Beth Moore's Blog, page 36

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 24!

 

 

 

 

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU I COULD DO TEN CARTWHEELS!!!!!

 

LET YOURSELF FEEL THE HOLY NOD OF GOD THIS WONDERFUL DAY, MY BELOVED SISTER.

YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT HE ESTEEMS AS TREASURE BEYOND PRICE.

HE HAS LISTENED INTENTLY EVERY TIME YOU’VE SAID A VERSE OUT LOUD AND RECOGNIZED THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE WITH DEEP AFFECTION.

HE HAS BEHELD YOUR RADIANT FACE, DAUGHTER OF GOD, AND FOUND YOU SO LOVELY.

LET YOURSELF HEAR HIS COMMENDATION THIS DAY.

LET HIM SAY “WELL DONE” TO YOU.

 

Oh, Jesus was so worthy of all this work, wasn’t He, Sister???

 

You have been a stellar group and you’ve kept to the exact instructions with every single entry, limiting them to the verse alone. This time when you leave your verse, you get to leave a comment with it. Testify! Boast in the Lord! Tell us a specific way God used this year of Scripture memory in your priceless life.

THEN, click this!

Hallelujah Chorus

 

Beth, Houston. Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2b-3 ESV

I love you so much I could cry. Thank you for the privilege to serve you. 

A Stocking Stuffed of Our Favorite Things

About 30 minutes ago I returned to my office laughing to myself after a birthday lunch for one of my co-workers. Lunches are a big deal around LPM in general, but throw a birthday lunch in there and you’ll never want to work anywhere ever again. Besides the food, the main event at any gathering is the words. Oh my, y’all, the words. We can easily toss around 20,000 words between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on any given day. It is both fun and overwhelming at times. Me, the sanguine, is actually fairly quiet, believe it or not.

I’m tickled though because, I don’t know if you’ve ever worked with 14 women, but we like to play copycat. For instance, one of us could fall in love with a certain moisturizer overnight and by the next week, we’re all using the same moisturizer and the same eyeliner. I guess you might say we trust each other’s opinions. Today was one of those days; except we talked extensively about television series we all need to watch. Riveting, you guys.

I’m sharing all of this with you because of what we’ve planned for today! It happens to fall along the lines of things we love and never shut up about.

Because today, we’re giving away our staff favorite things! The things we go on and on about and claim it’s the best things we ever discovered! We get a little partial and enthusiastic about our worldly goods every now and then. (Well, maybe a lot.)

(If you’ve ever seen an episode of Oprah’s Favorite Things back in the day, imagine that and then scale it down by 100. Unfortunately, we won’t be giving away any cars today, but who would turn down a few stocking stuffers?)

Admit it, we all love giveaways around here, but there’s something about giving away objects you love. Hence why sometimes we give away food or books. So, I surveyed the staff here at LPM and told them all to send me a favorite thing, something they either use or think about on a daily basis. After I collected the emails and studied them, I took myself shopping, and with much glee, I might add to purchase every item for you, our dear Siestas.

Today, TEN of you will win a stocking stuffed full of LPM’s very favorite things! Y’all, I’ll unashamedly admit that I want this stocking for myself. It is just so fun!

The beauty of this post is that it will double as an idea post for stocking stuffers you may be looking for yourself.

Without further ado, (in my best sing song voice) these are a few of our favorite things…

1. Bath and Body Works Fresh Balsam Fragrance Bulbs (plug in) from Diane

The best part about a plug-in is that once you’ve exhausted a certain smell, you can buy a new one, and they’re a lot cheaper than buying a new candle each time.

2. L’oreal Voluminous Mascara from KMac

Yes, we are serious about mascara around here. Well, most of us anyway. I’m looking forward to trying this myself.

3. Tazo Green Tea (with Lemongrass and Spearmint) from Kimberly

Have no fear, we are mainly coffee guzzlers around here, but some delicious hot tea is good for the soul.

4. Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Peony from Jennifer

If you’re looking for a chap stick with a little hint of color, this is your best friend.

