The Twinge of Jealousy

I wasn’t really thinking about much of anything as I scrolled through my Facebook feed…until I saw more vacation pictures, and I felt that familiar twinge.

It seems to come out of nowhere, but it must be simmering right under the surface because it rises up suddenly and grips me from the inside.

It’s those feelings of jealously and envy I don’t even want to admit to you. Maybe you know what I’m talking about.

But something different happened today as soon as I recognized those feelings.

I felt like God was reminding me that my road looks different than someone else’s. It may not be as pretty as the pictures I was looking at, but it is no less important.

And I felt myself relax.

I hadn’t noticed when my body tensed up, but jealousy and envy will do that to us. It takes control of our senses and tries to tell us what we feel is true. Honestly, jealously and envy are such bullies. {Tweet this}

When I felt God’s reminder wash over me though, I felt peace. My body relaxed as the tension drained, and thankfulness replaced discontentment.

It didn’t used to happen this quickly for me. I would stew in thoughts of comparison. I would continue to scroll through others’ perfect-looking pictures and think about it for hours, making myself feel even worse. But, I’ve learned that’s not the way I want to live.

God is teaching me that my calling is unique. He has me in a place that is just where I’m supposed to be right now.

It may not be what I had planned, but I know now that where He has me is where I want to be, because any other place would be my will, not His.

God’s plans are not always easy, but they are better than I imagined. Even when the road is rocky and difficult to walk, He has good things along the way that only He could have planned.

God’s plans for each of us are different. They may look similar and we may walk along the same path for a while, but God’s plans are always unique. 

Our life stories will never be identical because He creates each of us with an identity all our own. {Tweet this}

Still, social media has a way of making us forget this. So, how can we keep from falling into this trap of comparison and jealously over and over?

Spend time in prayer and God’s Word.

Access to social media is so easy, but it can’t be the only place we spend our time. I believe that as I’ve grown in my faith journey, I’ve learned to sense God’s presence with me. As I pray and read His Word, I don’t wonder if He’s with me. I know He’s with me.

God’s presence in our lives has to be greater than the presence of social media in our lives. {Tweet this}

I’m not anti-social-media. It has its good points, but like anything, it also has its bad points. If it’s where we spend most of our time, it gets harder to differentiate between the two.

Change your perspective.

How we look at our circumstances makes a difference. If all we can see are the difficulties and what we don’t have, we end up living with a negative perspective of everything. 

But, if we can make a conscious effort to look for God’s blessings in the midst of trials, we will begin to see the good, despite the bad. We will still see the dark storm clouds and our trying circumstances, but it won’t be the only things we see.

Take a break from social media.

I started to learn this lesson a few years ago when there was a conference I would have liked to attend. I scrolled through the conference pictures and comments most of the weekend, even though my feelings of jealously and envy were growing quickly and affecting my mood and attitude around my family. 

I finally wondered Why am I doing this to myself?

What I want to focus on is those around me and the life God has blessed me with, and not let pictures of someone else’s opportunities ruin it.

That means sometimes it’s necessary to take a break from social media. Avoiding the constant updates on what everyone else is doing keeps me from becoming jealous and irritable, and makes me a more pleasant person to be around. Something I’m sure my family appreciates.

What’s been your experience? Do you struggle with jealousy and envy with social media?

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with: Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Faith on Fire, #GraceMoments, Grace & Truth, #HeartEncouragement, Faith Filled Friday, #DreamTogether, #MomentsofHope, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday, #LivefreeThursday, #ChasingCommunity

When God Answers with an Oxygen Mask

Have you ever wondered why you can see God’s hand in some areas of your life, but not so much in others? Maybe like me, you’ve even asked Him.

It’s not that you’re not thankful, you just want to know why.

That was a conversation I had with God a few months ago.

The Back Story...

The second half of 2016 was rough. After multiple large, unexpected expenses, loss of my part-time job when my position was eliminated, and ongoing family medical concerns, I was tired. I knew God was walking with me. I’d seen His work along the way. But, still, I was worn out.

As January 2017 began, the one-after-another extra expenses had slowed down. There were still bills to be caught up on, but I began to see some new employment opportunities.

