Yes and Amen

I was awakened this morning, while it was still dark, by the sound of a train whistle off in the distance. Keeping my eyes closed (and hoping to go back to sleep), I could hear the train rumbling on the tracks, and my thoughts turned to all those people that lived even closer than I. How could they sleep? 

I couldn't, and eventually scuffed into the kitchen to make coffee. 

Later, as I settled into a plate of eggs over easy, in my cute little breakfast room, I opened my bible randomly to the OT. 

 
I happened upon a page that had a verse highlighted and underscored, and I'd written multiple notes in the margin. Two were just dates: 6/23/03, and 5/9/08 ~ no notations. 

Another one read "4/12/05 Took communion and worshipped. Received this word before going to take mammogram." [The doctors have been telling me for decades they have concerns.]

The big note at the bottom of the page brought a smile to my face. "5/18. Received a physical 'wave' of the Holy Spirit at RWC [Women's Conference], and heard in my heart 'never again'. On 5/8 I had a physical & am being sent to GYN to rule out cancer. It's already been ruled out! DONE!!!" 

Here's the verse that was marked up? 

Zeph. 3:14-15
Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!  The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.*
There's an asterisk on the last line of those verses with a final side note: * "Never again will you fear any harm" 

I think, and I believe, that in the middle of our night seasons, when we can't sleep and we're rumbling down the tracks of our life, the Father hears the cries of our heart that come to His ears like a train whistle. But instead of turning away and making coffee, He gently leans down and whispers to us, saying "Never again".   

Counting My Blessings

xo Susy

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, 

to the glory of God through us.  ~2 Cor. 1:20

The Lord Will Provide

It was late Fall 1999 and the world's thoughts were turning toward the new millennium.  Many were fearing Y2K and what the year 2000 would bring.  I'd come across an old devotional at the flea market, dated 1900, and the entry for January 1st seemed the perfect antidote.  

I had 5,000 bookmarks printed with the quote and put them in a holder on the checkout counter at my store.  Almost every person took one, and most had me put a copy on the top of the Christmas gifts we wrapped for them.  One pastor took 500 for his congregation.  By the time the New Year arrived, only a handful of bookmarks were left. 

~this is what it said ~

"Write deep in your heart this New Year's day this word of sublime confidence,
Jehovah-Jireh. It tells you that you can trust God always; that no promise of his ever fails; that he doeth all things well; that out of all seeming loss and destruction of human hopes he brings blessing. You have not passed this way heretofore. There will be sorrows and joys, failures and successes, this year, just as there were last year. You cannot forecast individual experiences. You cannot see a step before your feet. Yet Jehovah-jireh calls you to enter the new year with calm trust. It bids you put away all anxieties and forebodings --- "The Lord Will Provide"."

It was true then, and it's  true today 

 

Happy New Year

and May You Be Blessed Beyond Measure

xo Susy