Peace in His Protection

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may rejoice in You. – (Psalm 5:11, NIV)

But let those who trust in You be happy forever. Protect and strengthen those who love Your Name. – (Psalm 5:11, ERV)

But make everyone rejoice who puts his trust in You. Keep them shouting for joy because You are defending them. Fill all who love You with Your happiness. – (Psalm 5:11, TLB)

 

This morning, I am able to rejoice and be glad, for I know that God protected me. That being said, it was sadly, not my first response, as I discovered my flight to Reno was cancelled last evening. Though my husband had called me and given me a heads up that the city was experiencing high winds, and the landing would likely be quite turbulent, somehow, the severity of the weather did not really register in my mind. Then, after patiently sitting at my gate for over an hour, as I had breezed through security in five minutes, I received a text from my airline, notifying me that my flight had been cancelled and that I had been booked on another flight. At first, I merely thought I needed to find a new gate, but upon closer investigation, I had the revelation that the new flight had not been scheduled until twelve hours later. My initial reaction was frustration, as I was uncertain as to how I would get home and back to the airport again in the morning, and questioned why my flight was cancelled in the first place. After speaking with a kind ticket agent, who helped make certain I was all set for my flight this morning, it slowly dawned on me that not only my flight, but all the flights that evening, were cancelled into Reno, due to the high winds. Turbulence is not my friend, and staying safe while flying is of critical importance. After a good night’s sleep in my own bed, I am grateful that I was protected and kept safe, and am still happily anticipating the time I will have to spend with family for the remainder of the weekend with my husband, who is already in Reno. May we ever rejoice and place our trust in God, for He protects us and strengthens us with His goodness and love.

 

In gladness, let’s choose,

Take refuge in God;

Our safe hiding place,

Where peace is installed.

Even when events,

Makes no sense at all;

His purpose for us,

To love, it’s our call.

As we choose to trust,

It’s quite plain to see;

How He protects us,

Ever lovingly.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can always trust in You. Thank You that as we do, You are protecting and strengthening us, even when we have no idea how or why. Thank You that You see and know the entire story, not just the portion that our limited sights can see. Forgive us for our frustration when things don’t seem to go according to our own plans. Teach us to trust You and Your plans, as often the disruptions are simply for our protection. Show us how to love those around us as we navigate uncharted territory. Help us to live and love generously. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and praise You for Your protection, strength and love that never leaves us and always has our best in mind. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – Proverbs 29:25

Our Greatest Blessings

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. – (Psalm 127:3, NIV)

Children are a gift from God; they are His reward. – (Psalm 127:3, TLB)

Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward. – (Psalm 127:3, TPT)

 

My husband and I are abundantly blessed with three amazing boys between us. Earlier this month, the eldest, had his 19th birthday while I was still in Wenatchee with my mom. Upon my return, I apologized for having missed his birthday, and let him know that we would love to celebrate him still. He grinned and claimed that it wasn’t a big deal, yet I knew that he was delighted to be remembered. As he and I spoke about possibilities, we determined that a weekend in Vancouver, BC, would be wonderful. He, in his nineteen years, has never been out of the country, and has an enhanced driver’s license, so he is ready to go. Today, the weekend has finally arrived, and we are merely waiting for our hard-working young man to return home from work (he works graveyard shift) to begin our adventure. Not only is it a delight to celebrate this gift from God, but it is a joy to anticipate watching in wonder, as he takes in all things new. It never ceases to amaze me how blessed the giver ends up feeling in the process of anticipating and carrying out a planned adventure of blessings. I imagine it is but a glimpse of how God feels, as He blesses us with good things. He sees our needs and the desires of our hearts, and then orchestrates ways to surprise and delight us; His sons and daughters. May we ever give thanks to the Lord for the incredible gift of children that we have been given, for they truly are a treasure from heaven.

 

Our greatest blessings,

Come to us, so small;

They capture our hearts,

Not just part, but all.

Each milestone achieved,

Brings joy and delight;

Every tear shed,

Keeps us up at night.