I saw God at work in obvious ways in several areas of my life and watching His plan unfold re-energized my hope.

There was still one area, though, where there was no visible change—my loved one’s medical concerns. Every time I tried to move forward to make something happen, I felt like I hit a brick wall. My efforts went nowhere and I wondered if I was supposed to stop trying.

As I showered and dressed one morning, I had one of my heart-to-heart talks with God. I thanked Him for the opportunities He was presenting—I knew without a doubt He was at work. And in the next breath, I asked why. Why was He helping me and not my loved one? 

Why was I feeling hopeful in one area and hopeless in another?

I knew that He hadn’t chosen sides and that His help wasn’t limited to me, but sometimes what we know and feel don’t work together. {Tweet this}

I'm so excited to be a featured guest at Candidly Christian today! Please join me there to continue reading...When God Answers with an Oxygen Mask!

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo Credit: Candidly Christian]

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, Moments of Hope, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, From Messes to Messages, Porch Stories, Writer Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, #ChasingCommunity, Grace Moments, Faith on Fire, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Grace & Truth

God’s Word Brings Light

I wasn’t going to write another post about Scripture journaling, but then I opened my Bible this morning to this verse. 

Every word you give me is a miracle word—how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Psalm 119:129-130 MSG (bold mine) 

And how could I not write about it? First in my journal, and then here to share.

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of women about journaling.

I said, “When we don’t make time to be with God in His Word, we miss His comfort, wisdom, strength, understanding, and rest. We can’t understand Scripture if we don’t spend time reading it, but it is God who enables us to understand His Word.”

God’s Word provides hope, comfort, perspective, guidance, and instruction. His Word gives us Light. The Light to guide our way.

If we don’t read or hear Scripture, we won’t know what it can do for us…but without God, we can’t understand the full meaning.

God gives discernment and enables ordinary people like you and me to comprehend His Word.

God gives us the ability to feel His Word—and let it change our hearts.

Understanding doesn’t come all at one time. His Word is too great for us to ever completely understand it as He does. He knows how much we can take in each time we meet with Him.

He may lead us to a new verse, or to the same verse over and over, revealing a new layer of depth each time.

This morning, I opened to Psalm 119, and He led me to the above verses and to verse 125. 

I’m your servant—help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions. Psalm 119:125 MSG 

Each time He leads us to a particular verse, He’s speaking to us. It may be clear at the time why He led us there, like an a-ha moment. Other times, it’s only the beginning, and He will continue to reveal meaning in His time and His way. 

Dear Lord, every Word you give us brings Light into our lives. Light to guide us. Light to give us hope and perspective in this world we live in. You’ve called us, ordinary people, to be Your servants. Please show us what that means and how to live that out for Your glory and Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: Give Me Grace, Moments of Hope, #DreamTogether Linkup, Grace & Truth, #SmallWonder, #RaRaLinkup, Coffee for Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday, #FreshMarketFriday, Faith Filled Friday, Grace & Truth, #HeartEncouragement

Recommended Updates

Last week, I had two computers in my office, neither of which I could work on. One wouldn’t let me log on. The other with a program that was causing problems.

I didn’t want to bother someone in IT…meaning, I didn’t want to wait for someone to come help me. So, I was determined to get one or both going myself.

While I uninstalled and reinstalled the program on one, I downloaded updates to the other. Enough updates that I let it run all day. And the next day.

Meanwhile, the reinstalled program was still doing its own thing. I wondered if it was time for a newer version. And that’s when I saw the little notice about updates.

Apparently, updates are something I don’t think about often enough. Or at all.

By the end of the week, I was patting myself on the back for getting everything working again. Thanks to the recommended updates.

Updates that fix the glitches and get everything back on track.

And I realized that computer updates aren’t the only ones I forget about.

I’ve been stressed out and stretched thin for months, and I tend to forget about my connection with God.

I ask Him for help. A lot. Like all day long. But really connecting? Not so much lately.

Like computers need updates, I need re-fueling. I need the connection with God to get me back on track. To fix the glitches that have gotten me out of sorts.