5. Trader Joe’s Nourish All in One Facial Cleanser from Linda

If you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, beg the Lord to show favor on your city to build one. It’s a treasure, to say the least. But, do not be anxious if you’re not near one, you can find a ton of stuff online. Thank you, Internet.

6. Trader Joes Kitchen Soap from Sabrina

Shall I repeat myself? Pray yourself a Trader Joe’s near you.

7. Daily Light Devotional by Anne Grahm Lotz from Nancy

I’ve yet to use this devotional, but all of my coworkers sing its praises. I’ll be purchasing my own asap. As our beloved teacher tells us all the time, it’s good to study under other authors and teachers. Be wise, but be free!

8. See’s Chocolate Covered Almond Clusters from Evangeline

Who would say no to See’s candy? I can’t help you if you do. Grin.

9. Philosophy Hands of Hope Hand and Cuticle Cream from Sherry

Philosophy has an entire line-up of wonderfully named products, from skin care to bubble bath. Purity, Amazing Grace, Miracle Worker. It’s all very fancy and nice, but is so worth every penny, if you’re into that kind of thing.

10. Essie Nail Polish from Lindsee

I think I may be repeating myself here, but for a girl who loves to paint her fingers and toes, I favor Essie polish. My current favorite winter color is, Ladylike. The name alone sold me.

11. Boot Socks from Beth

Just today Beth wore the cutest pair of boot socks you’ve ever seen. If I’d of had half a mind, I would have taken a picture for you. But for you who wear boots, this is the trend right now. Plus, they keep your legs and feet warm. Score!

And for a bonus, THREE grand prize winners will receive one:

12. Barefoot Contessa Cookbook from Susan

For a New York Time’s best seller, I have no doubt you might fall in love with your kitchen all over again.

Ladies, the fun is all yours now! Just make sure when you comment to leave your first and last name, as that will help us out when we announce the winners. Also in your comment, consider sharing your favorite thing with us. The more the merrier! We’ll leave the post up for at least 24 hours and post the winners this weekend. Okay, y’all, fire away!

Just a brief look at the winnings. (They’re not the prettiest giveaway pictures we’ve posted, but you get the idea. I had to spend more time shopping than photographing!)

His Love Never Quits

For you who need to hear that no matter what, His love never quits. It knows no end. It is relentless. Receive it today, Sister. You are dearly loved.

1-3 Thank God! He deserves your thanks.

  His love never quits.

Thank the God of all gods,

  His love never quits.

Thank the Lord of all lords.

  His love never quits.

4-22 Thank the miracle-working God,

  His love never quits.

The God whose skill formed the cosmos,

  His love never quits.

The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations,

  His love never quits.

The God who filled the skies with light,

  His love never quits.

The sun to watch over the day,

  His love never quits.

Moon and stars as guardians of the night,

  His love never quits.

The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn,

  His love never quits.

And rescued Israel from Egypt’s oppression,

  His love never quits.

Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand,

  His love never quits.

Split the Red Sea right in half,

  His love never quits.

Led Israel right through the middle,

  His love never quits.

Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea,

  His love never quits.

The God who marched his people through the desert,

  His love never quits.

Smashed huge kingdoms right and left,

  His love never quits.

Struck down the famous kings,

  His love never quits.

Struck Sihon the Amorite king,

  His love never quits.

Struck Og the Bashanite king,

  His love never quits.

Then distributed their land as booty,

  His love never quits.

Handed the land over to Israel.

  His love never quits.

23-26 God remembered us when we were down,

  His love never quits.

Rescued us from the trampling boot,

  His love never quits.

Takes care of everyone in time of need.

  His love never quits.

Thank God, who did it all!

  His love never quits!

Psalm 136 (The Message)

A 12th Month That Redeems a Year

Hey Sisters! Grab a Bible before tuning in if you have one close by!

A 12th Month That Redeems a Year from LPV on Vimeo.

A Christmas Journey through LPM

Happy Wednesday, fine ladies!

