Jan Provoost’s “Abraham, Sarah and the Angel" - Man, look how old Sarah looked! Can't blame her for her disbelief.

Just when I thought God wasn’t in my daily plan, He goes and explodes upon me a heaping plate full of love.  At the beginning of summer, several things that I had taken for granted as being “sure things,” were disrupted, halted or ended. The life that was certain, suddenly became uncertain.  And it left me feeling out of sorts and well, discouraged and at times a bit hopeless. Hence, my lack of blogging of late.

So when I was staring at the walls of the pit instead of up at the stars, I really felt like I was becoming Sarah.  You remember Sarah. She was the wife of Abraham and she scoffed at what God told her husband.  I can’t say that I wouldn’t have either.  I mean if I was up in my years and beyond the natural age for childbirth, I’d chuckle too if God told my husband that I’d get my youth restored and give birth to son! That’s just too crazy for a miracle, don’t you think?

But, never under-estimate God. For He did just that. Abraham and Sarah gave birth to a beautiful son, Isaac, who is honored to be in Jesus’ lineage. This miracle of super-sized proportion actually happened. So why do I feel like and act like Sarah then?

In one of the five bible studies I am in the moment, one is Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love.” And this is what I just read today – “If life were stable, I’d never need God’s help. Since it’s not, I reach out for Him regularly. I am thankful for the unknowns and that I don’t have control, because it makes me run to God.“

So, as fall is now upon us, so is a new adventure with the season. It’s up to me to be either a scoffing Cindy or joyous Sarah.  So I’m honestly asking myself if I have enough belief in God to expect a new thing?

I mean I’m hearing and seeing His direction in my daily life– but at the end of the day do I really believe that it will come true? Do I honestly think He is cooking up something extremely wonderful, earth-shattering and unbelievable in my life? It just seems so outlandish and impossible. And isn’t that just like God to do the impossible?

A New Season is Upon Us and Its Joyous!

So, I’m going to believe and expect his favor and thank Him for it in advance. I am definitely understanding that He is guiding my path into places that are unfathomable to me and not understandable. But, I know that they are purposeful and in line with my call.

As I type this I am so excited for what He is birthing in me that I can’t stand it.  So as Pastor Chan recommends – I am thankful for the unknowns because they make me close to God. And with that, I understand, that  It’s in the uncertainty, that He becomes certain in our lives.

Stay tuned,

A Joyous Cindy

God Always Provides Warm Embraces

Why does it take one cruddy day to ruin what I have been working on for a lifetime?  It seems because I’m struggling a bit more than usual that I forget that God loves me through and through.  I forgot that today.   And He had to do something remarkable to remind me He still cares.  What an awesome God we have.

Today I was feeling pretty alone in the world – like everything rests on my shoulders and it’s overwhelming.  I thought that this pain would over take me and that God was no where near.  And then I got one of those cheesy chain letters in my email.  And its sentiment hit me at the right spot.  Here’s what it said.

I never put any belief or energy into these things, but today I sent it to some friends for it touched me.  And you know what….a miracle happened.  When I went to my mailbox this evening I got a letter that I wrote to myself at a church retreat last September.  The Pastor of the conference told us to write a note to ourselves from God – I had totally forgotten that I had ever written that letter. But, it arrived on the perfect day. And here’s how it started out.

From the moment you arrived at the Retreat I gave you love and sent you messages to show you how much I loved you and love you.  I want you to start to feel my love  deep, deep, deep into your soul.  Never forget how much I love you every day and that I am always near.

Lord, I pray, that you help me never forget how much you do love me.  I repent of my doubt and open my arms to receive your mercy and grace – me this woman of little faith.

God can help us get through any storm.

A friend sent me a timely devotion today about how God constantly comes to our rescue. He’s done it since the creation of Adam and He’s still at it today.  I don’t know about you, but I’m daily finding myself in some sort of situation where I need a helping hand to make it through.

I guess it’s the images I’m seeing coming from Haiti that bring it front and center for me.  I mean, if you think about it, everyone who has survived the earthquake in Port-au-Prince has needed someone to help them. They’ve either had a hand pull them out of the rubble or someone hand them water.  But, it’s not just the Haitians that need rescuing, it is each of us.

God is there to rescue us all. He gives us his full attention and is the first to extend his hand for he knows we need his help before we do.  But, often, he’s not called upon or in my case I doubt that He can do anything.  But every time I call out, He’s right there letting me know that I’m not alone in this world.

Do you need rescuing? I’ve got some good news for you.  There’s help for you right this minute.  There’s peace during this storm.  Cast your cares upon him.  Your burdens are light to Him.

It’s Jesus to the rescue.

Isaiah 46:4 (New International Version)

⁴ Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.