While I have been praying, it’s often one sided. I do a lot of talking, but not so much listening.

While the computer updates ran, the screen reminded me to not turn off the computer. It sat quietly while it was resupplied with what it needed.

I think I need that. To sit quietly, clear my mind, and just listen. To let Him renew me. To get reconnected with Him. To receive His recommended updates.

How about you? Do you struggle with a weak connection to the One who renews?

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: FreeImages.com]

Linking up with: Coffee for Your Heart, #TellHisStory, Five Minute Friday

Treading Water

I feel like I’ve been treading water in my everyday life for too long.

Maybe you know the feeling of trying to keep your head above everything coming at you and not breathing too deeply on a calm day because you know it won’t be for long.

Thinking about it makes me nervous because I’m not a strong swimmer. And I’m worse at treading water. For real.

In fact, *confession alert* I cheated in high school on my treading water test in swim class. I know, how can you cheat on that, right? But I did.

I stayed near the wall…as in touching distance and kept my eyes locked on the teacher. I kept moving my legs and my left arm while the fingers on my right hand reached out and kept me steady at the wall. She was busy talking with someone, but every time she glanced over at me, my right arm was moving…until she looked away again.

At the time, I’m sure I thought I fooled her, and maybe I did. Or maybe not. Perhaps she knew all along and just didn’t care…or figured it was better than watching me go under.

You’d think someone else would have noticed, but it was a small class and we kind of watched out for each other. Now that I think about it, maybe they were helping me by distracting her.

I don’t remember everything, but I know I didn’t want someone jumping in to “save” me. Again. (Gulp in a little bit of water and start to flounder slightly, and people panic. Don’t ask me how I know.)

So, I stayed close to the wall and survived the dreaded test.

For two years, I’ve been remembering this story as life comes at me in waves. If I couldn’t pass on my own then, how can I possibly do it now? If I think about it for too long, I feel like I can’t breathe…just like when I go too far into the deep end of the pool.

But, lately I’ve been wondering if it’s not me remembering it, but rather God reminding me—and showing me that with Him, it’s different.

Back then, I cheated by touching the wall.

Now, God says, “Here, hold on to the wall.”

God knows how easily I grow tired and weary. He provides the wall to steady myself so I can take a breath. When I float out too far, He guides me back and places my hand back on the wall.

Back then, I thought the teacher didn’t care. 

Now, I know God cares. All. The. Time.

He knows when I’m calmly leaning on the wall for balance, when I’m clinging on for dear life, and when I’ve lost my grip and started drifting away. He is always watching and knows when I need to be lifted up. {Tweet this} (And unlike in high school, it’s never embarrassing to be saved by God.)

Back then, I had friends looking out for me. 

Now, I still have people watching out for me…friends and family God places in my life for reasons that fall into His plans for me and for them.

I’m still not a strong swimmer and I still prefer not to hang out at the pool, even with a lifeguard.

But, with God it’s different. With God, I can take a breath and hang on to the wall for as long as I want. 

And if I let go, I know He’s watching because He is the best Lifeguard a girl can have.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression, 

you will not be burned up; 

the flames will not consume you.

Love, 

God

In Christ,

Laura  

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2 NLT

Linking up with: Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers, Give Me Grace, Sharing His Beauty, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, #SmallWonder, Playdates with God, Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday

Find Him

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community with Kate Motaung this weekend…5 minutes, no rewriting, and a one word prompt…

Find

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

But if from there...

From my lousy day, from my sinful behavior, from where I've wandered from God and gotten lost.

...you seek the Lord your God,...

Because we've never strayed so far that we can't cry out to Him.

...you will find Him...

And He promises that He will never abandon us.

...if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

I wonder...do I? Do I look for God with all of my heart and soul? On those days when I can't feel His presence, could it be because I'm not totally focused on Him? Not with all of my heart and soul?

Lord, You know my days are scattered and hectic. I struggle to quiet my mind and settle my soul, and when I search for You, I confess it's in the midst of my to-do list. Father, please calm my spirit and help me to focus solely on You, so that I can truly seek You with all of my heart and soul. And when I do, I know that I will find You.

