In Your Presence is Fullness of Joy

Isn't is amazing when God swiftly and clearly answers the cry of our hearts?  Maybe you haven't even put the ache into words.  Maybe you haven't even brought your pain to God as something for Him to take care of, but you feel it so tangibly and it lingers in your mind and heart like a wound that won't heal.

The last month has been hard.  For a variety of reasons, some of which I may reflect on through writing at a later time, the weeks have been weary and burdensome.

Through it all, there have been moments of encouragement, times of cleansing like the fresh spring rains that have been falling.  God is faithful.

The new Bible study we started, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl, (whose title I strongly dislike) has been SO PERFECT for me right now.  I want to underline and highlight every sentence.  I read and reread paragraphs soaking them in and trying not to forget them.  I've had songs touch me and sermons soothe my soul.  Friends have spoken words in passing that they may not even have known was just what I needed to lift me at that moment.

But in the last two days alone, I have had intentional life giving words spoken to me and gifts of service offered to me that completely overwhelm me with thanks and joy.  It is humbling to know that God has purposefully laid you and your burdens on the hearts of others and then!  it is oh so encouraging to be blessed by those sisters  in Christ.

O, that I would do this better!  O, that I would see the need of someone and act on it.  That I would be sensitive to God's voice - hearing and then acting.  That I would lift my eyes off of myself and look around me to see who needs encouragement.  I come away from this month with this challenge and I appeal to you to think on these things.

I remember to 5 years ago when I was a new mom and new pastors wife and so very lonely.  I felt lost in my identity and expectations.  And now, now I feel blessed beyond my understanding with the companionships I have been given.  With the ladies I share life with.  As sisters in Christ, there is no place for comparison, envy or even isolation.  We need all the encouragement we can get.  We need each other.  I don't know how I could do it without you.