'His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of His feet ... the Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble, He cares for those who trust in Him'
~ Nahum 1:3-7 ~
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From this week's journaling ...
Whirlwinds leave us reeling, unfocused, unsettled, strained. Everything is upended, uprooted, out of sorts. We are left to find a new normal, a stable reality. We want to make some sense of it all, for out of kilter we feel.
No wonder I feel the way I do right about now.
Exhausted. Sad. Frazzled. Done.
So here I am now. Processing the farewells, aiming to leave well, to grieve thoroughly, to appreciate the remaining moments I have with those I care so deeply for. To understand the stress of the whole house-selling process, to give myself grace, to thank my husband for sitting with my tears, for holding me gently while I weep.
That You, Lord, never change and are rock solid and sure is such a wellspring of strength right now. Because 'when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.'
May these quiet times together, this conversation back and forth, this sustenance, these moments tucked somewhere near the beginning of the day revitalize and stable me, strengthen and re-calibrate me.
You are in the whirlwind,
yet You are never shaken.
I am leaning into You.
/ / /
'As we continue the seasonal dance from one month to another, may we be willing to release our tight hold on familiar and grab on to something new. May we carry our questions with us even as we gather up all the hope we can find for the days to come.'
~ Emily Freeman ~
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Hi Linda! (Love those toenails, by the way) I can't imagine your pain and loss...but I'll be praying for you as I have been doing. Transitions are not easy, even the ones we see as happy ones. I'm so glad that your husband is such an emotional help to you. Where would be without our partners? There's a reason God chose them for us...and it's never clearer in times of stress and change.
ReplyDeleteGod is in your whirlwind my friend. He loves you so much. He knows the end of the story, what happens down the road a few weeks and months from now. My prayer is that you will trust Him, and believe that great joys are planned, more than you can image. More than you can fathom.
Blessings always,
Ceil
Don't you just love that He's strong and steady and oh-so-calm in the craziness? I am beyond grateful!
DeleteThis was a difficult week, for sure. Sigh. But by His grace, the stress has eased way back, and I am breathing deep and free right about now.
I am grateful that you're along for the ride, dear Ceil, for you surely have the gift of encouragement. Have the loveliest of sabbaths, my friend.
;-}
It is hard--but you will survive!!!! I had no one to lean on--but God--and He brought me through it! I am visiting my old friends as I write---they do not go away---friends are always friends!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Sweet Friend, as you walk this road of Hard!
As I read your words, Lulu, all I can think of is Michael W. Smith's song, 'and friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them ... a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.'
DeleteThose kind of friends are rare, but they are there. That you're visiting with your old friends even as we speak is a sweet treat. Enjoy every second together!
P.S. Some of my best friends live in Texas! When we get together, it's like we never were apart. It just doesn't get any better than that, does it ...
:-}
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Oh dear Linda, God is with you don't be afraid but be encouraged.
ReplyDeleteLoads of Blessings to you.
Nope, fear hasn't been on the table. And coming out from this crazed week, encouraged I am!
DeleteMay your weekend be a restful one, friend ... I hope you are well.
Linda, I love this sentence (along with all the rest of the honest sentences. " May we carry our questions with us even as we gather up all the hope we can find for the days to come."
ReplyDeletePraying for you tonight as you grieve well, breathe deep and carry your questions. we'll always have them won't we this side of heaven?
Your prayers mattered, Carol ... I had the best night's sleep I've had in a month! Thank you for coming alongside me and lifting me up!
DeleteAnd those questions? Carrying them right to Him, ya' know? Emily's weekend prayers often end up in my journal. Her words resonate so ...
May this Sabbath feed your soul somewhere deep, my friend!
Hang in there, friend. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeletewww.blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com
That you would extend that grace to me while you are struggling so ...
DeleteThat's Christ in you, friend. I hope you're feeling stronger today.
My sweet, dear friend. thank you for sharing your heart. Wrapping you in prayer today.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this the most glorious Sabbath ever? And aren't you thankful that we are free to lift each other up in prayer?
DeleteBlessings, friend!
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your hubby was there to hold you and that God is your hope and stay....praying God will hold you especially close and reassure you of His love and presence as you process your grief and all the stress of this transition...praying peace for you...((Hugs))
I learned long ago that my husband didn't have a crystal ball and if I needed some kind of emotional support I needed to tell him exactly what that would be.
DeleteThis works for us. And yet knowing God is always holding us close is the dearest, most effective comfort in our lives ...
I hope you're enjoying Sabbath peace and rest, Dolly! You encourage me so ...
So much "letting go" and "leaving" that you and Tim are doing these days, Linda. I wish I could be one of those friends that you could cry on the shoulder of, but know that I am praying for you and your transition regularly. I think of you often and know that even though this new season brings many losses--not to mention, challenges--I truly believe it may be your best, most beautiful season yet!
ReplyDeleteYou've been such a faithful prayer warrior in my life this past year, dear Beth. I am touched by your faith and you steady commitment ... a rare combination, for sure.
DeleteAnd yes, by His untold grace, I'm with you ... may we both, may we all, be jumping straight into our most beautiful seasons in the days ahead!
;-}
And I can't wait to hear about all those wedding details!!
May all our days find us leaning into Him. Sweet blessings to you, Linda, as you lean on our unchanging God.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Crystal! Every single one of our days, not just when we're feeling tired or needy!
DeleteGood point! I'm glad you're here ...
My daughter's graduation from grad school is done. So is a ladies' luncheon at church and my son's big 18th birthday! My head is spinning and I still have his graduation and party, a bridal shower and the wedding. I don't have anyone to talk to now so I"m leaning more and more on Him. I think it's a good thing...............
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the more we trust Him and lean into His wisdom and His grace, the better off we are. For sure!
DeleteEnjoy every celebration, every milestone, every joy, Valerie! God is so good!
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Thanks for sharing your heart in the midst of your whirlwind. Felt like a whirlwind came my way yesterday - your words spoke deeply to my heart, first because I care about you and second because they were the breathe of fresh air I needed too. Blessings, dear one!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Dar. If we haven't been in a whirlwind and aren't in one now, sooner or later we will be. And we learn from each other's experiences as we share the journey ...
DeleteMay the breaths of fresh air keep on comin' to ya' ...
Oh! There you are - the one who knows my God and leans into the beauty of it all.
ReplyDeleteThe God who is Unstable and yet Stable. Light and yet Dark. But True and always True. There's no shadow of turning in His love.
The Unchangeable One who holds you in His hand knowing this troubled bird is learning to trust those big hard and soft hands. He whispers in your ear as your hearts trembles, tears well up and the soul shakes. He holds firm your heart until it beats to the tune He's set for you - and then He opens His hand to set you free...the in a blast of air you finally see the truth: In the steady touch of His love you've been free and safe all along. "Our times are in His hands."
There's no greater love, my sweet Linda....no greater love and you've found it in Him Who Knows all.
Blessings - my sister sweet - blessings Chris~
You surely have the gift of sharing words that go deep, Chris. That you've done so here in encouraging me is a lovely grace this evening, friend. I thank God you are here, walking with me through this uncertain time.
DeleteOur lives are in His most capable hands, aren't they! And I couldn't be more delighted.
Blessings, friend ...
As I read that, it's like you were holding my hands and praying for me. Thank you for putting words to my feelings.
ReplyDeletePraying for you right now, even as we speak. Thank you for allowing me that privilege, Pary. I don't take it lightly, friend ...
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