A Quieter Place

I'm reposting some thoughts from a few years ago. How could we have known that 2017 would be a year of so much hatred and violence among Americans. Some attacks from outside our borders have been horrendous, for sure, but those within our nation are even more difficult to understand, at least without the knowledge of what we recognize as the "End Times." My prayer remains the same: That we will learn to completely lean on the One Who will return as Prince of Peace and reclaim what has never been ours, His world, His people. Until then, we can find peace in the tumult and courage during this weakened condition brought on by sin by placing our hope In Christ alone. 8/19/2017

               2013

               This time last year we were in one of those tumultuous seasons. Not so much for ourselves as for family members experiencing some really tough times.

Blindsided by events they could never have imagined were coming their way, we watched their spiritual growth and complete reliance on God for His rescue and restoration. God came through, of course, and now we see them on “the other side” – still faithful to Him and moving forward to a new season in their lives.

The second wave would come a few months later with news of my mother’s pancreatic cancer. She would be hospitalized three times from January to April 19, 2013 when her healing meant stepping into the very presence of Jesus for eternity.

And now?

We’re in that quieter place. A place of assurance of God’s strength and comfort resting over our home. Enjoying our children and grandchildren as often as possible. Stepping into new territory as we work toward semi-retirement and a different kind of business that doesn’t involve ladders, hammers and power tools.

Life cycles can keep us a little off-balance and wary. We know all about mountains and valleys as we hover someplace in between waiting to see which terrain is coming next.

But the one constant that brings our journey into focus is knowing that God is already on that mountain top or waiting to give us a soft landing when our hearts reach the floor of the valley.

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

(I Chronicles 16:34, NASB)

As the wars rage around us and attacks on our faith gain momentum, we can also remain in that peaceful and steadfast place. The world’s stage is being designed and fortified for the final ascension to the New Heaven and the New Earth.

“And He who sits on the throne said,

‘Behold, I am making all things new.’

And He said,

‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the beginning and the end.

I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the

 water of life without cost.

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and

I will be his God and he will be My son.’”

(Revelation 21:5-7, NASB)