To the Waiting One...

No matter the season of Life, we are all waiting. We wait for "the right one" to come along. We wait for a tiny bundle of Joy. We wait for resolution to come in strained marriages. We wait for doors to open. We wait for a wayward child to come home. We wait for news from a doctor. We wait for God to move. We wait for doors to shut. We wait for true confirmation. We wait for out next assignment from the Lord. We wait for earnest prayers to be answered.

Just...waiting. We sit and wait. And we hope.

---

I don't often quote longer poems or things because..well, I just don't. BUT, a few days ago, I was settled in for a good little "soul-refreshment" from my Streams in the Desert Devotional. Alongside "My Utmost for His Highest", this little blue book has fast become one of my favorite devotionals (side note, it was edited by the SAME editor as the updated "My Utmost[...]" Devotional). I was reading, not even THINKING about anything in particular, when the author shared this simple verse with his readers:

Sit still, my Children! Just sit calmly still!

Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill!

The One who loves you best, who plans your way, 

Has not forgotten your great need today!

And, IF He waits, it's sure He waits to prove

To YOU, His tender child, His heart's deep love.

Sit still, my children! Just sit calmly still!

You greatly long to know your dear Lord's will!

While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way

Corrodingly within, because of His delay---

Persuade yourself in simple FAITH to rest

That HE, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my children! Just sit calmly still!

Nor move one step, not even one, until

His way has opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!

How glad your heart, and then how swift your feet, 

Your inner being then, ah THEN, how strong!

And waiting days not counted then too long!

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! 

What higher service could you, for Him, fill?!

It's hard! ah, YES! But choicest things must cost!

For lack of losing all, how much is lost!

It's hard, it is true! But then--He gives you GRACE

To count the hardest spot the sweetest place,

~J. D. Smith

How sweet and true are these simple words. As we wade through our season of singleness, brokenness, uncertainty, or even just seeking His will for a next step in life-- "sit still, just sit calmly still". For the Lord YOUR God has not forgotten YOU. The next step, the next path, the next breakthrough in prayer, the next assignment, the next season is held securely in His hands. Believe in Him. Have Faith in His character. Continue to press forward in Prayer and earnestly seeking the face of Jesus. Praise God for what He will do. Remind your heart of all that God has done. Why would He suddenly leave you now? Remind Him (and yourself!) of His promises. He cannot lie, and in Him is found no (zilch) deceit (1 Peter 2:22). Find JOY--the kind where it is not emotion or conditional based--in what God is doing right now. Rejoice!! Sing! For in every season, He is growing us. He is stretching us. He is shaping us into soldiers of Christ, where we obey and follow--even if we may not see the point. But above all, He is giving us the beautiful opportunity to Trust in Him.

So, dear one, just sit still. Sit calmly still...and Trust.


"Faithful is He who calls you..." ~1 Thessalonians 5:24

In Him,

5 Women

Are you ready for something to blow your mind? I stayed up till 1:30 the other night, simply just mulling over what I am about to share with you. In fact, it may be a 2 part post. It may get a little wordy here, but please bear with me!

 This all began with Hannah, the mother of Samuel (Old Testament Prophet found in 1 Samuel). As I was reading her story, I noticed cross references in certain verses that I had never noticed before, leading me over to Genesis. There I found Sarah. In an obvious connection, the two were alike for they both earnestly desired for a child in their old age.

Then the wheels began spinning. Sarah. Hannah. Rachel. Rebekah. Elizabeth.

Sarah: Formerly Sari, she was the cherished wife of Abraham. After years of seeking the Lord for a child (even going so far as to encourage Abraham to take other wives), He sent messengers to Abraham to bring the news that Sarah would bear a child in her "advanced age" (Genesis 18). Sarah laughed at the impossibility, but in due time, she did conceive and bore a son named Issac (Gen. 21).

Rebekah: A beautiful wife found for Issac in an incredible, direct answer to prayer from a faithful servant (Gen. 24). She, like Sarah, was unable to conceive for many years. Her husband Issac prayed earnestly to the Lord, and "the Lord answered his prayer" and blessed the couple with twin boys named Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:21).

Rachel: Jacob won the right to marry her after working 14 years of hard labor for her father, his Uncle Laban. Rachel and her sister Leah both became Jacob's wives, but Jacob truly loved Rachel (he was tricked into marrying Leah). God saw Leah's plight, and caused her to be very fruitful, but Rachel remained barren. After struggles of jealousy and conflict, the Lord remembered Rachel and she had 2 sons: Joseph and Benjamin (Gen. 29).