Here at LPM we celebrate Christmas enthusiastically. That means that right before we head out for the Thanksgiving holidays, we dedicate one afternoon to decorating our office for Christmas. When you put ten or so hands to work, things go pretty quickly. This old house-turned-office is magical this time of year, so we thought it would be fun to give you a little tour.

Welcome to Living Proof Ministries, we’re so happy to show you around.

Our office is pretty no matter what time of day…

But at night it glows.

Come inside…

Our entryway. I personally don’t think this picture does it justice. It’s too pretty to capture. (The first floor is where all things resources take place. If you glance back in that hallway through those doors, that’s where everything is wrapped, packaged and shipped out.)

This table usually sits where our Christmas tree goes.

The Boardroom

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. (By the way, mantels are my most favorite thing to at Christmas. They’re magical.)

O Holy Night (courtesy of Lindsay Letters)

A Nativity Set in the entryway.

Welcome to the second floor, where everything admin happens. Do you like the way we swagged Kimberly’s desk? Also, if you’ll enlarge this picture, you can see our other Kimberly (whom we refer to as KMac) waiving at you guys. My coworkers really didn’t want to be in any of the pictures. I tried my hardest!

This is where we hang all of our Christmas cards. It’s still pretty early, but soon this will be full of many smiling faces!

A wreath on the door to a room we call the “Red Room”. You’ll notice on all of our wreaths the word Joy! This is appropriate since that is our word of the month and theme for December. But no, it was not planned, just something that stuck out to me as I was taking pictures.

We use this table to break at and enjoy lunch every now and then.

A jingle bell Christmas tree.

A Willow Tree Nativity Set

This is the mantel and fire place in our director, Sabrina’s, office. You can’t see them very well but she has twinkle lights on it!

Another wreath. Another joy.

Another wreath leading into Beth’s office.

A miniature Christmas tree at her entryway.

A little sleigh with scented pinecones and a fun Christmas CD. Wink, wink.

An angel. (The first picture I took of her made her look like a ghost because the light was way too bright and washed her out. So that was cool.)

Some table decorations in a side room upstairs.

Santa? Or Saint Nicholas? Grin.

Some sparkly garland above Beth’s bookshelves.

And for good measure, one more wreath in her office with a little joy on it. Grin.

Merry Christmas pillow.

The fireplace all decorated in Beth’s office.

Merry Christmas from us to you! We hope you enjoyed the tour!

 

The Foxes in the Vineyard

Every so often I come across a song that ministers to me deeply. I don’t know what the Lord uses to speak to you intimately, but besides His Word, for me, it’s music. It is very easy for me to recall songs from different seasons that carried me, and more often than not, they were actually words from scripture put to song. I like that a lot.

I remember being really into Shane and Shane’s Psalm CD my first year of college without realizing the songs were all actual Psalms. I know, label me flakey. Anyway, it wasn’t rare that I would come across a Psalm and suddenly realize I already had the whole thing memorized because I’d been singing it for years. Things like that make me so happy.

A couple months ago Audrey Assad came out with a new CD that I immediately fell in love with. (If you’ve not heard any of her music, you’re missing out on an angelic blessing.) Two songs in particular I played over and over and over again and, to this day haven’t grown weary of them. In fact, the more I listen to them the more they make my heart swell. It’s these two songs that I’ve listened to in some dark and lonely moments that have brought me back to the goodness of who God is.

The first song I heard off of that CD and clung to for dear life was Good To Me.

I’ll pause and give you a minute to go download it on iTunes. (I promise you won’t be disappointed. And if you are, let me know and I’ll pay you back that 0.99 cents.)

Side note: I just realized you are able to listen and download the song here. You’re welcome. (And that’s straight from Audrey’s website, in case you are skeptical of that.)

And if you needed any more convincing, here are the lyrics. Let them soak into your soul.

