Persevering

Gosh, Lord, You do the most amazing things “in a flash”.  No, my headache is not gone.  No, our house has not sold.  Yes, You have given me some relief from the aches and pain from my fibromyalgia.  Using a simple OTC medicine, You have given me some relief.  Thank You, Lord.  One more way You show me that You know what I am going through and will strengthen, help and uphold me by Your righteous right hand.  Praise, honor and glory to You alone, my Abba Father.  

Still waiting on Your other deliverances.  They are coming... and I am waiting.... by Your grace.  

 “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber;  indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life;  the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  Psalm 121

It Feels Funny

It feels funny, Lord.  Today was supposed to be my appointment with the neurologist at Duke.  I was so hoping to get an answer to my health problem, but You had a better plan.  Eight and a half weeks to go until my appointment with Dr. Adkins.  You are in control...

What mercy You just showed me on the news.  Snow and rain all the way from Alabama to North Carolina right now.  Postponing my appointment with Duke was simply Your way of protecting us from having to travel in all that treacherous weather.  You amaze me...  Again You have ordered my steps... like You always do.  You are mightily glorified in it all... just like I want it.  Thank You, Lord.  You humble me more and more throughout this journey called Life.  Praise, honor and glory to You, Abba Father.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord..."  Psalm 37:23

"He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth."  Psalm 72:8

A Good Year

Well, Lord, You did it again.  I heard just what You wanted me to hear when I listened to a Beth Moore live streaming message the other day.  Her message centered around 2013 being a good year in spite of what may go on during this year.  The perfect message for me in light of my life and health.  As I listened to Beth, I knew that this message was Your encouragement to me so that I might not give in to discouragement and despair.  Once again I felt You saying to me... I will never leave you nor forsake you.  You are so merciful toward me, Abba Father.  Thank You for loving me and caring for me in such intimate ways.  You are God and there is no other... praise You.

"You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance."  Psalm 65:11

"Praise The Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits-- Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion". Psalm 103:2-4 

Lessons In Trust

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.” Psalm 37:5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” John 14:1

“However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Before You gave me these scriptures for my 2013, I knew, Lord.  I knew that 2013 is going to be a year of learning to trust You far beyond anything I have known so far.  This will be a year that, no matter what happens, I will be given the grace to trust You.  I will be given the strength, stamina, mercy, peace and grace to walk through this year in Your victory.  For the most part, Lord, I can only imagine what 2013 holds for me and the ones I love.  The changes that are coming will be both earth-shattering and larger-than-life.  They will bring change that I never dreamed would be.  In the midst of it all, Lord, You will call me to simply trust You as You do what must be done for Your greatest glory.  

So far, Lord, I am somewhat numb to all of this, but I know that You will hold me close, walk with me for every step of the journey, and bring about changes that I could never have imagined in my wildest imagination.  It will be a good year, Lord, despite it all, for You are good and You work all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.  That includes me.  I feel like You are saying to me “Hang on, Carolyn.  The ride will be rough but worth it.  We’ll do it together.  I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.  Walk with Me.  I’ll get you through it all”.  How can I not follow You, Lord?  You will be closer than ever and will bring the victory.  Praise You!

My Prayer For 2013

Lord, I’ve never heard this hymn before but it is my prayer for this new year.  

“Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be 

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise, 

Another year of proving Thy Presence all the days. 

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace, 

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest. 

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love, 

Another year of training for holier work above. 

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.”

“Another Year Is Dawning” by Frances Ridley Havergal 

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy.”  Psalm 65:11-12