This past October, when we took our first family vacation to the beach, I think I took as many pictures of the sunrises and sunsets as I did my children! They were incredibly beautiful and screamed of the glory of the Lord.
My favorite thing about the sunrise was that right behind the sun, the sky was still dark. In one glance, we could see night and day meeting. And as the sun continued to inch its way up the horizon, the sky gradually lightened until the darkness was completely out of sight and out of mind. A brand new day stretched out before us – full of hope and of things only the Lord would know about until He revealed them to us as the day unfolded.
Last weekend, life got a little dark – full of shadows of uncertainty and fear. But God… God has used His Word stored in our hearts, read in our Bibles, and sent through YOU – dear readers and friends – to strengthen us and keep our faces upturned to Him. And we have joy. In the midst of mourning a loss and a change, praise God… we have His peace and joy.
Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for sending me encouragement through your comments and e-mails. I’m printing and saving these words from you because they/you are a part of this chapter God is writing in our lives.
Kim of Seasons of My Heart sent me something I want to share with you. She saw it on the blog, Peace for the Journey. May they bless you as they did Kim, and as they did me.
“I had a thought during my devotional time this morning. A quick word for some good friends who, perhaps like me, need a reminder about our “down the road’s.”
We are prone to them, are we not? To our looking down the road, planning our down the road, worrying about our down the road, all the while missing out on the present moments given to us by a gracious God who offers them for our reverent celebration.
We fore go the pleasure and peace of a current moment because we allow the heaviness of a down the road future to claim our thoughts, and therefore, shackle our capacity to live in the simplicity of a single pause.
This one. Not in the ones to come somewhere, sometime down the road, but the moment we hold in our hands right now.
Do we have enough faith for this kind of living? A faith that is content to live gradually rather than having to see the end before it arrives?
How different would our journeys walk if we could take hold of this one truth and embed it into our way of “doing” life?
Not that we don’t plan and prepare with our futures in mind, but rather that we engage each new step with the understanding that our Jesus is our down the road Companion. He goes before us, he comes behind us. He walks beside us. He lives within us. We cannot help but be surrounded by his matchless and unfathomable grace as we go.
We can refuse it. We can close our eyes to his abiding and ever-present comfort and go it alone, trusting in our own feeble attempts at having life make sense. But in doing so, we miss the momentary peace that enables us to live worry-free and in complete trust of a future we cannot see.
I know. My heart writes from a place of understanding. My down the road’s have been all-consuming as of late, denying me the privilege of a moment by moment, peaceful rest.
I can live in a moment, friends. I’m not sure I can handle the holy “rest of them” in a single breath, but I have a down the road Jesus who can. He stands before me this day and asks for my trust. For my complete gaze on his willing sacrifice that enables me to live in a moment and then to move on to the next.
When I place the cross before me, it blocks my vision from the unfolding of events that lie ahead of me. It covers them all and shadows me with a sacred perspective that shouts victory and triumph at every turn.
Jesus is the Way. He is our down the road. He is the pleasure and Peace of our every moment.
Live in those moments this day, and let Jesus be your more than enough to see you through to tomorrow. “
“You make the places where morning and evening have birth to shout for joy.” Psalm 65:8 (Amp)
Hi Jennifer,
I'm new here (came by way of Kim and Her Coffee), but I see now we have several common friends. Just wanted to take a moment to encourage you. I'm already blessed by your trusting attitude. I believe with you that God has purposed this journey specifically for your family at this time. Count me among others who are lifting you in prayer at this time. I'm looking forward to seeing this journey unfold. There is no doubt about Elaine's words…we have a "down the road Jesus" who surrounds us as we walk each step.
Blessings,
Tracy
You have been on my heart and in my prayers these last few days. We were at the beach just this past week for a few days and I posted pictures of the sunrise…so amazing God's majesty and glory. He is so able and each new day brings hope! Continuing to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much, my dear blogging friends! I'm so thankful for each of you, and pray for you, too!
Jennifer
Elaine truly has a gift of writing! I follow her blog too. Those words also help me as you know I too am going through trials and uncertainty. I'm thankful that we can offer support and encouragement to one another and to know we're not alone. Of course, the Lord is the One we run to.
As I skimmed through the comments left, I had to smile. Melissa @ The Inspired Room is so sweet. I love her blog and often go there to escape for a few moments. She's another one who has walked through this valley and yet offers encouragement to others. I love that about her.
Jennifer, please know that your blogging friends care and are praying for you.
Jen, I'm sorry I've been away from my computer. But, don't think for one second you've been away from my heart. You and your family are being lifted in prayer (by so many). And I'm so thankful for your choosing to walk by faith and not by sight through this situation. I'm sending you my love Friend. Keep that cross in front of you always.
Just beautiful! Thinking of you and praying still. Love ya.
Thanks for the powerful reminder not to worry about the "down the roads". I hope you and your family are doing well.
What a great reminder that I needed tonight. I think I will print this out and send to my son. I think he possibly needs this at this time. I can get so focused on the down the road times that I am paralyzed in being effective in the here and now. Continuing to remember you in prayers. Jackie
I can relate to your situation (I read your last couple of posts) and wanted to let you know that I'll remember to pray for you in this time of transition!
We have been in transition for nearly two years now, from finding out my husband lost his job, to a year without employment, to being called to start a new church and move to a new state, to trying to sell our house so we can be fully engaged in the ministry we were called to do.
Making changes in life when you can't see the road ahead is tough but I pray you can find comfort in knowing God knows exactly where you are going and where he is leading.
Blessings!
Jennifer thank you for sharing that and Elaine thank you for writing that…
I've been caught in this struggle as of late… my focus between the "hear and now" and the "yet to be." It's hard to imagine how all of this is going to work out for you, Jennifer, but I do believe that it will … work out. If there is a specific way I can be praying for you all, please feel free to email me along those lines. I consider it a privilege to lift others before the throne of heaven.
peace~elaine