Let it Go!

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 

Such a promise.

But do we really believe it?

Do we believe it for those we love?

When in nursing school, I worked in the learning center/library. Often, when not needed to assist another student, I would sit in the librarian's office and chat. One day, I told her of a house for rent across the street from the school campus. "This way, if my car breaks down, I can still walk to class," I told her. She listened patiently.

Then, as I paused long enough to give her a word, she said something that rings in my ears whenever I begin to spiral today: "I see you like to borrow trouble for yourself."

Perplexed, I asked what she meant, and she explained that my idea of planning ahead for every contingency was, in effect, fretting about events that may never happen. 

I confess, I didn't take her words as a gentle warning; I was convinced that I needed to plan ahead. Consider every possible outcome and prepare. Predictability was obviously not meant to be part of our family's story.

By the time I started my first nursing job, I was having panic attacks I'd never dreamed possible in my life. Emotionally, I was in such a downward spiral that I considered sending my RN license back to the state, telling them they'd made a mistake in allowing me to take the boards.

Like the poem Footprints in the Sand, I can look back and see the path. In fact, every quarter would end, and I would hear the words in my heart, "You still don't trust me, do you?"

Footprints in the Sand: Courtesy Google Images

He had proved time and again that He would be with me through every day, every test, every triumph, and every failure. And yet, I panicked when I feared what might lie ahead.

I am certain I wore people out. I couldn't see beyond what I could control.

This is not about getting sympathy.

It's about taking control back through total surrender.

Opportunities to trust--entrust--our lives and the lives of those we love have presented themselves. (It's a life adventure for us all.) Every morning, I would pray, "Lord, I will trust you with ___. You do all things well." And through the day, I would experience peace as I waited on Him to do what He does best. On Friday, however, although I prayed the same way, believing every word to be true in my heart, I found myself growing more frustrated as the clock ticked away the day. Nothing went according to plan. And at the end of the day, I was angry.

I had no control over any of it.

Saturday, after sitting in the soiled mess of my frustration, I spent time listening to the soul cry of one of my loves. It was so beautiful and sincere. And then I heard Him in the depths of my soul, "You said you'd trust Me with this."

That I did. What I had forgotten to do was to surrender my right to control the situation. And here's the truth: I am incapable of changing my mind, my desires, or my attitudes without His intervention.

Behavior modification is temporary. Transformation by the work of the Holy Spirit is eternal. (John 15:5)

Surrender is our only option. Chasing the illusion of control breeds anxiety.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do NOT lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be NOT wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I searched Google to find the official definition of the word entrust. I came across many dictionary sites, each saying some version of the same thing:

1. Assignment of responsibility: to give someone the duty of caring for something important or valuable.
2. Transfer of authority: To give someone the responsibility or authority to handle an action or task on your behalf.
3. Conferral of confidence: To place trust in someone's character or ability.
4.  Legal context: To legally assign funds or property to someone for management.
5. Delegation: To delegate responsibility or authority to a person considered reliable.
6. Faith placement: To assign a task or duty based on one's belief in the ability of another.
7. Symbolic gesture: To signal a bond or agreement based on mutual trust.

Dictionary.com 

In Scripture, we are often told that we can entrust ourselves to God's care:

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
2. Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
3. 1 Peter 5:7 ... casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
4. Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
5. Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear/' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
6. Philippians 4:6-7 ... do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
7. Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
8. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
9. Isaiah 41:10 ... fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

He is more than able to care for our needs. He is faithful and trustworthy. 

Until next time, find your rest in total surrender. 

💜 Karlene J 💜

To Those I Love

Palm Sunday in Jerusalem courtesy google images

Before I tell you what has happened, I want you to know that I am okay. For now.  I have been in hiding with several others since the Passover.

I will describe the events to you as best I can, but please forgive me if I miss anything. My hands shake as though I am feeble. But frailty has not overcome my body.

Fear, however ...

It didn't start out that way, though.

We came to the city to be part of the festival. Our arrival was a few days before. We didn't want to miss anything. I don't think anyone could've anticipated the week would end the way it did.

