"Pondering on these verses again! 'I have refined you' and 'I am the LORD...who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you...'. So affirmation of why we are going through trials - to be refined for His glory; and a reminder that God knows what's best for us and He will direct us in the way we should go. So trust God when doors open or close and be thankful for the journey between the doors!

Thank you, Jesus, for our journey. Please continue to speak to me, give me confidence to trust in You! I don't want to fear You or Your plans. Please help us to be patient during this journey and help both of us to be sure and at peace when it's the right time to act."