Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wednesday in the Word



It's all a blur..
 
Isaiah 35

Joy of the Redeemed

1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.

7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and those the LORD has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

* * * * * * * * *

Things are a little unclear for me lately. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing. Things are quiet...the Lord is quiet...yet I know He's here. It's almost as if we're just sort of sitting together, maybe in rocking chairs on a porch overlooking a beautiful valley...resting...pondering. Every once in a while, in my imagination, I'll glance over at Him like, "Well? What's next?". And it's OK. He knows I am impatient. In reply He gives me that look that my Papa used to give...a knowing smile, a twinkle in His eye, a slight nod of His head...and I know that all is well...even if quiet.

It feels weird to not be doing anything...I feel guilty. And then I have to remind myself that guilt is not of God. So I stop feeling guilty...eventually. And I also have to remind myself that I am doing things...I'm cooking and cleaning and washing and taking care of this family of mine.

I'm also taking care of my self...which is new.

Without meaning to really I started to do yoga a few times a week. Just in my own home...on TV or with a borrowed DVD from the library. I can't do all the moves yet...but I do what I can and feel good that I'm at least doing something. DO. There it is again...

I am learning about better foods...better things to put in my body. It's a slow process...that works for me. Anything too drastic and I won't follow through. Goals...not resolutions. If nothing else, I've learned that about myself over the years. Take it slow...and it's more likely to take root inside of me.

Quiet. It's unsettling. But it's not a bad thing. And I have to remember that just because nothing seems to be happening on the outside...things are taking place on the inside. Like a seed in the winter. On the outside...it's just a little seed. But on the inside? Amazing things are taking place...and are just waiting for the right season to bloom.


"You might be surprised....if you get quiet you just might hear God."
- Joyce Meyer

9 comments:

You Can Call Me Jane said...

I just love the passage you chose for today...those words always get me pumped up. My heart starts racing when I think about how wonderful and powerful our God is!

Magnolia Handspun said...

...the hardest thing is just to "be".

But from reading your words today...there are quite a few things going on Michelle.
It is wonderful that you take care of yourself and like you said, you're planting a seed...it takes a little time to grow.

Brian, Erin, Caleb, and Connor said...

What beautiful reflections. You remind me of a verse that God has been impressing upon me over the past few months: "Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul..." Psalm 131:2-3. In order to hear God, I need to be calm and quiet. Thank you for sharing what the Lord is doing in your heart. ♥

Hullabaloo Homestead said...

I feel like right now a lot of people feel a similar way as you described here. There is a pause, a silence, and maybe it is really time for those who hear that to focus on what lay in that silence. It isn't about rushing around or covering it up, but instead about focusing, like you said on your self and what lies in your heart. Those things take time to clarify. How wonderful you have been given that time.

:)Lisa

Anonymous said...

Girl I am so blessed when I read your blog, and just let you know that this bible study is lining up with what you are talking about! See you Monday!

Irvina said...

And I guess it would help to let you know that it is me, irvina lol

Nancy said...

being quiet is good. love that joyce meyer quote. i like her. i try to catch her on tv at 7am before i leave for the day. sounds to me like there's lots going on with you...

christina said...

for a moment i sat on that porch along side of you and Father God. quietly of course. and i thank you kindly, for allowing me to do that today.
love
love

Erin Wallace said...

I love Isaiah, and I needed this passage. I, too am going through something similar so your words felt like they were just for me. Funny how God gives us what we need when we need it.