I put all my hope in the truth of Your promise

And I steady my heart on the ground of Your goodness

When I’m bowed down with sorrow I will lift up Your name

And the foxes in the vineyard will not steal my joy

Because You are good to me, good to me

I lift up my eyes to the hills where my help is found

Your voice fills the night – raise my head up to hear the sound

Though fires burn all around me I will praise You, my God

And the foxes in the vineyard will not steal my joy

Because You are good to me, good to me

Your goodness and mercy shall follow me

All my life

I will trust in Your promise

I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that it took me one listen to fall completely in love with this song, but I’ll readily admit that although I could pinpoint the obvious scripture references, I was confused by the foxes in the vineyard stealing my joy.

Some of you might immediately recall that reference, but me? Not so much. If you’re anything like me, you appreciate song lyrics, but more than that, you want to know what they mean and what you’re singing, so I looked it up.

And that’s when I came across this word picture:

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards–for our vineyard is in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15 (NET)

Since Song of Songs isn’t my go-to book these days, it’s no surprise that I found that reference hidden in there. I don’t pretend to be a scholar and am certain I’ll never be labeled as one, but I have to believe that although I’m not married, because this is found in scriptures, it applies to me just as much as it would apply to anyone.

Because those foxes? They represent all the little hindrances and obstacles that threaten to sabotage my relationship with Christ. They restrain, restrict and put up barriers between Jesus and me. I can only imagine the foxes that sneak up on marriages. Or relationships.  Or families.  Or neighborhoods.  Or churches, for heaven’s sake!

Jealousy, envy, discord, anger, bitterness, insecurity, anxiety, lust, discouragement, hatred and the list could go on and on.

If we don’t continually nip them in the bud, the foxes will seek to spoil the growing fruitful vineyards.

What are your foxes? Last week I sat down, and besides the obvious circumstances I can’t control that threaten to steal my joy (and oftentimes they do), I listed out each of the foxes I’ve let in my vineyard. The things I do have control over because of Christ in me. It was amazing the difference it made in my week. Declaring out loud those ugly flaws. I dare us to ask the Lord to deliver us from them, ask the Lord to catch them before they can ruin one grape. Before they can pounce on you at the first sign of any good fruit.

Deliver us, Lord. Let not one fox steal our joy, because YOU, God are so good to us.

In the words of a very wise Bible study teacher, Joy Cometh!

Amen.

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 23!

My Border Collie, Queen Esther, is just about as handy as a GPS if she’s been to the destination at least once. The closer we get to where we’re going, the more hyper she becomes. The backseat of my car may as well be a treadmill. In fact, if I’m on the phone, I usually have to hang up because the person on the other line becomes too distracted to talk.

What is that?

My dog. Sorry. She’s a little over excited.

Is she hurt?

No. She’s happy.

What does she want?

Out!

She jumps from window to window and commences – not to bark exactly – but to yelp. I constantly insist to Keith that I have the gift of interpretation for the tongue Queen Esther speaks and, when we’re coming up on our destination, I am absolutely sure of what she’s saying: Let me out of this car so I can run the rest of the way!

Right about now, you’re the Queen – the real kind and not the canine variety – and it’s the perfect time to start your happiest yelping. You can see from the view out of your window that we are almost to our destination and, after a whole lot of hard work, I hope everything in you is hyping up and hollering, Let me out so I can run the rest of the way!

Good grief, you’ve been fantastic. I cannot recall ever having a higher percentage finish out the year. I’d have to check past years to confirm that but I don’t remember ever having a more active group from start to finish. I wish you were sitting right here with me in my chilly den in front of this fire and we could talk face to face instead of line to line.

Our heater is out and it is just about as cold in Houston as it gets most winters. We’ve already had the repairman out for hours but he’s been unable to fix it and advised us to call our builder. He thinks it’s a malfunction in the unit. You have to write an email request to the builder for a repair and we haven’t heard back from them yet so it could be a frosty few days. I just worked out on my elliptical with a jacket on if that tells you anything. I don’t mind so much though, as long as it’s fixed pretty soon. It’s gorgeous outside and I love sitting by a fire anyway. The part I don’t like is that Jackson and Annabeth’s room at my house is like ice and they really can’t even play in it right now when they come over. No worries, though. I expect it to be repaired surely by the first few days of this week.