The week's events began with unimaginable fanfare. Travel across town was impossible. The streets were flooded with a sea of people, carrying palm branches, and some threw cloths on the ground. Everyone shouted, some sang. Children bounced with excitement.

And the Man came through the gate, riding on a donkey, looking regal yet dressed like a servant. 

The celebratory atmosphere didn't last, though. The church leaders followed Him around town, seeking ways to discredit Him.

He didn't appear to fear the leaders. Instead, He withstood every challenge. Answered every accusation with words that left them stumbling over their tongues.

Frustration painted on their faces.

Rumors of conspiratorial efforts to end this man floated like low-hanging clouds.

As the week progressed, the crowd splintered into differing opinions. Some backed the church leaders, spewing accusations and wishes that this man would stop his heretical tour of the great and beautiful Jerusalem.

The Cross Courtesy Google Images

I didn't know what to think. I'd seen Him up close. We'd made eye contact once, after He'd finished turning over tables in the temple. A mix of fury and heartbreak seemed to crease his brow. I wanted to understand. And because I wanted to know more, I drew close to His group of followers, if only to hear what they would say about Him.

Some believed Him to be something of a Messiah. Others knew He was a rabbi. And yet, a few, like me, followed closely to learn who this man was.

I never expected to be awakened late one night to the shouts echoing and torch flames lighting the sky. Initially, I thought it was a terrible dream. Then the others in our household began moving about, whispering, fear sparking the air with an energy I didn't like.

Linking arms, we left our home and followed the crowd to see what the commotion was for. The tops of heads bobbed ahead of us, leading towards Gethsemane.

And there we were. Numbers I couldn't pretend to count, standing against the one man. He had his disciples with him, but still ...

Tensions increased. Peter produced his sword, using it against a servant's ear. The Man put it back on. My mind spun wildly trying to keep up, but it wasn't to be. The Man went with the mass of people.

We followed, treading nervously behind, wondering how this night would end.

The next 24 hours staggered ahead like a soldier drunk on the blood of his enemies.

The road to Golgotha courtesy Google Images

I sought out His mother and watched. What was she thinking? His disciples fled. He had no one. But her. And she stayed close, following, weeping, speaking words I wasn't close enough to hear.

He was marched up the hill to Golgatha, his back ribbons from the lashes he'd received. His face was painted red and dripping from the thorny crown. His blood left a trail marking his path.

It was as if the more blood the soldiers saw, the more their appetite expanded, demanding to be filled.

I couldn't tear myself away. To the bitter death of this man, I remained on the periphery.

But when we heard him speak, "It is finished," and his breath left his body, the earth and sky responded with such force that everyone ran for cover. Those I traveled with grabbed me by the arm and pulled. Had I not complied, I am certain I would've lost said arm.

Once everything calmed, reports floated into our hiding spot. The curtain hanging between the most holy place and the Holy of Holies had ripped--top to bottom. The man was placed in a borrowed tomb. And soldiers were on the hunt for his followers. There needed to be actions taken to ensure he remained in the tomb, where he'd been laid. 

He is Risen courtesy Google images

This brings me to my current state. I still can't make sense of this. I'm Numb. Stunned into silence. Or maybe it's fear. My mind races faster than I can process what I've seen. All that I've heard.

And now the rumors that this man is not dead are flying about among his followers. Excitement and boldness have been born in the hearts of everyone who's spent the past three years with him.

I haven't personally seen him, but I have hope. I was told his disciple, Peter, said he was the Christ. The Son of the Living God. That was before ...

Immanuel. God with us.

His mother, Mary, said she was told his name would be Jesus because He would take away the sins of the world.

On a personal note:

Jesus came to the earth He created to pay a debt none of us could. His sacrifice was enough to cover our debts past, present, and future. This week, we celebrate, leading up to the remembrance of all that He did. It is my hope, my prayer that all whom we love will find themselves captivated by His great love for us. 

Jesus is the Christ. The Son of the Living God. The only One who can set us free from that which binds us, heal our diseases, and rescue our souls from the snare of the devil.

Have a blessed and fruitful week.