Hannah: Wife to a righteous man, Hannah was also loved more than the other wives of her husband. She was advancing in years, completely grief stricken at her still empty arms. After an small misunderstanding at the Temple with Eli, the prophet prayed blessing over her. The Lord then remembered Hannah and filled her hearts desire--little Samuel was born! God gave her Samuel, and in turn, she gave Samuel to the Lord to minister before Him (1 Samuel 1)

Elizabeth: Wife to Zechariah, both man and wife were known as righteous. However, Elizabeth still lacked the blessing of hearing children's laughter in her own home. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, announcing that Elizabeth would bear a son who was the long awaited forerunner of Jesus Christ--John the Baptist (Luke 1).

5 Women.

-Each had a Righteous Husband (possessed the favor of the Lord and followed the Law)
-Each was loved dearly by their husbands
-Most experienced some sort of incredible message or dream about their child (being told they would be pregnant, having dreams about who their child would become, etc.)
-Each underwent some sort of trial, test or waiting period
-Each was remembered by God
-Each had a son that has a significant role in Scripture

So, what's really going on here? Let me ask you this first. What is more incredible and glorifying to God: a woman who bears a child, or an older woman--still following the Lord after years of testing--receiving her hearts desire and prophecies being fulfilled before her very eyes?

But get this. God did not just give them all sons. He gave them children who would play significant roles in Biblical History--a heritage!!!! This part blows my mind. Sarah bore Issac, the firstborn of the Nation God promised to Abraham, as well as becoming one of Abraham's biggest tests in Faith. Rebekah bore Esau and Jacob--Jacob, one who wrestled with God and received the name "Israel", as well as becoming the father of the 12 tribes of Israel (his sons). Rachel bore Joseph, a tribe of Israel and also the door to bring the Israelites into Egypt so God might bring them out (and establish the Old Covenant and 10 Commandments). Hannah bore Samuel, a man full of the Spirit of God, growing up to anoint King David, the house from which Jesus would arise. Elizabeth bore John the Baptist, fore-running prophet (and cousin) to Jesus the Christ...and these are just teensy descriptions of their lives.

Do you see what I mean? I get goosebumps thinking about all this. Think about it: after countless hours pouring out your heart to God (or years), He remembers you. But it was not just a "oops, I forgot about them" mentality with God-- It was a blessing that God was preparing their hearts for, as well as giving them the opportunity to trust Him.

So, where does this leave us? I asked the Lord that this morning. Know what His immediate answer was? "With Faith. It leaves you with Faith, Anna."

Friend, whether you are waiting for your own arms to be filled, for your door of ministry to open, for salvation to come to your household, for promises to be fulfilled...have Faith. Believe in the tested word of God. I don't think that these woman have similar stories for a mere coincidence. Every tear, every prayer, every heart cry is heard by the One you have placed your trust in. "These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7). Each of these women wanted what was good, yet the Lord cultivated their faith while planning to give them what was better. As we walk in humility with hearts desiring His will above all, He will remember our prayers. He is working all things for good, stretching and preparing us to be a Citizen of Heaven, as well as a greater  Glory for Himself. Don't lose heart. :)

Following Behind Jesus,
 Anna

P.s. If you have any additional thoughts or connections in each woman's story, feel free to leave me a note below! :)

Pure. Simply Pure.

One of the things I really love about God is how he speaks in completely unpredictable and seemingly "random" verses. For me, I usually get some of the most profound lessons when I read Old testament prophets OR in the really short books. For instance, Jude. When was the last time you ever heard anyone quote the book of Jude?! *See my previous post...haha* However, during our time in Canada (family vacation), God brought me across a portion of scripture that I love, but had completely forgotten about!

"Yea, at that time I will change the speech of 
the peoples to a pure speech,

that all may call on the name of the Lord, 

and serve him with one accord [...]

for I will leave in the midst of you

a people humble and lowly."
-Zephaniah 3:9, 12-

The last 2 weeks I have been yearning for a true purity of my heart--well, truthfully, a purifying of the world too, if I'm completely honest. Right now there is so much anger, fear, and sin growing at an incredible rate. It makes me long for Jesus to come and do what Zephaniah wrote down: to change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech (coming from pure hearts), and cause us to be a people of humility and serving! Even more, to have Him in our midst! :) I read these verses while in Canada, then God gave me a small glimpse into a taste of that sweet day one day while we were there. Some of us young ladies (the youngest being 19) now own Medieval dresses, through God's provision (another cool story). Even if it seems like a small thing, God provided money for dresses and the time to actually do something fun with them--like a photoshoot. :)

(L-R: Miriam, Me, Sarah, Tai and Hannah)

Though it may seem strange to some people, it was honestly one of the sweetest hours of my life. Dressing up, merely for fun, with young women who love Jesus more than anything, who seek to put others above themselves and yearn for the true innocence that comes from the Lord. It makes my heart rejoice just writing that :). Having friends who you never have to worry about crude gross jokes, foul language or even false humility...all I could think about as we were roaming around the fields was that this is exactly what Heaven will feel like. :)

Those who love Jesus with their whole hearts, 

Who have been refined by fire,

Sitting and talking about Jesus--and He will be sitting there with us!