***

Congratulations to the winner of the signed copy of Fulfilled by Danise Jurado and the Fulfilled bag…­­­Angie!

***

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers, Give Me Grace

When Renew Means to Wait

When I think of the word renew, I think of something I can do. I can renew a library book or marriage vows. Renew means to take action—to make like new, or to begin again.

Except when renew means to wait.

My word for this year is renew. God chose it for me and when He shared it with me, I knew it meant He would be the One to do the renewing.

It is totally in God's character to bring renewal to His children and in the details of our lives. However, it's not so much in my character to wait...but I'm learning.

When God says He will renew, I believe He means it. It also means He will decide what He makes new, when, and how. He will make it happen—His way and in His time.

It means I must wait. Patiently.

To continue reading, please join me at One Word 365 where I'm pleased to be guest posting today.

I wonder, does God have you in a place of waiting right now? 

In Christ,
Laura

Linking up with Blessing Counters, The Weekend Brew, Give Me Grace, Grace & Truth, Sharing His Beauty, Playdates with God, #RaRaLinkup, #SmallWonder, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, #TellHisStory, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday

Meet Me

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community with Kate Motaung this weekend…5 minutes, no rewriting, and a one word prompt…

Meet

Meet Me in the morning when you awake, before your feet even touch the floor.

Meet Me throughout the day in your thoughts, conversations, decisions, and actions.

Meet Me in the evening as you begin to wind down.

Come to Me—and I will Meet you right where you are. Always.

Love, God

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Five Minute Friday, The Weekend Brew, Sunday Stillness

I Am Undone - A Conversation with God

Me: God? Are You here?

God: I AM.

Me: I feel completely undone.

God: I know.

Me: I been trying so hard, but it doesn't seem to matter.

God: What you do does matter.

Me: But no one notices.

God: I notice.

Me: It feels like everything is falling apart.

God: You don't have to try so hard. You won't be able to be everything for everyone.

Me: I don't know when to keep trying and when to let go.

God: Right now, you need to let go. It's true—you are coming apart under the weight you've been carrying.

Me: What happens now? I'm always so tired.

God: Rest and lean into Me. In time, I will renew you, and your energy. You will emerge stronger...spiritually and emotionally.

Me: What about everything I've been trying to take care of?

God: I've got it. I will bring good from this...I promise.

Me: (whispering) Thank you, Lord.

God: Rest now. You are in My shelter.

Lord, thank You for bringing us into Your shelter whenever we need it. And especially when You know we need it. Thank You for picking up the pieces when we become undone under the weight and pressures of living in this world. 

Please continue to draw us to You, reminding us that we can't be everything to everyone. May our dependence on ourselves never become more important to us than our dependence on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you feel yourself coming undone in your daily life, lean into the Lord. Let Him shelter and renew you...in His way and His time.

In Christ,

Laura  

Photo credit: K. Rath 2014

Linking up with #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkup, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Give Me Grace, Testimony Tuesday, Playdates with God, #SmallWonder, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Grace & Truth, The Weekend Brew, Faith 'N Friends

God Renews

Renew is my One Word for 2015. I didn't choose it. God chose it for me.

I didn't even hear Him at first, even though I'd been asking Him what my word would be. Thankfully, He is patient and will keep repeating Himself.

It was during a worship service between Christmas and New Year's when I finally realized Renew wasn't just a word that kept coming to mind. It was MY word for the new year.

In that moment of realization, I felt uplifted. Renew sounded hopeful and full of possibilities.

I'm excited to be sharing with the One Word 365 community today. I hope you'll join me there to continue reading my story.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, #RaRaLinkup, Grace & Truth, #GiveMeGrace, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Testimony Tuesday, Mondays @ Soul Survival, #SmallWonder, Playdates with God, Everyday Jesus, Faith 'N Friends, Sunday Stillness

Restless for God

A few days ago, I was really restless. All afternoon, I moved from thing to thing—doing chores, making dinner and cleaning up, baking cookies, and writing a blog post. I got quite a bit accomplished, but something was still off.

It was after dinner when I figured it out…I hadn’t spent time with God all day.