Until next time, Shalom. 🌿🌴 Karlene 🌿🌴

The Thorn in My Side

How many of us pray for something to happen, and years pass without that thing? Maybe it is a chronic condition that isn't quite debilitating but definitely bothersome. Perhaps, it's a nagging voice (you know it's not true) that goes silent for a time, and when you least expect it, you hear its taunting once again.

I will confess, there is a specific lie that likes to hang out in the shadows around my life. I know it's a lie because it is in direct opposition to the Scripture. And I usually hear its voice when I am most vulnerable.

It wasn't long ago that I told a friend, "I'm tired of going around this mountain." I hadn't heard the voice in several years. I was free! But, when it began whispering its ugly accusations in my ear, I wanted to crawl back into the same old pattern of living I'd submitted to in the past.

Isolation.

But something happened. I woke one morning and asked the Lord to "please fix me."

That morning, four things happened: God spoke to my heart through His word x2, followed by a word of exhortation on a podcast, and then a message on my desk calendar. I knew it was imperative I step out, refuse the tempter's taunts to isolate and be among God's people. And He blessed me with an amazing time at an event with church friends, filled with laughter and community.

Weeks later, the accuser revisited with the same taunting and lies. This time, I was able to not only recognize it for its lying self, but I was able to see the answer to my cry for help.

Answer this: Is the Bible true? Does God lie?

Once we answer this, we can move forward in that truth. This reminds me of the Apostle Paul, who shared in his letter to the Corinthians that there was a thorn in his flesh. He didn't say what the thorn was, only that he'd prayed 3x for the Lord to remove it.

And the Lord's response?

No.

He didn't remove it.

In fact, the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Wow. And I thought we were supposed to all get the answer we sought, because the Bible says He gives the desires of our hearts. Right? And a struggle-free life is desirable.

Well. Not exactly. While Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart," it was James who said, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4 ESV). 

So I would guess it is to our benefit to find out what Paul's thorn was all about.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV).

To keep him from being conceited--prideful. God allowed Satan's involvement to the degree that it kept Paul humble. God protected Paul from Paul.

Considering this, it is in our best interest to give thanks in all things as Paul exhorted the church in Thessalonica, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV). And also to remember the Prophet Jeremiah's words, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV).

Look up, courtesy Google Images

I have heard Jeremiah 29:11 often used when God's promises were declared for greater blessing. And this may be so.

But what if it was to comfort a people who felt the weight of their trouble?

This was the case as it came on the heels of the Israelites being taken captive to Babylon. Verse 10 says, "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to. you My promise and bring you back to this place."

He was giving them hope that their punishment wouldn't be forever. There would be an end, and they would return to their home in Israel.

A thorn in the flesh doesn't have to be an evil invasion, even if it is sent by Satan. (It was a trial by fire for Job, which ended in great restoration.)

Give thanks in it. Give thanks to God that He is far stronger than any devil ever will be. He has already defeated our enemy. We are sealed as His children when we place our faith in Him (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). There is nothing that can rip us from God's protective hand (Romans 8:39).

Rejoice, my friend. The thorn is temporary. For me, it's keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus. It keeps me grounded in His Word, His Truth, and trusting Him alone. Looking anywhere else, anxiety shakes its slimy fist, threatening to choke the life from my lungs. So I choose to look up, look out, and stay focused.

Until next time, walk in His light and life. 💜 Karlene J 💜

Coming soon: Letters to the Church: Galatians

Let the Home Fires Burn

Heart Grown Cold Courtesy Google Images

They were inseparable. There was nothing they could do that would scare them away. "Love is blind," everyone said. But they knew better.

Marriage, children, jobs, sickness, financial struggle, triumphs, graduations ... life. Then came the day they looked across the table and wondered who that person staring back really was. 

Sound familiar?

Maybe not. 

But it is a frequent enough phenomenon that even Scripture addresses this in our relationship with the Lord. 

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

"I know your works, your toil and our patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God," (Revelation 2:1-7 ESV).

