Depth of words escape me this morning, but the writer in me has to speak. 🙂
Still today, some hard and heavy things continue in my loved one’s life. I’ve cried everyday of this new year(wasn’t planning on that) as I’ve prayed and PRAISED God. Regardless of the circumstances, I trust God’s plan. He sees the beginning and end. He is working everything out. I believe good will come from this suffering. That’s our God. He wastes no pain. Victory is just on the other side.
Finding this picture this morning brought me much peace. I took this shot last summer as my family and I sat alongside a lake. Next to us were two sisters getting ready to kayak. Each girl in her own boat. Their father was making sure they were safe, seated and ready to go. As the sisters pushed off from shore, their dad smiled. The girls waved and giggled. It was sweet to see the older girl teach the younger one how to use her paddle.
The beauty of watching these girls cut their paddles through smooth waters brought me peace. And yet in the distance, over the mountain peaks, a thunderstorm was brewing. They didn’t seem to care, they were enjoying the moment. They had peace. Their dad was watching them.
Likewise, my Heavenly Father is watching over my loved one. Today I lean into God’s peace rather than on the storm brewing. I rest by His still waters. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with God. Alone with Him, paddling peacefully through His waters of love and grace.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:1-2(NKJV)
PS. I sense a rainbow about to burst forth after this kind of storm. A rainbow of hope. A reminder of His promise. Praise the LORD! He is faithful.
Praying with you for your love ones trials. Remember: The battle is the Lords! Do NOT allow satan to steal your joy! Soak in the all sustaining peace of our precious Heavenly Father and allow HIM to hold you tightly.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers, andrea
For me, peace comes from knowing that God loves the one who is hurting more then I do.
God is working…hold on!
love and hugs~Tammy
Blessings to you and your loved one. You're so right, God won't waste a minute of our suffering and the weight of His glory will far outshine the afflictions. I speak a continued peace to you in Jesus' name…
We must be in a similar place today. I quoted from Psalm 23 today, too.
Love,
Melanie@Bella~Mella
my shoulders relaxed and I too refreshed in this. My sister died yesterday. beyond the storm in the still paddled we in this pool life
paddled we she taught me
now lessons to remember and treasure
thank you Turtle Dove thank you
my shoulders eased
Tiffany, you said: "Victory is just on the other side."
I claim the victory in Jesus' name! I love your heart.
I'm so sorry that I haven't been aware of your pain. I understand how it is to cry each day– I count it a victory that I haven't in awhile. Life gets so hard sometimes and God knows. But like you, I am drawing closer and closer to his arms. Can I do anything?
Praying for you today!
Thinking not only of your loved one, but of YOU! What I find to be so beautiful is that when we come before God he is not concerned with our words, sometimes we don't even need words. But it is the depth of our need that touches the depth of Gods heart. Tears…that is the depth!
(((hugs))))
We haven't had the greatest end or start to this new year either. I will be praying for you my friend.
Beautiful Post!
Hugs
KIm
Need to pop in and tell you ALL how thankful I am for this blogging community. You've blessed me more than you know.
Thanking GOD for ALL of you…
Tiffany,
As I read your post and your comments I know how difficult it is when life seems to be a continual storm without the rainbow or sunshine….
I also know the love of the blogging community so please know you are covered as you can see by the love and comments shared but receive it and trust that many have you in their prayers, hearts and minds and allow the Lord to HOLD you, COMFORT you and your family as you walk through each day with HIM.
There truly is victory and know that HE will work good for you because you love HIM and are called according to HIS Purpose my friend
Beautiful post, Tiffany. I'm so sorry you are going through this storm. But you are right God doesn't waste a moment. What God is walking you through will help your faith and will flow out to help others. What you learn will touch many lives in amazing ways for God's kingdom.
Praying for you, sweet friend,
Lisa
Dearest Tiffany, I can so relate to storms on the forefront of ones life but the thing that keeps coming to me is that nothing is wasted in the lives of His children and everything is redeemed. Praying for your loved one this day. Stay warm girl cause up here it's really really cold.
Hugs, Noreen
Tiffany:
There is truly proof in this post that you DO trust God!
You wrote:
"as I've prayed and PRAISED God. Regardless of the circumstances, I trust God's plan."
Those were not just words – they are powerful words of FAITH in action! You have learned to TRUST Him because of His faithfulness – not in giving you what you want – but is His gift of giving you what is best for you. You have also [from this statement] learned to look and trust BEYOND your circumstances. I believe this is the hardest single thing that God asks of us each day – to trust Him beyond our circumstances!
Another thing you have learned – is to PRAISE God THROUGH your trial – not just waiting for the outcome first!
You KNOW your God!
He is Faithful!
He is Good!
He is a God of Justice!
He is Righteous and Loving!
Victory is just around the corner –
because no matter what the circumstances are – you win either way – with God's BEST as the result!
Praying for you right now!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
Tiffany,
Remember this quote that I have found inspiring in the midst of my personal health crisis. "A set back is a set up for a come back!"
Here is hoping that God is planning a very blessed comeback during this time for you.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Tiffany,
You are wise and brave, and I hope your rainbow of hope will appear soon, as you wrote.
I pray that you and your loved one will find comfort and healing in the name of Jesus.
Terra
You know – I as listening to a song today and it had a line something to effect…that while the rains fall and the skies are clouded – the sun has been there all the time! Praying the sun will shine soon – and show you that beautiful rainbow!
By the way – I really didn't do that song justice…but I hope you got the idea. Praying for you –
Tiffany, loved this post…may God's peace flood your heart and His love overwhelm you like a raging river. Only Jesus can calm your storms. Praying.
In Christ,
Cherie
Tiffany,
Such a beautiful analogy to how God watches over us and we should rest in that even in the storms.
I would love to say that I always do, but it's not so. However I am working to someday be like Jesus in the boat…asleep during the storm because he knew HIS Father was in control.
Loved this post.
Blessings,
Rose
I am so sorry for the pain you must be experiencing and I will pray………your post is very powerful and eludes a peace that God has wrapped around you even in this walk.
Praying…..
I have been doing a lot of crying this year already also. But I do know that my Lord is gathering all my tears and understands. Hope your family is doing well.
Sending up prayers on your behalf.
Hugs
What a mighty God we serve. I am praying for the LORD to pour forth His power and glory in this trial, comfort you and your beloved, and show Himself strong on your behalf!
Praying for the Good Shepherd to lead you and that loved one by the still waters…and to dry your tears…
Tiffany, My prayers are with your loved one and with you..
It is so painful to see someone we love hurting.
God is truly faithful, I am standing together with you for God's victory in your love one's life.
Blessings~
Happy New Year Tiffany! I really enjoyed your post and your words of encouragement touched me,for I also had been battling a tough time but God has brought me back to a place of peace. And it's so good to know that our Father constantly watches over us even in the middle of our storms!As you said "He wastes no pain and victory will come,God will see do that"!
Amen… lifting your loved one up to our Heavenly Father…
Blessings…
Richly written analogy, Tiffany.
peace~elaine
A friend sent me this scripture after reading my post. Thought I'd add it here:
And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Gen. 9:12-16