Seasons and such

In the last four days, three ladies I know became first time mommies (two work friends and one from church). Everywhere I turn the overarching theme of "newness" is prevalent. It is the new start to another school year and fall is on its way. This is only evident in the shorter days thus far and not the cooler temperatures. It is also a very different season for me as I walk through some challenging trials. But, you know what? God's mercies are also new each day, and just like every other valley I have had to walk, God, in his faithfulness, has walked with me. This time around, I am happy to say, is no different; God's character is steadfast.

So, with that, I am walking on and not (most of the time) focusing on the circumstances, but rather how God is using those circumstances for good. If life was wrapped up in a neat little predictable package, we wouldn't have to worry about relying on God (and it surely wouldn't be very much fun, either). It is truly in the hard things that we grow, learn how to trust in the Lord, and turn faith into a verb.

I have been listening to Tenth Avenue North's Over and Underneath CD a lot lately. The chorus to the song "Lift Us Up to Fall" runs through my mind tonight:

We’re waiting here
Waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears
We come empty hands held out
Lord draw us near
Heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything you are

I am waiting with an expectant heart to see what God will do in my life. I'm not sure what it will look like, but what I do know is that it will be better than anything I could ever imagine for myself.

Finding Joy in the Journey,
J