I thought I had—I spent all morning going through Scripture. But…as part of the church ministry staff where I work, that time in Scripture was for a project I was working on, not a personal Bible study.

My morning had been about God, but not spent with God.

Once home, my afternoon was quiet and I thought about sitting down for some quiet time with Him…but I was antsy. So antsy I wouldn’t be able to sit still. That’s what I told myself. So, I mopped the kitchen floor instead.

After dinner, I baked cookies because I couldn’t imagine sitting still to watch TV with my family. I thought about how I didn’t try to sit still that afternoon and talk to God. And I wrote about it.

Then…I asked my daughter to read what I wrote. I value her opinion and ask her to read most of what I write before it goes online.

In her gentle, I-don’t-want-to-hurt-mom’s-feelings way, she suggested I let it sit and see what I thought of it in the morning. I don’t remember her ever suggesting that before, so I started to wonder what had gone wrong.

That’s when it all started to make sense—my morning was about God, but not with Him…I mopped instead of spending time with Him…and then I wrote about it—but still hadn’t had a conversation with Him.

God had been trying to get my attention, but I’d been too focused on my restlessness. It didn’t even occur to me that I was restless for Him.

That post I wrote never made it online. I haven’t even reread it yet. But I thanked my daughter the next day for her honesty. And I thanked God for pursuing me.

I did enjoy the warm cookies that night and my clean kitchen floor, but more importantly, I relearned a lesson that easily gets forgotten…

Being about God is not the same as being with God.

It’s an easy place for the lines to get blurred, especially when you write about faith—both personally and at work. I need the reminder to pay attention and surrender to the nudges from God.

Because He knows, before I do, when I’m restless for Him.

In Christ,

Laura  

Thank you Arabah Joy!

Photo credit: Stock photo:Cookies 3

Linking up with The High Calling, Blessing Counters, Everyday Jesus, #TellHisStory, Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace and Truth, Beloved Brews, Coffee for Your Heart, Faith Filled Friday, Spiritual Sundays, Faith 'N Friends, The Weekend Brew, Sunday Stillness, #GiveMeGrace, #RaRaLinkup

Get to Know Me – A Conversation with God

Photo credit: K. Rath 2015

Me: (closing my Bible) God, I keep trying to read Your Word…but I just don’t understand it all.

God: I don’t expect you to understand it all.

Me: Shouldn’t I get some of it? If I’m reading it, then I should be learning something.

God: You are learning something.

Me: I don’t feel like it. I just feel frustrated.

God: You’re putting too much pressure on yourself.

Me: What do you mean?

God: What were you thinking when you opened your Bible today?

Me: Honestly?

God: Of course.

Me: I was rushed and knew I didn’t have a lot of time. I wanted to read, but felt frustrated because I wasn’t focused and didn’t know what I was reading.

God: And yesterday?

Me: It was different. I wasn’t in a hurry. I still didn’t understand what I was reading, but I felt calm. I felt like I was spending time with You even though we weren’t having a conversation, like we are now.

God: And you didn’t hesitate to talk to Me today. Why?

Me: I feel more comfortable now.

God: I want you to open your Bible—read and explore My Word—and spend time with Me. You won’t be able to make sense of everything you read. And I’m not asking you to try so hard. I will meet you where you are, and as I feel you’re ready, I’ll open the Scriptures to you. Little by little, you’ll find wisdom and understanding as you’ve never known before.

Me: So, even when I don’t know what the verses mean, I’m still spending time with You.

God: Yes. When you first meet someone, do you believe everything they tell you is true?

Me: Not always.

God: Do you feel comfortable and tell them everything you’re thinking and feeling?

Me: No, I have to trust them first.

God: Would you know that person’s voice if you didn’t see them speaking to you?

Me: No, not until I really knew them.

God: Like you’re getting to know Me now.

Me: (lightbulb moment) So, I’m learning even when I can’t explain it, and I’m getting to know you better every time I spend time with You.

God: That’s right.

Me: And You’re not waiting for me to figure it all out—You’re meeting me here…right where I am…everyday?

God: Yes. I AM.

Me: (big smile) Thanks God.

