I just watched "We Bought a Zoo." Good film. Change. Moving on. Doing the work required. Victory. It is an inspiring story about taking a chance to make a difference and find happiness. So important, so important.
It has been ages since I last posted anything to this blog, something that well...just is. Amazing how easily we get caught in all that is thrown at us. These past several weeks I have had pause in my life. I had an accident that caused my Jeep to flip and roll. Thankfully, she was the only casualty. I was very fortunate to walk away with scrapes, bruises and a concussion. I have had concussions before but never like this. I have never experienced symptoms and effects of neurological injury this long. I am deeply affected by sound, especially loud music, crowds and talking on the phone. I have difficulty processing significant amounts of information and have to take things slowly, in stages. This has affected my attendance in worship, being out, and also my work. I am learning more about how to take care of me, how to say no, how to rest even more. It isn't easy, but I am working on it.
This week, God led me to Exodus 13 and 14 a total of six times in three days. These Scriptures record how the Israelites left the land of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. Powerful text, but I didn't know what it fully meant for me. He gave me visions of crossing the Red Sea, but still, I kept asking and waiting. Then Wednesday, I relayed to a friend remembrances of illness, leaving a job, the Lord providing rest for a few weeks and then literally handing me a part-time job while I started a company. It wasn't until that moment I realized that once again the Lord was asking me to step out in faith, leave the current work so that I could heal, and then receive the part-time work He has for me as I work on another business venture. It took me a few days, but I finally got it. I am claiming "concussion"...if that were only true. :-) After I finally got it, the Lord gave me a vision of Him and me having crossed the Red Sea. He stretched out His hand, and the waters swallowed up my enemies. Thank You, Jesus.
The first time the Lord asked me to start a company and leave a job, I was filled with the Lord's rest. I cannot say that about this time. In fact, it was tremendous unrest. I was even a bit terrified, even though I knew (and know) that the Lord will take care of me, provide for my every need, and give me more than I could ever ask or imagine. Two friends prayed with and over me that afternoon, sharing great visions and words that the Lord gave them. Then, later that evening, my two prayer partners came, and our time of prayer was amazing. God showed up so powerfully for all of us. He showed up for me with words of peace, telling me that I don't have to do anything, that He will take care of it - everything. But it wasn't until later that night that I truly felt His peace. As I sat in bed and opened His Word, He sent me to read Exodus 16:18-21, where He provided manna to the Israelites daily. Finally, I could breathe. And if that word wasn't enough, the next morning, He sent me to Exodus 16 again, but this time He included verse 22 where the Israelites were to gather a double portion. He spoke to me, promising me a double portion, not just for the Sabbath but daily. While I don't totally understand the ramifications of this, I'll take it.
I am remembering Jesus prayer as He taught the disciples to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread." The original language means "just enough for today." Enough. What a great word. The Lord promises that He will take care of us, providing everything we need. O how hard it can be to take Him at His word. If only we would. This truly is the road to freedom.
Thank You, Lord for Your promises and provision.
Until next time...
Matthew 6:25-33
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
