Year End Note to Self ~ #2

Dear Courageous Woman,

You are filled with such hope for the new year, and as you carry it into the year, remember to carry it throughout the year---you will need hope. Keep it always before you. Keep it coursing through you. Hard days are to be expected ahead (as every year has its share), but don't stay too long down and out. Let pain happen---as you have well learned from the past---but keep hoping, keep knowing who loves you and how much, and that there are a great many plans ahead. So yes, you will know pain, but be neither crushed nor dismayed. There is no reason to fear. NONE.

Instead, keep doing what you know will bring you life: God's Word will teach you, surprise you, comfort you, sustain you. Pay special attention to the character of God. Let who He is inform who you are.

Be there for your friends. They will be there for you in the sweetest of ways.

Travel when you can. Get out a little more, and maybe save a little more, too. Remember to eat---sometimes you are too much in your head and you forget. Remember abundance!  Choose joy! Even on hard days, let gratitude once again swell in the lack, because in all truth, you lack no good thing.

Let your Creator keep shaping you---you truly are a diamond.

Finally, be patient. I know you're probably tired of hearing that, but there is so much wisdom and grace in patience. Trust your future self. ;)

Year End Note to Self #1:
http://victoriabailey.blogspot.com/2015/12/year-end-note-to-self.html

Love Can Take This On

5 August 2016

I met with Him this morning.  We plopped our tushes into the cool sand and looked out as the waves rolled in.  The emanation of His earnest love felt as palpable as the morning sea mist, rising up to kiss my skin and heal all the places.  He knew last night's burden, and He cut straight to the heart of it: "Come to me, first."

He turned His face toward mine.  "I died to make it possible for you to come to me, without shame, and without blemish.  Complain to ME, first.  I'll take the brunt of it—the anger, the hurt that you carry.  And once done, Holy Spirit is here to counsel you through it."

The great Comforter sidled up next to me, bringing a touch of His warmth.

He continued, "You know, I died for them, too.  I died to make a way for them to come to me.  But they haven't chosen to come to me.  So you've had to take the brunt of it—and for that I'm so sorry.  Remember that it hurts me, too."

He paused to reflect for just one moment, and I thought I saw a flicker of pain sweep across His kind face.  "Let me take this for you.  I'll take mine and I'll take yours.  I'll hurt for us both."

This is Love that can take this on—He took on all the pain in the world.  I don't have to work myself weary by throwing punches.

We sat there silently together for another minute as the mercy set in.

He added, "Do you know you can do more with the help of the Holy Spirit than even I did? Do you really know it?"

I still can't grasp what this means, but I believe Him.

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God... But you, O God, you do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand... You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry.

Psalm 10:4, 14, 17  NIV

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.     Psalm 9:9-10  NIV

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.     Psalm 73:21-24  NIV

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows... For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:4a  NIV

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.     Psalm 68:19  NIV

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me.     Psalm 16:7a  NIV