Writing just as fast as I can, as the rain falls 'round

Some weeks (or months . . . or years) are dry.  Bone dry to the point where you find it hard to remember what rain was like.  When we lived out in Arizona it was like that.  Months would pass with barely a cloud in the sky, you'd forget that you even owned an umbrella or that the skies did open up.

But then . . . the clouds would start to roll in one day and the wind would pick up and you ever-so-faintly detected a change.  Was that scent of rain on the way just a phantom smell?  We'd be almost afraid to hope.  And then the first drops would begin falling, hitting heavy and leaving a puff of dust in their wake.  As they picked up in intensity people would emerge from inside their concrete cocoons to the sidewalks and patios and balconies, just drinking in the scent and feel of the nearly forgotten rain.

I remember a day eight years ago in October, driving to an ultrasound as the rain poured down around.  We had lost three pregnancies already and this one had shown danger signs as well.  The song "Healing Rain" came on the radio as we drove and I remember looking down at the new outfit I had recently bought to accomodate my expanding midsection realizing that it might be forever linked to that day.  The rain that day did bring healing, as the ultrasound showed our baby growing just as she should be.

God hadn't forgotten us after all.  Our hope hadn't been misplaced.

The past week or two have been filled with prayers.  Prayers for those who are struggling right now with feeling that their hope is misplaced and that God has forgotten them, as they watch those around them receive blessings.  Prayers for renewal and filling of God's Holy Spirit.  Prayers for the family of one of God's workers taken from them too soon, with no warning.  Prayers to know God's will and be able to pray in it with faith.

And with the prayers, the scent of rain began to come.  Followed by drops . . . a comment here, a conversation there, an Abigail-sighting unexpectedly in a book or email.  As I began to capture those in writing, the drops started coming heavier with Bible verses that leap off the page, books speaking right to my heart at the moment, new prayer directions, a comment reassuring me that I'm not on this journey alone, and blogs that just beg to be followed from there-to-here.  And I find myself writing as fast as my fingers can to keep record of the way God is good and trustworthy and faithful. 

More pieces are falling into place in this puzzle, even though we don't yet know what it is building.   Today has had spring hope.  New directions around the corner, perhaps? A new journal about to be started, certainly, as this one is nearly full.  Wise words to gather that provide refreshment.  I again remind myself that this isn't my story to plan, but God's to write.

He is still doing work in us that is necessary before the next step can be revealed. . . When the blessing is finally revealed, we can see the progressive process that brought us to that point.  - Craig Portwood

• God loves the details in our lives.  Don’t be afraid to share them with Him.  Nothing is too small or too big for Him.  He works in the details.  Don’t overlook them. Actually…watch for them!
• God uses other people.  If you feel the nudge to talk or do something, pray about it.  It just might be the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  Then, do it.  If people weren’t obedient, they wouldn’t have been part of the story and witnessed God’s movement.  God would have just found another way to get it done.  He doesn’t HAVE to use us.  He chooses to use us.  He chooses to allow us to be part of His mission.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that! - Marti Michalec Williams

So, dear friends, take heart. I believe God will do exactly what he told me. - Acts 27:25 (MSG)

My prayer

Distant friend, whom I only know from over these virtual connections . . . . long-ago friend, whom I haven't gotten to see in far too long . . . here and now friend, whom I still haven't connected with as often as I should . . . this post is written with you in mind.  (And for myself, for those times I need the reminder.)

My prayer for you is that God will show his presence in your life in a way that makes it impossible for you to doubt very long His personal love for YOU.  That even when it seems like you are the only one who is left behind in a place of unanswered prayers, when in fact it seems like others are getting answers to prayers they never even had to pray, that you will have hope to hold on to.  Hope that the creator of the universe has a place for you and a plan for you, and that even though it may not be the one you have hoped and dreamed of, that it is GOOD and that through Him, you will find rest in it. (Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. )

My prayer is that even in the hard times, you are able to go back through your life and find the ways that God has been working behind the scenes, often when you couldn't see it and it felt like you were left alone, and know that He has never forgotten you.  (Joshua 1:5b - I will never leave you nor forsake you.)

My prayer is that even when there seems to be no way out of the present circumstances, that you will put your trust in the one who does know the way.  (2 Chronicles 20:12b - We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.)

My prayer for you is that He would be enough.
 

Living it out

I know I've been quiet on here lately, but that certainly doesn't reflect where my mind has been!  In between the moments of daily life of schooling, laundry, and dishes, there is an undercurrent that we're being called to step out.   Lots and lots to pray on, ponder, read about, and listen to on living out the gospel and mission of Jesus in everyday life beyond our own walls, and what that will end up looking like in our specific situation. 

We're definitely in a time of preparation ~ not just for Abigail, but for the bigger mission that may end up connecting us with her.  We have more questions than answers at this point.  Lots of spiritual stretching going on as we encounter in writing or in practice some of the things that God is pointing us towards. 

On the Abigail front, honestly, there are days when I would almost wonder if I had dreamt the whole thing if it weren't for being able to go back and retrace the steps of the early days and all the moments that have affirmed it since.  At this point, I wonder if we're in for a long wait of many years.  But we're trusting that His timing is perfect and not jumping ahead where we haven't been released to go.

In an odd way, it feels like both everything and nothing has changed. 

Holy Saturday

We aren't sure why we've got to this place, why things aren't going as we wanted or planned, and the life seems to have drained out of it all. That's a Holy Saturday moment. Do what has to be done, and wait for God to act in His own way and His own time.

- N.T. Wright (source)

 Thank you, friend, for following the prompting to send this along today.