As much as I like to think I am a strong capable woman, all it takes is a close glimpse of death to sheepishly remind me that I am desperately in need of my Shepherd.

I can honestly say that God has literally taken my fear and walked closely beside me through the loss of grandparents and my husband’s parents, two concussions, four car accidents as a passenger, two failed suicide attempts and one successful one of those close to me, as well as cancer in several family members.

I could not have taken another step forward in any of those situations without Him. He has carried me on His strong shoulders when I needed correction or hit rock bottom. He has not only cleared the way ahead of enemy attack but walked beside me as He guides me forward. Pouring life and love into my weary, tattered and often sobbing soul.

Having the reassurance that I was, am and will never be alone has kept fear of death at bay, each and every day I encounter it. For which I am so thankful, and will never take it for granted.

“Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when You walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.”

(Psalm 23:4 MSG)

#sharingHope

PROVIDER.
One who provides.
And for me, that is You, God.
Everything I need, have needed or will need, You provide in the moment of my need.

When I open Your Word, I don’t just read it. I take it in, and choose to believe it. I put my faith into action and claim these words to be true. Even if I can’t see it or feel it yet.

For You never change. Ever. So the words You have filled Your Word with will never change either, but stand the test of time, now and forever.

All my needs have been, are, and will always be met in You, Provider.

You not only provide for me physically, but emotionally, spiritually, securely and mentally and directionally, as I take in these precious promises from Psalm 23 again today:

🙌God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.

🌿You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

💦You find me quiet pools to drink from.

📖True to Your word, 

🌬️You let me catch my breath

➡️and send me in the right direction. 

⚓(Psalm 23:1-3 MSG)

#sharingHope

“Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down.” (Romans 12:15 MSG)

215. Found in just one of the who knows how many unmarked graves about the residential schools that took so much already from the indigenous communities here in Canada.

💔I grieve alongside all the families & community represented by these 215 treasures, and reitterate what should have been spoken over each one, every day of their lives, especially while they were away at school, torn from all they had experienced before:

You are loved.
You are seen.
You are known.
You are valued.
You matter.

May the families and communities who do not yet have closure be given that opportunity, God. May our government make this a priority now that it has become apparent this is not an isolated incident, and those who should have noticed turned the other way. And may justice be served in this world and the next on the perpetrators. 🙏😭

@convergingpathways

This last promise is the one which jumped out the most to me this week, I must confess.

You see, I am that girl who breaks out singing whenever she can, just coz, but especially when I am feeling joyful. You may see me around town walking & singing or driving with the windows down singing at the top of my lungs (even at 7am!)😉

So this 5th promise in Zephaniah 3:17 grabbed me in a way I am having a hard time putting into words.

“He rejoices over you with singing.”

REJOICES. a verb meaning feeling or showing great joy or delight, but also causing joy to.

That’s right. You and I, just by being who we are, cause joy to God. So much so, He breaks into song over each of us.🎶

Wow. That the God of the universe sings over me?

Leaves me 😳 speechless for a while, and then makes me want to break into song in grateful response! 🎵🙌😁

#sharingHope

The other night, I was startled awake around 3am with my heart racing and that feeling of panic like you suddenly stepped out of a scary dream.
Maybe you can relate.

And a second later, Zephaniah 3:17 went through my mind, and this 4th promise lovingly coated me with the peace it holds.

“He quiets you with His love.”

God continues to calm the raging seas and storms not only about us but within us, friend.

And with that promise filled thought the other night, God snapped His finger and released a quiet calm within me and filled me with love instead of fear. A quiet that I could not have manufactured on its own between my bad dream, creaking house & snoring hubby at 3 in the morning. A quiet that literally put me back into a solid sleep with the name Jesus on my tongue.

His love is not only an emotion but a choice, friend. He chooses to bless us with it, not only as its recipient but its focus!

May that truth release a quiet within each of us that reassures is we are loved no matter what, in every circumstance and season, forevermore.

#sharingHope

When I feel like I can’t do anything right, this third promise soothes my soul as I claim it despite my feelings….

“He will take great delight in you.” 

Zephaniah 3:17

Another translation phrases it as He delights in you. And what an amazing promise it is!

God, the Maker of all things, delights in you & i!

DELIGHT(S) means to take great pleasure in, or a cause/source of great pleasure.

And that means you & i, friend!

WE are a source of great pleasure to Him. Not because of what we do, but Whose we are – His children.

And that thought? That I delight God? Brings great delight to my heart on the hardest of days.

#sharingHope

When I am feeling weak and overwhelmed, the five words in the second promise from Zephaniah 3:17 reassures me that the One I am clinging to is more than able to come to my rescue.

“He is mighty to save.. “

Note the verb IS. Not might be. Not should be. But IS. Actively on the move doing what follows next in this verse.

MIGHTY. Greatly & impressively strong enough to do what is needed, which follows this powerful word.

TO SAVE. Echoes of Jesus comfort my soul as I take in these two words again. God’s promise is to save us, the ones He loves.

And with these two words closing off this brief verse, He calms my emotions as He speaks reassurance again.

God, HE is mighty to save.

He IS mighty to save.

He is MIGHTY to save.

He is mighty TO SAVE.

So take that, fear and stress. God is on the move, and He is more than capable of doing what needs to be done to rescue me.

So I will trust and rest in this promise again. Even if I can’t yet see it, I will expectantly choose believe it!

#sharingHope

This past week was a particularly hard one for me, so I am so thankful for this extra day at home (yay Victoria Day! 🇨🇦) to recharge!

I am in the middle of a confirmed season of mild depression, and last week an adjustment to my meds did not go well. I am grateful for my excellent doctor who is right on top of things like this, but even more grateful for my Heavenly Father for reminding me to hold on to His promises as He helps me navigate each day.

One verse which has always anchored me is Zephaniah 3:17, which He recently brought to my attention again.

So this week, each day I will share one of the five promises it holds to remind both you & I that we are never alone, always held & forever loved, no matter what.

Promise 1/5:

“The Lord your God is with you.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Worship:

God With Us – Mercy Me
https://youtu.be/0evTbghu7Rk

#sharingHope

“We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.”

(Colossians 1:15-17 MSG)

#Sonday #sharingHope

One of the best responses we can have when we feel challenged or encouraged by a Word is to offer it back to God in worship.

This song, written by Martin Smith (of Delirious) has blessed me for years as it draws me closer to God in offering my heart to Him.

“Lord, You have my heart and I will search for Yours. Jesus, take my life and lead me on.

Lord, You have my heart and I will search for Yours. Let me be to You a sacrifice.

And I will praise You, Lord.
And I will sing of love come down.
And as You show Your face
We’ll see Your glory here.”

This version by Elle Limebear & Martin Smith is lovely in its simplicity. May it be a blessing to your heart & His today. 🙏

#heartofthematter #sharingHope