Leaves crunch beneath my feet. Cold front moved in. So the air is chilled. Still.
Inside I’m scattered.
Numb.
Not sure how to process what’s happening. The unexpected hard.
“In everything give thanks”? How?
Why?
Words make their way to my lips. Questions.
“Why, Lord?”
Tears spill and I hold my hands out.
No one around. Just me and trees and God.
“Why?”
Core struggle
Then a core struggle going on in my heart surfaces.
“How is Your indwelling Spirit working in all of this?”
He’s present. Why can’t we see?
Immediately. Gale-force wind swirls through trees and leaves and me. Pushing hard.
So strong, I nearly fall.
Your ways
I look up.
“I am.” The words seem loud. Clear.
I’ve said it before in times when things are uncertain. Now the words come out of my mouth.
“Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Your ways are not my ways. Help me to trust You.” (Isaiah 55:8)
Give thanks
This Thanksgiving, I gather unexplained pieces.
And give thanks to the One who knows the end from the beginning. Our Father. The One who is never surprised by any turn of events.
In this broken world we will have trouble. But we can stand firm on the rock-solid faithfulness of our God who never leaves or forsakes His children.
He is Lord
I learn to trust. In the crunch of fallen leaves. Looking up at bare branches. And pushing against sudden strong-wind-reminders that He is Lord.
Even in the face of what feels scary at times.
He is Sovereign.
Faithful.
True.
What about you?
Have you struggled with unanswered questions? How has the Lord encouraged your heart?
Related posts
Thanksgiving – Seek His face – Be anxious for nothing – Practicing – Trust in the Lord –
Isaiah 55:8-9 – Revelation 19:11 – Philippians 4:6 – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
6 replies on “Give thanks”
Today I was reading Matthew 11 and stopped to pray for the light burden and easy yoke that Jesus mentioned.
I questioned if my choices sometimes bring burdens that He didn’t ask me to carry.
Other things come without choosing and those are very hard!
Asking for His mercy and grace!
Both Samantha and Susan use the word “Hard,” and I think he whole world is feeling that things are just too “hard”: solutions to war’s horror’s or our nation’s politics or our own personal choices are too “hard” for us to bear. In addition to Jesus’ own understanding that we have burdens and quandaries, as he did but that HIS burden is light, his passage from James helps a bit:
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James I:12. So we keep trying, we persevere and pray that a crown . . . or at least a peace …. awaits.
Amen. And thankful that He gives us that strength to persevere, when we have no strength. Grateful for our hope in Him. We hold fast! Thanks for sharing, dear Ellie. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Yes, thankful we can cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us! Thank you for sharing this, sister. Happy Thanksgiving!
This morning after reading in Hebrews I wrote in my journal, “be thankful- we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” Praying for a peaceful and thankful Thanksgiving for you and your family Susan.
Amen, sister! A beautiful and sure promise. Happy Thanksgiving to you 😊