Refreshing

I just found this blog from October and never finished it...as I was reading it was only fitting I finish it today...I believe I couldn't share this when I wrote it mainly because I went through a trying time and couldn't share it with the world just yet. It would have spread negative energy through the screen to all who read it, but I come in peace today overwhelmed by God and eveything he has done. He is a refreshing in my life. I feel alive and well, fed and cared for. In everything I've gone through he was there encouraging me the entire way. I've been grasping for ways even now to be refreshed and I have to sit back and remember times where he knew exactly where I was and how desolate I felt and before I could faint...or give up he refreshed me. Like a friend of mind said yesterday she saw God breathe life into her spirit and that is how I feel. I read a scripture today that really touched me. Psalm 142:3--WHEN MY SPIRIT WAS OVERWHELMED WITHIN ME, THEN THOU KNEWEST MY PATH. IN THE WAY WHEREIN I WALKED HAVE THEY PRIVILY LAID A SNARE FOR ME. The first part struck me! In a time like now where I feel overwhelmed the God of heaven and earth KNOWS!!!! I'm not just stuggling through, not just barely making it but I'm overcoming because it is in the knowledge of ALMIGHTY GOD! He already has a plan of protection in mind! Don't lose heart...be of good courage, in the end you will reap if you faint not! Trust in the Lord and lean not to your own undestanding. He IS and will ALWAYS be our refreshing!!!!

Covered

As I was ironing my clothes this morning I instantly became overwhelmed. A close friend of mine sent me a text the other day who lives about 16 hours away from me now and has for the past 6 years. I knew something was wrong. She never got to it since she was not able to talk then, but I told her I'd be praying for her. She just got married and it was such a blessing that I could be there. Her husband seems to really be an awesome strong man of God who has fought for this woman he has. You see this friend had really been through the fire and had really wandered far from God at different points in her life but she has experienced God's mercy in so many ways. At her wedding I cried and cried and cried because she had come a long way. From one who may have had on spiritual garments that were spotted and torn she wore white this day and I recognized how merciful God really was. How He takes the messes we have made out of our lives and He makes us SO beautiful even in the ugly stages. As I ironed my clothes I uttered a simple prayer for her and what ever is going on. When I started thinking of the  things I know she had done on her journey I thanked Jesus for his mercy. The mercy on her life is the greatest I have experienced as one just standing on the side reaching for her the whole time. This friend has taught me the power of intercession when I didn't know it. Through her experience I experienced what it feels like when God reaches for us continually but we don't reach back. We are 24 and 23 now if I'm correct which makes 7 years since we met at 16 and 17. How many people wander off the path God has laid and make it back? He covers us even in the mess. His mercy is new every morning. it never runs out...I thank God for showing me the extent of his mercy.

Desire

The new year brings loads of new commitments and New Years Resolutions. I never call mine that...I don't think I call mine anything but if I had to pick something today I would say that I "purposed" in my heart a couple of things this year. A purpose is a reason why something exists or an intended or desired result. Kierra "Kiki" Sheard has a song that has resignated in my soul the past few weeks called "Desire" in the beginnning she asks the question. " Is God your desire?" As I've replayed that song multiple times, hummed it and sang it something clicked within me. We can desire something all day long, but what are we doing to fufill that desire? I desired consistency in my spiritual walk. In recent months I have not back slid or done anything wrong, but I did something we all do at times. I made it about the work that had to be done and not solely about God. I went on a couple of fasts, but I didn't spend enough time in prayer. The focus was all wrong. I denied myself certain foods but not certain pleasures like my music and hanging with friends and filling my time with other things. I realized that discipline spiritually is crucial. Especially when God has something for you to do. I want to challenge you to purpose something in your heart and come up with a plan. A desire is nothing without a way to bring it to pass.