If you were here, I’d also serve you up some cinnamon rolls in about an hour. I made homemade rolls for our Thanksgiving feast and I almost always roll out cinnamon rolls with the leftover dough several days later. They’re rising right now under some lights in the only warm end of my house.

Some of you are observant enough to ask me if I pulled two of them off the one pan and ate them raw because of those 2 circles of flour. No, I didn’t – though I was tempted – but I did peel them off and put them on the second cookie sheet because the 3 rolls that wouldn’t fit on the first pan looked so lonely over there. My cold house is going to smell like heaven in a little while. Sometimes I make a thick butter icing but, really, I prefer a thinner glaze made of powdered sugar, vanilla and a tiny bit of half and half. Too much icing takes away from the homemade flavor of the rolls in my opinion.

The inevitable question I get at a time like this is, “Do you always eat like that?”

Lord have mercy, no. But, Girlfriend, it’s a holiday.

I could make you hot tea or coffee to go with yours, depending upon your preference, and we’d chat a while and then we’d trade our 23rd verses.

My selection came up in my devotional this morning and catapulted me into prayer. I’m actually memorizing the 2nd chapter of Colossians right now but sometimes the section I’m working on next is too awkward out of context to post as an SSMT verse. For instance, if Colossians 2:21 were next, imagine this as my SSMT selection: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” See? Awkward. So, if I’m in the middle of a long portion, I usually go off road for SSMT and select a verse that is more user friendly so that women who are drawing a blank on their choices can go with me on mine if they wish. Here goes:

 

Beth, Houston. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 ESV

The second half of it drew me into intercession. It does not say that the reason the Son of God appeared was to deny the works of the devil. It does not say that the Son of God appeared to downplay the works of the devil. It does not say that the Son of God appeared to decrease the works of the devil. It says He appeared to DESTROY the works of the devil.

So I started pinpointing some areas around my life and the lives of my family members and loved ones where the enemy is rearing up his ugly head. And with great joy and a sense of victory in my chest, I thanked Jesus for coming to destroy his works and asked Him to demonstrate that destruction right before our eyes in those areas. We know that “the ancient serpent, who is the devil” will not be completely bound until the Kingdom of the living Christ comes in its fullness and His throne is established right here on earth. At that time, the prayer we’ve prayed more than any other will finally be fulfilled: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

But, until then, we are meant to experience stunning victories where we see living, breathing evidences that the enemy has been overcome. We’re meant to give the devil a taste of what he will experience in the Kingdom when he is bound for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:2)

Let’s not let him off the hook. Let’s remind our enemy every single day that he is not only defeated. His works are destroyed in Jesus’ great Name.

You, my dear sister, are a great privilege to serve. Walk strong with your God, young lady. Ask for a fiery faith to believe Him and for eyes to see His works manifested right here on this ailing planet. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) 

Let’s toast to that.

 

Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2013: Verse 23!

My Border Collie, Queen Esther, is just about as handy as a GPS if she’s been to the destination at least once. The closer we get to where we’re going, the more hyper she becomes. The backseat of my car may as well be a treadmill. In fact, if I’m on the phone, I usually have to hang up because the person on the other line becomes too distracted to talk.

What is that?

My dog. Sorry. She’s a little over excited.

Is she hurt?

No. She’s happy.

What does she want?

Out!

She jumps from window to window and commences – not to bark exactly – but to yelp. I constantly insist to Keith that I have the gift of interpretation for the tongue Queen Esther speaks and, when we’re coming up on our destination, I am absolutely sure of what she’s saying: Let me out of this car so I can run the rest of the way!

Right about now, you’re the Queen – the real kind and not the canine variety – and it’s the perfect time to start your happiest yelping. You can see from the view out of your window that we are almost to our destination and, after a whole lot of hard work, I hope everything in you is hyping up and hollering, Let me out so I can run the rest of the way!

Good grief, you’ve been fantastic. I cannot recall ever having a higher percentage finish out the year. I’d have to check past years to confirm that but I don’t remember ever having a more active group from start to finish. I wish you were sitting right here with me in my chilly den in front of this fire and we could talk face to face instead of line to line.