The truly incredible thing is that God IS able to do the purifying work even now. Today. All we have to do is ask. Ask Him to wash us clean. Ask Him to forgive us. Ask Him to purify us, and give us clean hearts and a brand new Spirit. And honestly, He will. :)

In anticipation of that sweet day, 

With Great Joy

As I was spending time with the Lord, this verse jumped off the page.

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling

and to present you without blemish before the presence 
of his glorywith rejoicing, to the only God, 

our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord

be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before

all time and now and for ever."

~Jude 1:24-25~

How perfectly this description fits Jesus. He who keeps us from falling through His love and strong tender hand, and then through his blood causes us to be able to stand without stain before a Holy God. WITH rejoicing. He is perfectly able to present us without sin before His Father, completely filled with joy! Woooooow.

 In addition to that, God gave me an incredibly sweet picture. I could just see Jesus, clothed as a dashing bridegroom, leading me, dressed in a radiant white gown, up to the throne of God. He did not hesitate in presenting me, but boldly approached to introduce me to His Father. I had no fear, because perfect love casts out fear. He held my hand gently and there was such a sweet friendship between us! And we were laughing with great joy. 

"He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, 

and I will not blot his name out of the book of life;

I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels."

~Rev. 3:5~

How sweet it is to be loved by Jesus,who has paid the price, so I might be purified into His beloved Bride and live with Him in joyful peace for all of eternity. Praise God!

Ready and Waiting, 

Anna

Image source: Google

Thoughts from the Berry Patch

You never know what will happen when you go berry picking.

As we were picking berries yesterday, God gave me an interesting thought. Berry picking is like our walk with the Lord. We labor in the fields, picking fruit in its due season. Despite any of our doubting thoughts of being effective, we continue to work. Yet, as I was standing over a seemingly well picked-over bush, I noticed one dark berry close to the ground, so I bent down to get it. As I was kneeling, I happened to glance up at the (big) bush from the ground and there were a TON of ripe, giant berry clusters underneath the bush.

This lead me to another thought--our walks with God are completely changed when we have the right perspective. If we only stand continuously, we can sometimes get frustrated at the lack of fruit we pick or feel that we are not being "effective enough". Yet, it's when we kneel AND sit at Jesus' feet, it's then we see the handiwork of God. From our humble view of looking up, we can more easily see the hand of God cultivating and laboring alongside us. It is even then that the fruit will sometimes fall easily off the branch and land in our baskets. The more time we spend on our knees, the more we see what God is doing.

This morning, as started praying for peace and truth to be known in some really difficult situations/areas in my own life, I could feel my perspective change. As I literally felt like I was sitting at the feet of the One whom I love most, I could feel my burdens ease and my heart rejoice. I keep thinking of the verse, "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget none of His benefits" (Psalm 103:2)

What I've Found to be Benefits of Spending Time at Jesus' Feet:
-Joy that bubbles over

-Actual Peace that completely fills your heart and causes Joy
-Hope for the future

-Love for those you are frustrated with
-The ability to pray blessing and be thankful for people you don't like or are irritated with
-Contentment in HIM

-Forgiveness in that you are actually able to let go of the hurt
-Comfort in the Shepherd's embrace

-Companionship of a friend who is closer than a brother

-TRUTH.

What I Feel When I (personally) Don't Spend Time With God:

-Fear that completely grips your entire heart, sometimes making you feel crippled

-Dismay that causes you to immediately panic

-Anxiety that causes you to to feel helpless

-Depression that causes you to want to give up

-Discontentment that causes you to commit jealousy

-Bitterness that causes you to hold past offences against people

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season" (Psalm 1:3)

I say there's no true comparison, is there? This is definitely not saying don't labor in the fields--NO! Work harder, if anything! But, remember the source of Living Water, the One who "rejoices over you with singing" (Zeph. 3:8). When you find yourself faint of heart, hit your knees and YOU will find strength!

Looking Up, 

Anna