I have heard it said that it is normal to have passion burn for the Lord, but it's not sustainable. I have kicked against this as long as I can remember. But on some level, I can understand the sentiment.

The busyness of life beckons, and we run. Whether it's career, family, or ministry, there's always something vying for our attention. It seems to me that we have the option. It's part of our free will.

Slow Fade (Casting Crowns) Courtesy Google Images

There's a song, Slow Fade, that takes its listener down the road of how insidious the death of any relationship happens. This is true of marriage, friendship, and also of our relationship with God. We begin so in love. Nothing will ever separate us. But over time, as we allow things to get between us, we compromise. Each compromise opens the door for another until one day, we are walking away from the one we promised our life to.

Is there anyone familiar to us that we sigh, and think, "They used to be so on fire for God ..." 

It is likely they have experienced disappointment, discouragement, felt they had no one to talk to, and eventually fell into the net waiting, tied up with lies that said things like:

• "God isn't listening."
• "You must have disappointed Him for His back to turn on you."
• "If only you had believed better ..."
•  "You're not fixable."

How often do we go around the mountain of hope and find ourselves saying and doing the things we tried to escape?

I remember a well-meaning church leader telling me their understanding of predestination. It didn't matter how badly I wanted Christ as my Lord. If He hadn't chosen me, I wouldn't be accepted. The hopelessness that dogged my footsteps for several years after that was exhausting.

So let's dispel these lies and breathe fresh hope into our lungs.

Paul struggled. Yes. The man who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament, struggled. His words:

 "Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now, if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me," (Romans 7:13-20 ESV).

His struggle wasn't enough to cause him to give up. Instead, in his letter to Timothy, he exhorted everyone who would follow Christ, "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hole of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses," (1 Timothy 6:11-12 ESV).

And later, Jude addressed the church, "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints," (Jude 1:3 ESV).

As we consider the Scripture, we must ask the Lord, "Is there anything in me that holds You at a distance?" It could be unforgiveness, whether it's something we did and can't let go of, or someone else. Either way, we block God's work in our lives when we withhold forgiveness. In a nutshell, unforgiveness is a form of pride. It's in essence saying we know better than God about any given sin and have judged whether it's forgivable. And we are told in Scripture that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Fallow Ground Courtesy Google Images

Jesus was very clear about this in Matthew 5 and 6.

Contending for the faith is no easy task. It is not passive. In fact, Hosea 10:12 tells us, "So for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you."

Would you say that there are no conflicts? There is nothing sour in your soul towards the Lord or others? Maybe you just feel a numbness, or a distance and don't know why. You remember the days when you were excited to serve and be in His presence. But now?

Oh, it's not that you don't love Him. You do. The demands of life, or the fatigue that accompanies life's busyness has weighed you down.

Whatever the situation, it's been a while since your Bible has been opened or since that place of prayer has seen your shadow. Neglect of any relationship depletes it of life. Even plants respond to our conversation and affection.

There is nothing in life that can live without tender care and attention, including our relationship with God. 

It's going to take work, sweat, and tears. We may get splinters, calloused knees, and hands. Our feet might ache. Our back may feel like it's going to break--it won't.

Jesus told the church at Ephesus, in Revelation 2:1-7, to go back to the first things they did. I heard someone say one of the rules for their marriage, to keep it healthy, was to go back and ask, "What was it that I liked about you?"

Remember those honeymoon days?

What did you do? Why did you decide to follow Jesus? Stir that up. Let yourself remember the beauty of those moments. And breathe again. That's Holy Spirit, refreshing your soul.

Until next time, fan into flame the embers of your soul.

💜 Karlene J 💜

Coming soon: Letters to the Church: Galatians

Winter's Little Surprise, Wrapped in Snow and Ice

 In case your calendar is missing a page, it's December.

Courtesy Google Images

Once again, we are approaching the end of a year, and many are wrapping up their goal checklists and forming new resolutions for January 1. Some have begun seeking God about a word for the new year. A single word--or a phrase--that becomes a theme. My church does this.

To be honest, these are practices I haven't really embraced. I have, in years past, had a word or phrase of the year. Growing up, I did make resolutions to satisfy my curious teachers. But for whatever reason, I haven't felt they were anything for me to adhere to as a tradition.