Our heater is out and it is just about as cold in Houston as it gets most winters. We’ve already had the repairman out for hours but he’s been unable to fix it and advised us to call our builder. He thinks it’s a malfunction in the unit. You have to write an email request to the builder for a repair and we haven’t heard back from them yet so it could be a frosty few days. I just worked out on my elliptical with a jacket on if that tells you anything. I don’t mind so much though, as long as it’s fixed pretty soon. It’s gorgeous outside and I love sitting by a fire anyway. The part I don’t like is that Jackson and Annabeth’s room at my house is like ice and they really can’t even play in it right now when they come over. No worries, though. I expect it to be repaired surely by the first few days of this week.

If you were here, I’d also serve you up some cinnamon rolls in about an hour. I made homemade rolls for our Thanksgiving feast and I almost always roll out cinnamon rolls with the leftover dough several days later. They’re rising right now under some lights in the only warm end of my house.

Some of you are observant enough to ask me if I pulled two of them off the one pan and ate them raw because of those 2 circles of flour. No, I didn’t – though I was tempted – but I did peel them off and put them on the second cookie sheet because the 3 rolls that wouldn’t fit on the first pan looked so lonely over there. My cold house is going to smell like heaven in a little while. Sometimes I make a thick butter icing but, really, I prefer a thinner glaze made of powdered sugar, vanilla and a tiny bit of half and half. Too much icing takes away from the homemade flavor of the rolls in my opinion.

The inevitable question I get at a time like this is, “Do you always eat like that?”

Lord have mercy, no. But, Girlfriend, it’s a holiday.

I could make you hot tea or coffee to go with yours, depending upon your preference, and we’d chat a while and then we’d trade our 23rd verses.

My selection came up in my devotional this morning and catapulted me into prayer. I’m actually memorizing the 2nd chapter of Colossians right now but sometimes the section I’m working on next is too awkward out of context to post as an SSMT verse. For instance, if Colossians 2:21 were next, imagine this as my SSMT selection: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” See? Awkward. So, if I’m in the middle of a long portion, I usually go off road for SSMT and select a verse that is more user friendly so that women who are drawing a blank on their choices can go with me on mine if they wish. Here goes:

 

Beth, Houston. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 ESV

The second half of it drew me into intercession. It does not say that the reason the Son of God appeared was to deny the works of the devil. It does not say that the Son of God appeared to downplay the works of the devil. It does not say that the Son of God appeared to decrease the works of the devil. It says He appeared to DESTROY the works of the devil.

So I started pinpointing some areas around my life and the lives of my family members and loved ones where the enemy is rearing up his ugly head. And with great joy and a sense of victory in my chest, I thanked Jesus for coming to destroy his works and asked Him to demonstrate that destruction right before our eyes in those areas. We know that “the ancient serpent, who is the devil” will not be completely bound until the Kingdom of the living Christ comes in its fullness and His throne is established right here on earth. At that time, the prayer we’ve prayed more than any other will finally be fulfilled: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

But, until then, we are meant to experience stunning victories where we see living, breathing evidences that the enemy has been overcome. We’re meant to give the devil a taste of what he will experience in the Kingdom when he is bound for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:2)

Let’s not let him off the hook. Let’s remind our enemy every single day that he is not only defeated. His works are destroyed in Jesus’ great Name.

You, my dear sister, are a great privilege to serve. Walk strong with your God, young lady. Ask for a fiery faith to believe Him and for eyes to see His works manifested right here on this ailing planet. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) 

Let’s toast to that.

 

My Soul Knows

Hey, my beloved sisters! I have you on my mind right now, wondering how you are and what God is presently sowing into your path. I’ve been writing to you steadily through Children of the Day but today I found myself longing for real-time interaction. I’ve been thinking about a verse that I’ve known and loved a very long time. I like it in almost any version but it’s by far the most gorgeous in the King James.

 

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    Marvelous are Your works,

    And that my soul knows very well.

