““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.””
Isaiah 55:8-13 NIV
There is a very satisfying, cleansing feeling I get when I have spent time focused on scripture. Not breezing through a devotional, hoping to get a little peace and inspiration from the thoughts and feelings of others, but focusing my attention on straight up scripture.
That is not to say I don’t find value in doing daily devotionals. To the contrary, there are times when those moments spent reading the wisdom of other followers are what help me remain connected to God.
The kind of study I’m talking about is very different. Whether you choose to focus on one verse, one chapter, or a whole book of the Bible, it’s the intention and effort to connect with God’s word that strengthens our relationship with God, Himself.
That’s because, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NIV
I love the smell outside after a really good rain. Here in the coastal area of Georgia, we get some pretty good rain showers fed to us from the ocean just 30 minutes to the east.
The sunrises and sunsets surrounding those rain showers can be absolutely stunning to behold. Photos never do them true justice. For me, it always feels like watching a visual representation of the power of God’s love for us.
That love reflects off of every storm cloud we face. It mixes with the hurricanes of our lives, and produces some of the most beautiful of life’s landscapes.
The greatest example of this in my life are the blessings I’ve been given that I never dreamed possible. However, I am very cognizant of the fact that those I love endured a great loss, without which all our lives would be very different.
Nearly eight years ago, my precious husband endured the loss of the woman he’d loved since childhood. The toll this took on he and his family is beyond description, and the knowledge of what they’ve endured is never far from my mind.
The love and kindness they’ve shown me since I became a part of their family has been a testament to the parents who raised them. I’ve seen the love and wit and spark of their mom in each of them, and I’m grateful for the amazing person she was in this world.
I love the man she loved more than I will ever be able to express. I was blessed with the time to know and love her mother, and sit beside her when she passed from this life to the next.
I care deeply about her children and I carry immeasurable love for the grandchildren I never saw coming. Three years ago today, the notion of being a grandparent wasn’t even plausible. Yet here I sit, growing into the role with more joy than I know what to do with at times.
I endured my own storms on the journey to this place. However, right now I’m smack in the middle of all God’s glory and goodness…His light bouncing off every rain cloud on my horizon.
I pray I can be a blessing to the family that has become such a blessing to me, and I pray they know how much I love and respect the woman who loved them with all her heart.
Love the Hand of God 