With all that we are,

We love, hope and dream;

For every good gift,

To show what love means.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible gift and blessings that are found in our children. Thank You for the opportunity to celebrate and bless them, individually, so that they might gain a glimpse of how You see them. Forgive us for the times that we grow weary and frustrated with the gifts. Teach us to treasure our children and to show them the way to love like You. Help us to love those around us with a love like Yours. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all of our gratitude for the gift You have given us in our children. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

Restoring Joy

I will shout for joy as I sing Your praises; my soul will celebrate because You have rescued me. – (Psalm 71:23, VOICE)

 

Yesterday was the best day that I have had with students in a long while. For whatever reason, the air was lighter, kids were set to task, and I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with my students all day long. Because my heart was full, and joy was restored, my countenance was not shaken when I needed to call to have a student removed from my last class of the day. The other students in the class were doing a terrific job, and I was not going to allow one child’s poor choices steal the joy that had come to rest in the room. God was faithful to hold my heart throughout the day, and the atmosphere in my classroom was exactly what was needed to help carry me to today. This morning, rather than dreading one more day to drudge through (as I was that weary on Wednesday), I am eagerly anticipating today, and have hope for a repeat of positive student engagement, as well as necessary work being accomplished. An added bonus and reason to celebrate is that we are being rescued from all the rain, as sunshine and clear skies are at last in the forecast as well. May we all celebrate the goodness of God, as He has rescued each of us, granting our heart reason for joy.

 

Let each heart sing praise,

As joy enters in;

For we’ve been rescued,

Set free from our sin.

Though we’ll have struggles,

On Christ we can call;

He’s our help and hope,

Makes way through it all.

Let shouts of joy,

Rise up, fill the air;

Our Forever Hope,

Is present; aware.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You rescue us. Thank You that You are our strength when we have none, and that You restore joy in spaces where it has been depleted. Thank You that in You, there is always joy. Forgive us for fixing our eyes on our circumstances or allowing what is in front of us to weigh us down. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will place our burdens in Your hands, and allow You to carry the weight. Show us how to love well, those who need it most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You and celebrate who You are and all that You have done. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14

Trust in the Face of Fear

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. – (Psalm 56:3, NLT)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. – (Psalm 56:3, NIV)

 

Both versions of this verse are a great reminder of how we are meant to respond to fear. One is an action statement for the right now, and the other is anticipating an action plan for whatever lies ahead. In each circumstance, our response ought to be to trust the Lord, as He is our help and our hope for today, tomorrow and forever. Despite the faithfulness God has shown before, in our frail humanity, we often lose sight of how great our God is, and focus instead on how overwhelming the obstacle in our path. This is the place where we must slow down, breathe deeply, and remember Who is far greater than anything that lies before us. When the rubber meets the road and fear stares us directly in the face, this, this is the space where we have to choose whether or not we will trust. God is patient, and it seems that even when I choose panic over trust, He waits lovingly until I come to the place where I am ready to turn to Him, and walks beside me and guides me to lead me from a place of fear to one of resolve. God is good and worthy of all of our trust. May we place our trust in Him when we feel fear fighting for a foothold.

 

When I feel afraid,

The Lord’s ever near;

If I choose to trust,

He will always hear.

Whatever we face,

God is so much more;

His presence provides,

Love, strength, hope and more.

He goes before us,

And He stands beside;

There’s nothing we face,

That He can’t supply.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we are afraid, we can place our trust in You. Thank You that You are worthy of all of our trust, as You alone supply the strength, courage and grace that we need to overcome every obstacle that lies before us. Forgive us for our fearfulness that keeps us from moving forward. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You in faith, believing that You are who You say You are and that You will do what You say You will do. Show us how to love those around us in a way that helps alleviate fears and gives strength and courage to persevere in the face of adversity. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You when we are afraid. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16

Wait in Hope

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. – (Micah 7:7)

 

To watch in hope is to look forward, anticipating what the Lord will do, trusting that He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. Waiting for God does not mean that we sit idly by, hoping that something will happen, but rather we continue to walk forward in the direction to which He has called us, having faith that His timing is perfect, even when our own patience grows thing. As we walk in faith and trust in His timing, it is essential that we place our confidence in Christ, for God hears our every prayer and petition. May we watch in hope as we wait on the Lord, trusting that He has heard our every cry.

 

But as for me,

I will watch in hope;

for our great God,

my soul’s rescue rope.

On God I wait,

despite my desires;

He plants the seed,

ignites the fires.

My God will hear,

each word my heart holds;

His plans are good,

despite storms untold.

He’ll hold us up,

as our safety space;

He lights the path,

with mercy and grace.

So watch and wait,

dear ones, be assured;

with faith in Christ,

our future’s secured.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You we are able to watch and wait in hope – not in a space of inactivity, but rather in one of trust, knowing that You will do what You say You will do, and You hear our every petition presented before You. Forgive us for either attempting to run ahead of where You are leading us, or for sitting stagnant, when You are asking us to keep moving forward. Grant us ears to hear and hearts to understand, all that You are asking. May we walk in obedience, trusting Your timing and Your lavish love for each of us, as Your children. Lead us to love others as You love us, and may many come to know You as their Savior. Be exalted as we watch and wait in hope for all that You have for us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23