     Psalm 139:14 NKJV

It’s the last line that I love so much. Life is hard and all our unanswered questions and unsolvable mysteries can make us feel like we’re getting sucked further and further into a black hole. We can come to the conclusion that there is really very little that we can know and, for the most part, we earthlings are victims of gravity, the soles of our feet stuck to the dirt and growing more callous by the day. Depression runs particularly rampant this time of year and darkness can be even darker for children of light. We know it’s not where we belong but we don’t always know how to crack the door to the sunshine.

We’re going to give that a shot today.

My challenge to you in the midst of all our questions is to behold what we each – individually, not corporately – really do know all the way into the dark folds of our souls. Here’s the 2-part assignment:

 

1. Complete this sentence: Right now I don’t have any idea… (pick only one thing, the thing that you find most confusing right now or most removed from your knowledgeable reach).

 

2. But these things my soul knows very well: (Write 5 things you know – really, really know – even in the black of night, even when you don’t feel well, even amid your thousands of other questions. Don’t just come up with 5 things by rote because you know they’re the right things to say and they’d be the top 5 priority pieces of information for people of our faith. What 5 things make the most difference to you right now in your circumstances?? What does your soul know very well? 5 things, Sweet Things. Don’t copy anybody else’s answers. Don’t even read anyone else’s list until you leave your comment. This is not about their relationship with your God. This is about yours. In a world of wondering, what do you know, Sister? Resist being predictable. Think about it. Don’t say it if you don’t know it to your core. For instance, don’t say, “I know God loves me” if the truth is that you doubt it every single day. Say what you know.

 

And those things will bridge your faith over to what you don’t.

 

I love you so much.

When a Longing Goes Unmet

Last week through twitter I happened to come across an article on singleness. (Let me say upfront that although I’m using that as a springboard, this post isn’t about singleness, but rather each of our different longings. Because let’s be so honest, that is one of many longings left unmet. Okay, I feel better now. Grin.) Before reading it all the way through I quickly glanced through bits and pieces and the sweet girl who put herself out there had mentioned that she was 23 years old. A couple hours later when I had a moment, I actually read the entire post but realized her age had been removed.

And then I got to the comments.

It was no wonder that she removed her age because the first comment that I laid my eyes on was from someone ripping her to shreds for writing an article on singleness at the age of 23. What did she know? They were 34 and had waited a lot longer. How dare she?

Instantly I got defensive for this poor girl because a) I know all too well what it’s like to put yourself out there to then get slammed by the people instead of built up and b) since when was there an age limit that we could talk about singleness? Since when could we not express our desires until we had been labeled an expert? I didn’t comment because my blood pressure was too high and I’m pretty sure I would have said things I would have later regretted, but here is what I know and I would have said to that sweet girl if I could go back to that post:

The longings the Lord gives us are real. I don’t care if you’re 16 or 67, each desire and longing the Lord puts in us in something we have to lay down every single day.

At 23 I thought the world was ending because no one had put a ring on my finger. It was right after college that I was swimming in the deep end of all things weddings because that was the age that I watched seven of my close friends walk down the aisle to their beloved. Every turn I took I ran into another wedding, and with great joy, mind you, but I was reminded that I too had a longing that had yet to be fulfilled. If there was ever a time I could have said, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” that would have been it.

Following that year, I’ve learned a lot about myself, grown a lot and matured in many ways regarding my present season, but I don’t discredit that year any more than I do this year.

When we are vulnerable, I don’t think we’re asking for someone to slam us into the pavement, rather, we need to hear, “I understand.”, “I’ve been there, too.”, “There is hope!”  “I’m so sorry you’re hurting.” and “You are not alone.” While I need people speaking truth to me every day and believing for me when I’m weary and tired, I also just want people to listen without fixing or listen without giving me their go to Jesus answer. We know God is sovereign, God is good and God has not forgotten us when life looks strangely dim, but we also need a safe place to share our longings and not be shamed for feeling alone, or misunderstood. There’s a time and place for correction and truth, but when compassion is extended, even if we don’t fully understand, that’s when ministry happens. Heaven forbid we become people who throw the first stone at those who are trying to live honest lives.

