Perspective

Wow, today is a beautiful fall day.  I cannot get enough of them!  I'm not working right now, so there are many afternoons when I sit outside or near an open window and enjoy the wonderful fall breeze!

One afternoon I was sitting outside and reading the book of Isaiah.  It's one of my favorite books of the Bible, and I have learned so much from it the past few years.  If I were an artist I would paint a picture of this verse [And for those of you out there who are thinking, "Oh, just try it, Steph, anyone can be an artist." I'll have you know I did try, and not anyone can be an artist.]:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

Isaiah 9:2

 

 

It blows me away every time I read it. Because you know what I think of when I think of light? Hope. And darkness? Despair.  These people had lost everything - their homes, their freedom, their friends, their family.  They had nothing left, but God gave them a promise of better times to come.  Hope was coming.  And hope never disappoints.

 

I can't even imagine.  The Israelites had forsaken God - that's what had brought them to this place of utter ruin, but God still loved them and was not going to abandon them.  Light was coming.

 

When I think about the vastness of Israel's despair and the faithfulness God showed them, I can't help but think a little about my own life.  I think it's easy to generate a good deal of self-pity no matter what our lives look like.  However, the Israelites weren't allowed that self-pity, they were told to hold onto hope.

 

So, maybe I should to.

 

I can't walk very far right now or go to school or work.  Sometimes that bums me out. But I have hours in the day to spend with Jesus, just Jesus.  What reason do I have to be bummed?

 

I miss going to worship nights on Sunday.  Sometimes that bums me out.  But during those nights I had God taught me the joy of worshipping Him.  What reason do I have to be bummed? 

 

I have friends scattered over the world.  Sometimes I miss them and that bums me out.  But 

God blessed me with amazing friends who are following Him.  What reason do I have to be bummed?

I could go on and on. 

Our God is good.  He is our everlasting Friend.  Our never-ending Hope.  Walking with Him comes with ups and downs, but no matter where we are right now - Light always conquers the darkness.  So, when I'm feeling a bit of despair instead of focusing on the dark I want to look to the Light.

A Year Later

Well, who would have thought?
I was hopping around to a couple of different blogs tonight, and all of a sudden I realized something.  Something I shouldn't have forgot.

I have a blog.

I couldn't even remember the address to it.
This poor forgotten website.
But don't worry - I'm back.  And maybe this time, I'll really stick around.

I recently moved back home and am a month into recovering from foot surgery.  My life is pretty slow these days.  It has calmed down a great deal since my last posts, but God is speaking all the more.  I'm excited to share about what He is teaching me, but for now I'll leave you with this:

We are loved at the end of our rope
When we're less there is more of the Lord
In the fight for our souls we must learn to let go
And abandon who we are

We are loved when we feel all is lost
When the shadows are cast on the cross
Only then can we know the embrace of the one
Who's carried us along

We are loved when we feel most content
With who we are, nothing more nothing less
We'll inherit the earth declaring Your worth
Bring glory to Your name

- We Are Blessed by All Sons and Daughters -