Yesterday was a day filled with highs and lows, from which I am still both in shock and filled with praise as i process it all.
It is hard seeing your child reeling with hurt. One of mine is struggling to show honor in a placement where she has been discouraged and put down by the leadership for the past several weeks, simply because they are negative people.
The other child heard he may need surgery to fix a disc and nerve problem.
It has been hard to come alongside them and not take over, as the momma within rages at the circumstances.
Instead, I have stood and praised Him despite how I am feeling.
My children are not my babies anymore. They are both young adults who have had curve balls hurled their way, and are still standing up to praise Him in the midst.
If I have done nothing else right in the hard times of my life, seeing my kids raise Him in praise no matter the season blesses my heart for my part modeling how to do so.
But more importantly, it blesses His heart for their part in bringing Him the sacrifice of praise.
Last night, my country took a radical turn politically. One that i sense will leave scars across every province. People who had served their constituents well were voted out because the nation decided to teach its former leader a lesson.
Experience can help guide us in the hard times, but faith in who you believe in needs to be our bedrock during the storms.
There is no one politician upon whose shoulders Canada can rest for safe haven in the coming storms.
There is only One pair of arms who can wrap around us and help us to stand, safe and secure in His embrace from what may come.
That became evident in a conversation with a coworker who had been reeling from an unexpected demand to prove himself again to a new team addition in another organization he works for, when he already has done so to the team as a whole for over a year. His commitment to his word and the Word has been an inspiration to those who know Him, and inspired me to dig deeper into all He has for me. He cried out to God, spoke in response as He led, and God is stirring up the leadership to come out swinging in his defence. As he waits, not yet knowing how this will all play out.
Yet He knows His security is not found in the support of human leaders, although he is blessed with their favor, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
In the last 48 hours I have stepped up to the plate three times as God has called me to, and used my gifting in ways I wasn’t quite ready for. I suspect that was so He could show me just how solid and dependable He could be for me as I solely put my Hope and trust in Him to strengthen and empower me for the tasks I stepped into.
He blew me away with His grace, and the knowledge He was with me. He showed up in power, and lives were blessed through the encounters with Him as a result.
Because I emptied myself of me all the more, He had more room to move through and in me to use me as a blessing where He had placed me. It wasn’t easy to let go of my struggle to be in control, but it was so sweet to rest in Him and allow Him to lead.
In a hard place?
Wounded from an unexpected arrow in the battle?
Weary from the race?
Fearful of what lies ahead?
Find comfort in knowing you are never alone, Beloved.
Draw strength from His embrace.
Proclaim His praise even when things look dim and grey.
Rest in Him, as He keeps you by His side, and helps you to stand.
May He fill your heart to overflowing with His love, as you fix your eyes upon Him above the waves, and take hold of the Rock of Ages. He promises He will come to us, His Beloved, the ones He died to save from sin. He will not abandon us in the battle. He will come to our rescue, and show Himself strong as our defence.
KARLA LEES 