Last week I happened to have a little more alone time than usual and in some silence, I realized I had let a handful of anxiety slip into unnecessary areas of my life. I was achy and although on the outside things looked peachy, my insides were a hot mess. Later on in the week after I had the wherewithal to put my thoughts to paper (which doesn’t always happen, by the way) and I was able to make some sense of the stirrings I continually sit with. The truth is, I know I can sound like a broken record, and maybe you feel like that too, but in reality, no amount of freedom, success, friends, right words, traveling, passions, sleeping in (all of the perks of singleness) can suppress a deep longing that gets left untouched. (This is true of any deep longing in any season of life.) That list of pros are things I pursue and do all the time, but it doesn’t fill the void where some true longings lay dormant. This I do know, some longings are to be placed at the feet of Jesus everyday, it’s a faith journey and a trust walk that honestly gets more personal every year. This is true for every longing or dream that’s been shattered whether you’re 20 or 72. The thing of it is, when we entrust ourselves to Jesus, we don’t get to pick and choose how He develops our character to reflect Him. That’s where faith comes in. Trusting that He really does know best and do best.

But at my ripe age of 28, I’ve also learned that every longing inside of us, though we may not know it at the time, is a deeper longing for Jesus Himself. An emptiness He’s put there that can only be met by His love and mercy. When we’re dry and weary, we really want Jesus. When we’re discouraged and lonely, we really want Jesus. When we’re hungry and searching for something, anything to sustain us, we really want Jesus. A day is coming when every longing we’ve ever had will be met by Jesus Himself. That alone gives us some joyful expectation and hope.

Instead of hitting on an already bruised soul, might we extend some kindness and ministry to those that share with us so tenderly? Let us be the ones to remind them that God really does withhold no good thing, and if He is withholding something, as much confusion and pain as it brings at that time, it is ultimately for our good. We’re all deeply flawed humans just trying to get along with and love other deeply flawed humans. Kind words, tender hugs, and a chance to weep with those who weep goes a long way in a cruel and unkind world.

So to you who have an unmet longing, whether it be a husband you long to share life with, a child you long to bring into your home whether through adoption or naturally, a wound from a relationship that is still so fresh and you’re longing for the redemption of a bruised heart, a longing for a dream or passion to come true that’s laid dormant for years, a longing to do something you’ve been waiting to do, a longing to move up in your career, the longing to grieve something you’ve lost, whatever it is, to you I say:

Your longing is safe with Jesus, and please, Lord, I pray you’re longing is safe with us. You can weep for what has yet come to pass. You can be honest. You can rejoice when that thing for which you’ve prayed so long comes to fruition. You can talk about it in the here and now. You don’t have to talk about an unknown future. Sometimes the hardest question to answer when our lives are spinning is, “What’s next?” We want to know, “What’s now?” What is Jesus doing in you today in the midst of your unmet longing? Here you have permission to be honest. You have a voice.

Because Jesus cares. Jesus is holding every tear. Every unmet longing. And Jesus is working everything out for your good and for His glory. Lean into him. Do what it takes to trust him, whether that means putting yourself out there or keeping it in the secret parts between you and God. Your longings are not foreign to Him. To you and to myself I say, God is so faithful, dear sister. Take heart.

1 You, God, are my God,

    earnestly I seek you;

I thirst for you,

    my whole being longs for you,

in a dry and parched land

    where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary

    and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,

    my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,

    and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;

    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;

    I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,

    I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 I cling to you;

    your right hand upholds me.

9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;

    they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10 They will be given over to the sword

    and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God;

    all who swear by God will glory in him,

    while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Psalm 63: 1-11

 

 

9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;

    my sighing is not hidden from you.

10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,

    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,

    and my nearest kin stand far off.

12 Those who seek my life lay their snares;

    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin

    and meditate treachery all day long.

13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,

    like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

14 I have become like a man who does not hear,

    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

15 But for you, O Lord, do I wait;

    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.

16 For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,

    who boast against me when my foot slips!”

 Psalm 38:9-16