Seasons and God's promises

What seasons there are! I have been in a season for a good while, and it has been a pretty special one at that. God has shown himself in some pretty awesome ways, there has been lots of words surrounding this time, both from God and others which has been encouraging, challenging, rewarding, and oh so stretching. 

Starting from a year and a half ago, when, meeting with a few different people, I started having the most spectacular car issues- from green steaming goop flying out the bonnet on a very busy street to unexplained car travelling from where I had parked it.... Pretty weird, very strange, unexplainable and well, funny, looking back!:)

In praying alot and wondering what the heck was going on, I had the distinct peace beyond all understanding that I didn't have to go to those meetings anymore, and what a relief that was. God was really clear He had it sorted and in hand, which was a mighty relief!

It was in the months that followed that I started being given the coolest words. I was thinking about it on the way home from work tonight and realised that its been a year since the first of them. I LOVE this word, and it has become a stake for me when things are going well, or really really badly, because in it all, it turns me back and points me hard to Jesus, no matter what, reminds me that I am His, and HE is GOOD! And from there, being reminded of who He is, who I am, in turn has further challenged, confirmed, and given freedom in being able to love and treat others for who they are, whether or not they know Jesus. I get to have some pretty fun chats with people nowadays with people who only know Jesus through me, which is additionally challenging and rewarding!

I love how God speaks to us, and gives us ears to hear. Am so glad that His Word is true and can be trusted, that his still small voice, in whichever way He chooses brings peace, life, wholeness, restoration. In so much too, the words have often seemed too foreign to be true-- too far removed from reality, and then there's time when reality moves so much further from where it seems possible that reality and Gods words and promises could possibly meet in this lifetime, and yet God is faithful and true, it's Him that can be trusted no matter what is going on in me or others around me. And his promises, no matter what, aren't empty.

I was struck recently when someone commented too that when you receive a word from God, it's Gods word, and while it might be specifically for me, it might resonate with others too, and vice versa, so I entrust it to you, because it is precious and treasured to me, and has blessed me greatly in so many situations, it has been an anchor and plumb line.

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I know the plans I have for you. 

I have not forgotten. 

Plans to give you hope and a future. 

I then had that picture of a big oil rig/ massive drill thing and felt like it was a picture of how God wanted you to drill down into his goodness, deeply anchoring you and increasing your faith. 

A reminder to not give up. And also that He was the power behind the drilling too. So you can press into Him and trust Him for the rest. 

Don't be distracted by circumstance but hold tightly to the truth that HE IS GOOD. 

Also - she is no fool who puts her faith in a mighty king. Don't be afraid to believe and look foolish in the worlds eyes. 

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Tomorrow's task

I am doing a spot of speaking tomorrow at church. Not something I DO. And not a topic I speak on. I have been thinking about it all week, and am not really any closer to establishing exactly what I am going to say.

Mother’s Day.

I have been reading a lot of blogs, articles as they have come my way, tweets, referring to articles, or a husband asking us all to pray for his wife this particular weekend.

I am a women, aunt, daughter, granddaughter, friend, Godmother, and yet I am not a mother. Yet-I trust. So, while I greatly feel the privilege of what I have been amazingly blessed to give, while I am not a wife, nor a mother, feel wholly unqualified for the task at hand.

So. Mother’s, Aunt’s, Godmother’s, friends, Women, what do we then say to you, to bless, love, honor, fill, encourage, empower you in all you do and all you are?

Today, we want to honor women, all women. From those who hope to be mothers to those who have generations, those who have loved and lost, those who journey a road of joy or heartbreak, and everything in between often at the same time. We want to honor all women in your journey.

Thank you for all you do in caring beyond reason for others, for loving beyond your strength and ability, for persevering when all hope seems gone, and marveling at the wondrous joy, blessing and delight it is to journey alongside others.

I want to remind you that no matter who you are, who is currently in your hands to care for, where you are or where you are going, you are loved. Not just loved, but loved with an everlasting love that passes all understanding and depth.

You are God’s masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)

You are forgiven (Eph. 1:7).

You are a new creature (II Cor. 5:17).

You are strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10).

You are accepted in Christ (Eph. 1:6).

You are loved with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

You are overtaken with blessings (Deut. 28:2).

Ann Voskamp wrote this week- ‘And there will be tears and there will be laughter — because what messes our life up most — is the expectation of what our life is supposed to look like, It won’t be perfect — but we’ll be prodigals.

Because can count on it: Mother’s Day is for the birds – us who are flying on the wings of His grace and a prayer.

Thank you to every mom, every single person who nurtures and lives life-giving lives…. we need you: (Ann Voskamp)

We have a gift for all the women here today, a photo of an incredible painting by Justine, who painted it for her mother. You can see it here today, so go and have a look. She has wonderfully shared her amazing gift with us today. With the photo comes the verse from Jeremiah 31:3- I have loved you with an everlasting love, and that is my hope for each of you today, that you will know more deeply the depths of that everlasting love.

Thanks

Step by step

There are days when life seems like an excessive in perseverance, of trusting and waiting- ignoring what things look like and trusting the stats, Gods word and promises, what you know to be true and right and going with that until it makes sense.

With the gym, I had a review recently, and well, the overall stats weren't impressive, nothing had really changed. Though, there's the numbers for ever session- they are changing, things that used to hurt don't any more and things within myself are changing, and even when the day has been tough or I haven't felt like I have done especial well, the numbers can tell a very different story, which is so encouraging!

And with life, there are weeks when no difference, improvement, positive impact seems to happen, and it's just an exercise in doing what you know you need to do.

I love Gods reminders too, how he speaks through his word, his people and circumstances. Reminders at just the right time when you know it can only be God is a wonderfully special thing, and feed and keep feeding as we return and return to Him.

So often it all seems so counter-intuitive and It seems that little bit beyond what feels comfortable to walk in and trust, and doesn't often make sense, and yet, there's the beauty to meeting God in that place again and again, and of looking back and seeing his amazing Glory all around. Exciting, amazing times are coming!!!!:)