Even in the Desert

 

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the crops die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as sure-footed as the deer, 

able to tread upon the heights.”           Habakkuk 3:17-19

Even in the desert, He is good.  He causes manna to fall from the heavens and water to spring out of rock.  His promises are not forgotten; He is the Promise Keeper.

There are days that I need to be reminded:

• He is my sustainer.  John 6:35
• He is my refuge.  Psalm 46:1
• In Him is life.   John 14:6

 

So today I’m choosing to be thankful for a place in the desert, and sun-scorched skin – because He doesn’t leave us to wander alone.  He is living water.  He is hope.

“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming.  

Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”   Isaiah 43:19

My “A Game”

Jesus doesn’t need my “A Game.”

J.R. Vasser tweeted this statement yesterday. At first I glossed over the sentence not really paying attention but as I scrolled through; it kept coming back…

Is that what I think, especially on days like Sunday? Do I act like Jesus needs me (and my family) to be “on” all of the time?  Do I place expectations of perfection on myself to the point where I can never measure up?  Yes…

But does Jesus, the embodiment of grace, want anything from me but brokenness? Oh Lord, being broken is hard. It makes me vulnerable and susceptible to hurt.

And He whispered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

So that I can be like the apostle Paul:  “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly for my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.” taken from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

For when I am weak, then I am strong…but only because of Him.

Today, I’m so thankful that Jesus doesn’t need my “A Game”.

Joining the gratitude community at The Holy Experience:

#25-31

Thursday afternoon coffee with a new friend

My house lit up with twinkle lights celebrating the season.

The smell of Thanksgiving and the anticipation of seeing family and friends.

Christmas crafts and old friends and their babies (that aren’t all so babyish anymore)

My sister, who makes me laugh without meaning to.

His Spirit, always reminding, always working, always convicting, always comforting.

And the Joy We Share

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

This morning it seemed that He pulled back the heavens a bit and the Voice spoke, just for me.  Little pieces of things, some long forgotten, were recalled and explained in a way only He, the voice of love, can.

Oh, the joy of walking in the garden with Him!

Today I’m joining Ann, and the rest of the gratitude community, in offering praise for the One who is the maker of life…adding my gratitude with theirs

#1  the sound of the neighborhood kids as they ride their bikes up and down the street after school

#2  sweet friends for my children

#3  high school students with a burden for their friends to know and follow Christ

#4  God being gracious enough to provide a “want” and not just a need

#5  enough bread for sharing

#6  the smell of Fall in the air and crisp mornings

#7  His Voice speaking to my heart

#8  a chance to share His heart with others

#9  a family trip on Thursday to the State Fair

#10  a sweet mother-in-law who is genuinely happy to see me and treats me like a beloved daughter

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

The joys we share as  we tarry there,

None other has ever known.