I do, however, become very reflective during this time of the year. And this is where I'm headed with these next few moments. I read a book by Jennifer Dukes Lee called Growing Slow: Lessons on Unhurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl. In this book, she talks about the beauty of the seasons in a way I had never realized. I guess from a farmer's perspective, the benefits of a frozen, wintry ground is an amazing God-ordained conditions of the earth. Here, I'll let her share:

My husband tells me that in order for the soil to be ready for spring, it needs the cold, dark months of winter. Here's why.

Frost, snow, and cold temperatures all serve to prepare the land for the coming spring. Frost disrupts pest and disease cycles, and it actually improves the soil. Around here, snow is called "poor man's fertilizer." As snow falls, it picks up nitrogen on the way down. When the snow thaws, it slowly melts, quietly releasing nitrogen into the soil. We think that because it's winter, nothing is happening in the fields. But that's not true at all. There is a lot of work going on in the dark, below the surface, that will greatly impact the growth of the coming year" (Lee, p. 174).

The way I understand it, winter is a time to slow our pace and allow for the Lord to prepare our souls for a flourishing of dreams, the birthing of new ideas, and the energy of a revived soul for new beginnings.

And this year, I can see myself more reflective and a little restless. Restless, maybe, because my mind thinks I should be about the business of living and pushing forward. Reflective, because I can see how the past few years have weighed my family down as we've navigated the loss of Jeff's brother and his father in the span of a month, followed by the home he'd grown up in. A time of mourning had not been given space. Add to this, Jeff's aging uncle with special needs had come to live in our home, which initiated a dynamic that none of us were prepared for.

Reflection is good. Especially if it leads us to the cross where we can lay our disappointments, struggles, anxieties, failures--where we can find healing and a renewed sense of hope. That is, if we will allow it.

Unfortunately, too often, we can get caught up in the reflection and get fixated on the past mistakes, missed opportunities, and wondering, "what would things be like if ... ?"

This longing for what might have been is the long stare into the rearview mirror that will cause a crash head-on if we can't swivel our head to see those things in front of us: the family God has blessed us with; the roof over our heads; our current employment (provision from God); the ability to drive our vehicle to and from our job. Every day, we are blessed with gifts we will miss if we're busy lamenting the losses we've experienced. Our God is gracious, forgiving, and promises to restore us to Himself, which includes all that He has planned for us. Scripture tells us, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29 ESV).

Which means, if He promised it, He will do it. We can relax and trust Him. My mistakes and failures are not disqualifiers for my life in Him. Instead, they can be stepping stones of education if I'll pay attention. A friend sent me the following:

• Isaiah 30:20-21 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
• 2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Her encouragement was a welcome ointment on a soul that felt trapped in the guilt of wrong turns and shame of feeling as though we'd fallen behind in our race. These words offer encouragement that God's word is true. Wholly true. So when it says, "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you" (Joel 2:25).

This is a promise that sounds wonderful, for those who've been attacked and robbed. But if we back up to the beginning of this chapter, we will see that it was the Israelites who'd disobeyed, opening the gates for the destroyer to come and plunder them. Joel 2 begins with a warning and a description of how things are going to look for the people. Then verse 12 is a call to the people, 

"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether He will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?

And then, later, Joel says,

"Then the LORD became jealous for His land and had pity on His people. The LORD answered and said to His people, "Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied, and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations" (Joel 2:18-19). 

And so, as we find our way through winter, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and allow the Lord to heal your hearts, prepare your soul soil for spring's new life. The things that need to fall away, consider winter your friend--because faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6)--as the frozen ground puts to death the disease-causing pests. Allow the nitrogen (Holy Spirit's power) to breathe new life into those areas that have all but lost hope--even the areas that have completely lost hope.

Soon, you will hear the voice of your Beloved:

My beloved speaks and says to me: Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song of Solomon 2:10-12)

Until next time, Merry Christmas 🌲, Happy New Year 🎊⛄☃ Karlene J 💜