"Oh taste and see that the Lord, He is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." ... Psalm 34:8
"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
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Friday afternoon I sat at our dining room table while paying our bills-- and cried.
No, not because we couldn't afford to pay them, but because we could. And--
The sun shone gold on the huge trees outside our windows.
Come Saturday Morning played on our radio.
Naomi was home, upstairs, happy. Her second visit this year when usually she's allowed just one.
Tom was at a good-paying job doing something he's dreamed of for decades.
We'd just returned from a long-awaited train trip, our first vacation in five years. We'd seen beautiful sights galore, but also, my gratitude for being home spilled over.
We'd been able to attend Tom's mom's Life Celebration 2,500 miles away.
We'd visited with relatives on both sides of our family, some which we'd not seen in five or seven or more years. I even met my nephew's wife for the first time. Oh, and Tom's sister, her daughter and children visited us for the first time, ever, in August.
We'd found a loving sitter for our cats from just across the street(!) Sally's daughter, Sue, who pet-sits as a side job, even.
Tom and I are nearly prepared as can be for The End of Normal Life as The U.S. Knows It. We are encouraged and not afraid. Excited by these End Times, not pessimistic, bitter or sarcastic.
It felt ominous, really, the good kind, and I think my tears came from seeing God's hand so obviously.
How, within some weeks, He'd put our house in order, emptied my bucket list and--if I died tomorrow--I'd have no regrets. Or if I remain during the drastic times I believe the U.S. faces, that is fine, also. Honest.
As long as I have Him (and obey His wisdom) Life will be good because He is.
Suddenly on Friday, God's attention to detail, His care for us, His guidance, felt like overwhelming grace which sticks in your throat (and hurts while simultaneously feeling oh-so-delicious).
Face it: our own will is flawed. Doesn't see The Big Picture. But God's will does and when we follow Him down the road? We understand His Opposite World better, how it's a planet where:
The first will be last.
He who serves is greatest.
To see, we must first believe.
To receive, we must first give.
And as Jackie Gleason used to always say, "How sweet it is!" How sweet it is to live more inside that unseen-by-most Opposite World than the one we've all seen and have found sorely lacking.
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. ..." ... From Deuteronomy 28
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Oh! And please don't write off a train trip yet (as some of you have). Next time I'll tell you about the 'bedrooms'. They are better.
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What a beautiful post, to count your many blessings and to shed a tear or two. You have accomplished so many happy things this year, and seen people you haven't seen in a while. Bless your heart.
ReplyDeleteSuch an encouraging and God glorifying post!
ReplyDeleteyes! those days when your cup runs over, and you actually can see it!!! pricless! gift from God!
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. A few posts ago you wrote about people watching the news and having dark thoughts and doubts etc. But you are the one who is 'prepping' and talking about life as we know it coming to an end.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't know if your premonition is right or wrong, but aren't you the one having dark thoughts. I'm not trying to be rude, I just don't honestly understand your thinking. Please help. Blessings
Debra said...
ReplyDeleteTerra, Georgene and Saija--thanks for rejoicing with me! It means a lot. Isn't God so good to bless His kids?
Lesley--I understand your confusion. Matthew 24 tells us about these last days clearly as a fact so that we'll be prepared and they won't come as a shock. I'm not having any 'dark thoughts' actually, only practical ones where I'm aiming at being prepared for what I (and many others) feel is coming. It's been a fun challenge, really, and I've felt so much grace helping me to prepare physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
My only dark thought? That so many people will be caught unprepared. The Bible says that the wise prepare for what's coming. I'm aiming to be wise and I'm feeling unafraid (nor gloomy) because of following Grace who leads us on in joy.
Thanks, Everyone! Blessings, Debra
Thank you for your response. I'm not doing any prepping apart from stocking up on candles and tinned food, because I live in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, and we often have power cuts in winter, and I do this every year. I agree, there must be a change in the world soon, or there is no hope for the human race. The Earth is beautiful. It's just some of the people that inhabit her that are so cruel and wrong. I may not have the same beliefs as you, but I respect what you are doing, and wish you many Blessings
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