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Tuesday, August 26, 2014

{hope} in the midst of struggle, He is there.

Let's see if I can even form the words to share this. 



I've been struggling and avoiding my writing to the Lord for fear that the pain would be too overwhelming. The last time I wrote, I was still pregnant. I did sense something was not right but we did not have the answer yet. Well, today I have been overwhelmed by His presence and His Spirit pulling me to His word. When the pain came like a crashing wave I had to stop for the tears were too great. I began to write the names of those who reached out to me in all this, praying for each of them and their families, while being so grateful for their willingness to be Jesus in my life. 

Then I came to a friend who sent a thoughtful gift. Her card was beautiful and her words so sweet in the midst of pain. She also sent a ring, pictured above. On it is written Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." A verse I have heard many times, as I'm sure so have you. When frozen once again, I began to wonder what verses are written around this one so familiar. 

{Can I tell you that I was trembling as I began to open His word? There is just something so powerful about His written word to us.}

I think I need to back up a bit and share something with you.  The last time I wrote was on July 29th.  It was still a time of uncertainty.  I was pregnant, yes, but there were pains and unexplained bleeding and test results that did not give clear answers.  No matter the outcome, there would be challenges.  A loss or adding another little one to our family. 

On July 29th I wrote:


"...You already know the outcome, Lord-prepare my heart for what is to come.

Pslam 71 ♥
v5 "For you, O Lords, are my hope'
v9"...forsake me not when my strength is spent."
v17 "O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds."
v19 "Your righteousness, Oh God, reaches the high heavens." "

Hope.

And this morning as I opened the Word to Romans 8 the heading above v18 struck me: "Future Glory".  

{Ok, Jesus.  Let's start there.  Please be near me.}

Oh I thought my heart would bounce right out of my chest as I began to read...

v18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us..."  hope.

v24 "For in this hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?" hope.

v25 "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." hope.

Oh friends, I am shaking now.  His presence and love is so overwhelming in moments like this. {tears}  My soul was dry and felt like it might just cease to exist and then He comes and pours life back into me.  me.  Far from deserving this hope and life and newness.    

I began to copy those verses while the tears just flowed.  And then this came...

v26 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." hope.

And there it is.  I have no words.  I'll leave you with the song below.  hope.

only His,
marcey♥


 

"The Glorious Unfolding"
by Steven Curtis Chapman 

 Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
‘Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it’s just not true
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

God’s plan from the start
For this world and your heart
Has been to show His glory and His grace
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of
His unfailing Love
And the story has only begun

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
We’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

We were made to run through fields of forever
Singing songs to our Savior and King
So let us remember this life we’re living
Is just the beginning of the beginning

Of this glorious unfolding
We will watch and see and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We’ll see the glorious unfolding

Just watch and see (unfolding)
This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

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