Lord, thank you for meeting us where we are…for speaking to us individually in ways You know we’ll hear…and for continuing to reveal who You are to us. Thank You for not expecting us to figure it out all on our own, but instead, giving us wisdom and understanding as You know we’re ready. Please continue to draw us closer to You every single day, and let us never lose the desire to spend time with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Keep reading, keep searching, keep exploring…He will meet you where you are.

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, #TellHisStory, Give Me Grace, Playdates with God, #SmallWonder, Grace & Truth, Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Faith 'N Friends, Spiritual Sundays, The Weekend Brew, #RaRaLinkup

I Want to Be Like Mary

Are you familiar with the story in John 11 when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead?

I used to summarize it this way: Jesus receives word that his friend Lazarus is very sick. Lazarus’ sisters want Jesus to come to see him, but Jesus waits two more days before heading their way. When He finally arrives, Lazarus has been dead for days and his sisters are distraught. But Jesus, knowing the plan all along, brings Lazarus back to life…all for the glory of God.

Obviously, that’s a crude, in-a-nutshell, summary of the foreshadowing of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

But yesterday morning, I realized there’s so much more to the story.

So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” John 11:5-7 NLT

Although Jesus loved them, He allowed them to walk through this time of grief and loss.

Not because He wanted to be mean, but because there was a purpose.

Although Jesus loves us, He allows us to walk through particular storms in life.

“Because there’s a purpose” is hard to swallow much of the time, especially if you are the one living in pain, sorrow, depression, loneliness, or some other trial. Believe me, I know.

Martha and Mary wouldn’t fully see the purpose until they saw Lazarus walk out of the tomb.

Like them, whatever the purpose may be in our trials often can’t be seen until we’ve made it to the other side. And sometimes, we may never see it if God was working it to reach someone else.

______

I particularly wonder about Mary and what she was thinking and feeling. Jesus was a close friend. She was drawn to Him and had sat at His feet listening and learning from Him when women weren’t encouraged to do that. (Luke 10:38-42) In her grief and deep loss at her brother’s death, I wonder if she might also have felt abandoned, not knowing why Jesus hadn’t come.

Perhaps she even asked the same question I’ve asked before…Where are you, Jesus?!? Why aren’t you here with me?

…she [Martha] went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:28-29, 32 ESV

Mary was distraught and desperate to see Jesus. I can relate—I’ve been there. You too?

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. John 11:33-35 ESV

Jesus wept.

Jesus, who allowed Lazarus’ family to go through the grief of his death, was greatly troubled. Having compassion for His friends and the pain they felt, feeling angry at the state of sin in the world, and knowing the joy that was to come…Jesus was deeply moved—to the point of tears. Jesus wept.

Jesus never left Mary in her sorrow. He was right there with her—just as He is with us in our sorrow and struggles.

The sin in the world today, compassion for our suffering, and knowing the joy to come…Jesus is moved and troubled, maybe still to the point of tears.

Mary and Martha had to walk through the grief before they could they see the resurrection of Lazarus.

They had to walk through the storm to see the miracle.

And we do too. We can’t get to the mountaintop without walking through the valley.

______

The Book of John doesn’t describe the reactions when Lazarus walked out of the tomb after being dead for four days. We can only imagine the overwhelming awe and emotion they must have felt.

For Mary, who had sat at the feet of Jesus, her faith in Him had to have grown to level deeper than she could have dreamed—to a level deeper than she could explain to anyone else.

I want to be like Mary.

I want to sit at the feet of Jesus studying His Word.

I want unshakable trust in Him, even when I can’t see or hear Him, because I know He’s always with me. 

I want to know that as I walk through the hardest times of my life, He walks with me…and at the other side He’ll show me the miracle.

I want to be like Mary.

In Christ,

Laura 

Thank you Holly!

[Photo credit 1: Stock photo: Dolmen / Photo credit 2: Stock photo: rain / Photo credit 3: Stock photo: Sad & Lonely]

Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith ‘N Friends, Blessing Counters, Grace & Truth, The Weekend Brew, Faith Filled Friday, Give Me Grace, Playdates with God, Sharing His Beauty, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart