I wanted the gift of the shortest and easiest path. Instead, He gave me the gift of holding me close and strengthening me for the hard path. It took me a long time to understand that both were gifts. And as I embraced the second, my need for the first lost its tormenting grip.
– Sharon Hinck, the Deliverer
When I am fearful, worried or anxious, I have a tendency to want an instant fix to the problem facing me.
As much as God loves me, He doesn’t always answer my prayers the way I wish He would.
I can only see the wisdom in His ways with the hindsight which comes from the passing of time.
Over the past five years, our family has had more come at it than I could have imagined as a writer.
And my walk is stronger and my faith the deeper for it, which I can now see.
Because the only thing that matters on the paths He has for us?
The company we keep, and who keeps us in their company.
If all you can focus on in the swirl of emotions and stresses in the moments is the difficulties ahead, you send out the signal that you are a victim.
Which is where the enemy wants you to stay: Frozen with fear or indecision, so you don’t move anywhere.
When we forget who wants to be with us, we lock ourselves on the path we create, instead of reaching for the hand of the One who wants to guide us on His pathways through the hard times.
But when we take His hand, keeping our eyes fixed on His loving gaze, He can leads us deeper into His ways, as He embraces us with His Presence and purpose.
For even though we may be scared or unsure of what is ahead, God isn’t.
For God is the wisest of all, more loving than imaginable, and knows He plans He has for us.
And He wants to walk with you, right beside you, speaking to you through His Word and Holy Spirit, and show you the way for you to go.
If you are unsure of what may be ahead, you can rest assured:
God is for you.
There are blessings ahead beyond what you could grasp know or imagine.
God is with you.
He will never not be with you, Beloved. He is always with the ones He adores.
God is waiting for you.
In every high or low, He is waiting for your invitation, for you to ask Him in, in all His fullness.
God delights in you.
As a writer, painter, musician or artist pours his/herself into what they create, so did God when He made you in His image.
And He likes whom He made. In fact, He absolutely adores you, and has nothing but His best to offer you. He proved it on the cross.
God is the best companion you could ever have as you journey through this life. He Himself is the gift we can discover along the way!
May you remember that nothing is too big or too small to remind Him about, for He already sees it all.
He is one prayer, one conversation away.
Allow Him to light the way as you hold His hand on your path.
KARLA LEES 