Hope Whispers
Remembering the blessings God has given is hope whispering, reminding – His ways have worked before; they work now, though I may not see, Our God with His ways is working, will work again – and I will tell the story of it.
Last week, I felt fragile, worn – like I needed to be wrapped in tissue paper and tucked away. This week, I feel like unwrapping myself from that tissue-paper cocoon. Maybe not fully emerging, but gingerly stepping to the edge of the busy and contemplating that first step back in. . . yes, contemplating.
Hope whispers. . .
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10
The wedding is over – and it was blessing – the mists on the mountain, the grey skies, the people who are part of their story who committed to drive in a straight-to-the-sky incline and celebrate a forever love – a not-ever-giving-up relationship.
Hope whispers. . .
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” ~ 1 Corinthains 3:7
The sciatica attack has receded to achiness, to uncomfortable sleep but sleep still, to an awkward gait, but my son twirled me at the wedding, and all the muscles and nerves sat back and let me enjoy that sweet moment.
Hope whispers. . .
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
My house had figuratively exploded during a master bath-closet remodel. The stocking hangers on the stairway have been a one of my innovative closet areas recently. A laundry basket of shoes is tucked next to the baby bed in one room. One son, to his chagrin, has had to share his closet with me. I’m never quite sure where what I’m looking for is. This week, I start re-organizing, putting the clothes, the shoes, all the get-ready things back where they belong.
Hope whispers. . .
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11
In all the messy up-side down, God has met me, sat with me, helped me commit to our journey forward, even if moving forward feels like uncomfortable sitting.
I am remembering God’s careful care of me, His healing and strengthening, and the answered prayers for miracles and everyday ordinary challenges.
Shalom, my friends! Thanks for your gracious patience with me!
I loved your line, “In all the messy up-side down, God has met me, sat with me, helped me commit to our journey forward, even if moving forward feels like uncomfortable sitting.”
I appreciate your sharing of how God is right there with us, through celebrations and also through the cleaning of closets. This is doing life with Him, another example of practicing the Presence.
“Doing life with Him” – I so like that phrase – because it encompasses the everyday ordinary and the BIG things! He’s just not there for the big stuff – He’s there for the itty bitty, cleaning out closets, doing the dishes, sweeping the porch ordinary. That is soothing balm, Jerralea! ~ Maryleigh
Maryleigh, I like your comment on the last bouquet of flowers, “and she bloomed despite the snow, the storm, the cold. The uninvited challenges–I identify with that as God blooms flowers in my heart where I never expected them, and He leads me through the cold still as I struggle through the publishing process. God has a plan. My heart just needs to grab that. And trust.
One step at a time, Janis! One step at a time! He hasn’t set you on a futile path! I’ve come to the conclusion the path of the most important part – that holding on, the trusting, the one-step-at-a-time moving forward! Believing with you and celebrating in faith your good results! ~ Shalom, Maryleigh
Enjoy your new closet.
Almost done! Can’t wait to put everything back in it!
Just the first paragraph you wrote is a sermon! And I am dealing with sciatica too. Ugh. I also am at a functioning level, but not where I want to be! Prayers for you.
Oh, Lauren, we will tell the story of the ways He has worked in our lives! So many more stories that we don’t know about. You tell such encouraging stories of God in the challenges! Praying you feel better soon – that you have relief and good sleep at night! Shalom, my friend, ~ Maryleigh
Hi Maryleigh, I loved reading your post. I’ve been seeing the wedding pics (love the shoes btw) and you all looked amazing. Great post reminding us that God is in all of it. I’m also struggling with my back at the moment, no idea what I did, so I feel for you. Get better soon and God bless (ps: I’m blogging again and I would love for you to visit me http://www.faithhopeloveandtea.com)
Tracy
I love that you are blogging again – brings me joy! Praying that your back heal, that you find rest and refreshing! Massages and stretches are the only thing that brings relief for me right now – and I have to be consistent! So glad you loved the shoes – they were so fun (surprisingly, the heals were more comfortable with the sciatica – the flats not so much)! Shalom, my friend! ~ Maryleigh
Shalom Maryleigh. I hear you on your sciatic pain. Mine has had me down the past few weeks, I’m needing to schedule more injections, Ugh. His Hope certainly does whisper in our everyday messinesses. Blessings.
#3&4
Praying for relief from the pain – and good sleep, Paula! I’m still struggling with the sleep because it’s when I’m sitting or trying to sleep that it all hurts/aches more! Thanks so much for coming by! Shalom, my friend! ~ Maryleigh
May He continue to meet us in the loveliest of ways during this tissue-paper thin fragile season.
The wedding was beautiful, Maryleigh, and I am so glad you were able to enjoy it all! It is amazing how in the midst of a messy upside down, God meets us – time and time again – and helps us to journey forward. We always journey forward and onward by His grace and mercy.