Wednesday, August 24, 2011

imperfect prose - less air to breathe

(Linking a past post with Emily for Imperfect Prose)

Head on our pillow, our body rests but our mind cannot.


Unrest and worry attempt to grip our soul.

Tempted to give in, our mind wanders and begins to doubt.

Suddenly there seems less air to breathe...squeezed and emptied, our faith becomes small.

Uncertainty and fear take root.

Reeling from the events of the day - the month - we become servants to our circumstances and the thoughts they provoke.

In those times when we feel there is nothing else, no one else, no place to turn, our head hangs low, our feet stumble...fingers groping in the dark we long for something to grab on to.

But when we find the courage to look up - we see that there is a hand reaching out - arms open, waiting to pull us up...

...waiting to embrace us.

In our surrendering, we find Him.

In our brokenness, we are able to heal.

In our healing, we find that every suffering, every valley, every disappointment serves a greater purpose.

With all the uncertainty in this imperfect world - in our life - He is the one thing that remains constant. His love for us is certain. He is unchanging - the same yesterday, today and forever.

And in our weakness, His power is displayed and made perfect.

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I can't do it alone.

And I don't have to...

No matter my circumstances, His grace is sufficient for me. For you.

I hold on to Him.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

I will trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

I know that He has a plan.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28



9 friends had this to say:

starla said...

OH this is like everything I have written and read in the last week!!
...squeezed and emptied, our faith becomes small. Let my faith grow Lord through the struggles and trails. Let me hold on to YOU ARE GOOD!!!

Amy Sullivan said...

"In our brokenness, we are able to heal."

I get this, I do, but why do we (I!) have to hit that broken point to move forward.

Beautiful words, Shelly.

Drop me a line and let me know how that proposal is coming along.

Stacy @ Heartprints of God said...

beautifully reassuring...so thankful in everything...HE IS!

Amy Smith said...

love!

Anonymous said...

So totally need this Word today!!! Very stressful week with major career change taking affect - an earthquake, and now hurricane Irene is heading straight for us! South jersey!

Well, been there and done that and the Lord delivered through the storm - Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, SC back in 1989 or 1990 - I forget. Holding onto Him as we run the exercise again. But, praying the Lord sends the storm out to sea . . .

Ben said...

Love it ...
it flows and resonates.
T

Anonymous said...

I feel like I understand where you were
and how you end up.
really wonderful to travel through.
T

Bethany Ann said...

this is the perfect complement to my post -- about a very uncertain time. love it. need it.

Mommy Emily said...

this so encourages me today. thank you dear shelly. you knew, didn't you, that i needed to hear this? blessings.