How has your summer been going? Has it been everything you hoped for? Has it been difficult? Has it seemed to pass too quickly or felt like a long season?
This summer has been a very good one for our family. I am especially grateful since it began with a very painful breach of relationship, which we never saw coming.
As we wrestled with words spoken, trust broken and the realization that certain things would never be the same, I felt assurance from the Lord that He was with us and that His favor would continue to rest upon our family.
His favor upon us - imperfect and undeserving, but beloved - His children.
He had family members and friends stand in where those we were separated from may have been involved in the past.
We probably miss His provision sometimes and chalk it up to coincidence, when it is really our Heavenly Father showing His love and meeting our needs in a tangible way.
"God is always doing 10,000 things in your life and you may be aware of three of them." - John Piper
As waves of sadness and resentment would come - and they still do at times - He has been faithful. Faithful to remind us to look up. To keep our eyes on Him. To seek His will. To yield to His timing. To see His goodness. To thank Him. And to trust Him.
He gives peace and joy in exchange for our heartache and heaviness.
As the boys and I drove home the other night, we were excited to spot two hot air balloons above us. Shortly after we arrived home, they sailed right over our barn...
A visual reminder to keep looking up!
Love and blessings to you, whatever you are facing today...
Xo
Psalm 121: 1-2
I lift my eyes to the mountains.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the maker of heaven and earth.
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I so enjoy your blog. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I hope you have a wonderful day too!
DeleteThank you for sharing a piece of your heart. I understand what that is like. There's a lot of emotions to sort through and then you know you're a child of God so, you know you can't stay in that awful place. I remember several years ago a similar thing happened. I got off the phone and I just kept saying out loud, Oh God I forgive her, I forgive her! (While I'm flying around the living room!) I felt betrayed chose not to go to her wedding (which I regret now). But we do have to look up because that is where our help comes from. We have reconnected but it is a bit different for me now. Funny thing is, God warned me that this might happen and I thought, "Nah, she wouldn't do that!" I pray that you walk in peace and forgiveness always. I've never been in a hot air balloon before and have always wanted to. Have a great week! Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a part of your story, Diane. I am reminded of how when God forgives me (us), it is complete forgiveness in that moment... He doesn't even REMEMBER our sin. (Wow.) In our humanity, I think forgiveness sometimes is a process where whenever those hurts come up, we have the choice to forgive again. Sometimes it's a real struggle. But with forgiveness, comes freedom!
DeleteI also had a very big breech with a friend of over 40 years. I turned it over to God and asked him to please handle it for me. I finally realized that it was better for me that this happened and even though I can't share things with that person anymore, I am so much happier without the drama that had gone on. I also learned that if someone talks about me to you then they've talked about you to me so I only say good things to people now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you shared this. I admire how you invited God into the situation to work. And, yes, we hardly ever regret NOT saying something negative...
DeleteIt is always important to remember that God is in control of our lives not us! I'm sure there was a reason that had to happen. I've ended a friendship before that didn't feel right anymore. It must've been the right thing to do since I don't have any regrets about it still to this day. Looking up and seeing that beautiful balloon must've been exciting! I have had the good fortune to see one around here a few times (but never over my house). Good thing you were able to capture a photo of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly. So true that God is in control and that He even knew of these situations before we did - they came as no surprise to Him!
DeleteLove this Julie. Thanks for sharing. We've been down that road before. Painful, yet God ALWAYS brings good from it... after our trial we met your family and so many more friends that we wouldn't have otherwise. He will be faithful to bring you through it. I love that scripture too. God has put that on my heart the past few days! May He keep bringing healing to your hearts as you find your help and hope in Him. Love you friend.
ReplyDeleteAwe, so good to hear from you Carrie. Thank you for your insight... I wasn't aware of the timing and how the Lord brought new relationships into your lives after a hurtful break. His love is even more visible to us when our hearts are raw, isn't it?! He gives us all that we need. The whole chapter of 121 is one I have clung to for many years now - - I imagine it's the same for you! Love to you and your sweet family...
DeleteBlessings. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of God's love and care He showers on us.
ReplyDeleteOh Julie! Thank you for this beautiful message! I too have difficult friendshipsituationTrust God is taking the reins! Love this word! Thank you !
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