Snow and Joy

I was reading this morning in Isaiah 55:10-11:

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out of my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

And then...a friend texted me and said, "Enjoy the snow!" Since I live "underground" I was oblivious to the fact that it was even snowing. I ran up the stairs and was blown away with the beauty of the huge flakes drifting down, such as we seldom see in Kansas! It was coming thick and fast and there was not a moment to be wasted. (Although, I must say, I did waste some and by the time I got out the door it wasn't nearly as pretty.) But still! I invited my sister to go on a walk and we ended up playing "Fox and Geese"! Which lasted, well, shall we say, a short time but got us laughing and hearts pumping!

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Back to my verses of the morning...

God says his word does not return to him empty but will accomplish the purpose for which he sent it. I needed to hear that today. The snow he sent was another confirmation. Snow brings me joy. God's word brings me joy.

So don't give up! If you have a "word" from the Lord, know that even now he is working to bring it to pass. He is faithful. Always. And with it comes joy.

"For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace..."

Isaish 55:12b

 

He Speaks Peace...

 The day felt long and I was tired. Thoughts of a quiet, undisturbed evening at home, kept me going through the afternoon. The 5:00 o'clock bell rang and I raced out the door and headed for home. My hopes were dashed as I saw the plumber's truck in the driveway. I knew they were planning to come replace our water heater but I thought they would long be done by 5. Oh well, I thought, they are probably just finishing up. But, no! they were only just beginning! 

The space in my apartment is quite compact, at best, and they were effectively blocking my kitchen and bathroom, with droughts of cold air blowing in the open door. This was NOT what I had in mind! I felt decidedly grumpy and wanted to sit down and cry. Instead, I went upstairs to lament my woes to my sister's listening ear. She was quite sympathetic and suggested going out for supper. Even that didn't cheer me as much as you would've thought and I found myself grumbling and complaining the whole way. 

When we returned some time later, what was my dismay to see the plumber was STILL there! I couldn't believe it! Grumbling and complaining even more I went with Ann to work on the puzzle. Normally, I love puzzles but tonight my heart wasn't in it. 

At long last the water heater was installed, the placed cleaned up and I was free to return to my own abode. All I could do was sit down and have that good cry. When, at last, the tears began to subside I took up my Bible and journal. It was then I realized that what happened that evening was only a culmination of disappointments I had felt earlier that day. This was only a "small" thing but the others were quite significant. Things that didn't seem to have any answers no matter how much I prayed and came back to haunt me time and again! 

And then God reminded me of the story of Lazarus' death in John 11. I'm not going to tell the whole story here (you can read it for yourself) but only a few things he highlighted to me. Lazarus' sisters asked Jesus to come because he was sick but he didn't show up till after Lazarus died! And then he came and asked them to show him where they had laid him. I would've said, "No, it's too late! It STINKS and I'm not going there again! I asked you to come and you didn't. Why do you want to look at it now??"

Our deepest disappointments are when it feels like God didn't come through for us, but that is the place he wants to go with us so he can speak and bring life. 

What about you? What is your deepest disappointment? Take Jesus there and let him speak into that place. Listen closely, for what he says will surprise you. 

And always, always...he speaks peace...