Trust for Transition

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, NLT)

I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, VOICE)

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope! – (Romans 15:13, TPT)

 

Yesterday was a transition day for me. As I traveled from west to east, my heart was full of hope and excited anticipation to see mom, as I could not wait to witness the positive gains she has made in my time away. Upon my arrival, she was happily visiting with a dear friend. Though there was a gap between when my sister had gone home and I had arrived, we both were at peace, thanks to a few of her sweet, sister-like friends. As soon as her friend had gone, mom confessed that she was exhausted. It had been an extraordinarily long week, and I think having a few different people with her, for more than a brief time without one of us present, had taken a toll on her. With us, she knows that she can say or do anything, and we can read her body language and facial expressions – so little effort is required. This is why the number of visitors currently allowed is extraordinarily limited right now. (per her request) She is doing amazingly well, but I imagine there are insecurities and anxieties about finding the right words with those she doesn’t talk to daily. I am certain that much of her desire to wait to see people, has much to do with this, and my sister and I are doing everything we can to safeguard and protect mom’s wishes. It does not matter if those wanting to visit are not bothered by her struggle for finding words; if it bothers her and she does not want to share the struggle with others yet, we will honor our mother. Period. For those who have been incredibly gracious in the waiting, thank you.

As for the fountain of hope and uncontainable joy, I am seeing God fill mom with fresh hope and joy, every single day. Though her right hand is still not cooperating as she would like, she no longer hides it under a pillow on her lap, but rather she stretches it out with her other hand, holds onto it, recognizes it, and continues to send signals to tell it to move. She is hopeful, and does have feeling, so we trust that it is simply a matter of time. Peace in the waiting is clearly present. Most shifts, mom manages to have the kindest and most experienced charge nurse assigned to her. My guess is that they argue about who gets to work with her, as she is always smiling, gracious, grateful, and appreciative of all that they do to help with her healing.

The next week and a half are going to be pivotal for all of us, as we have some critical decisions to make about where mom ought to be next, in the transition. We are not sure yet as to whether to be at her house, Meg’s house, or mine, as much will depend on insurance, available therapies, accessibility, and of course, what mom wants. Obviously, we want what is very best for mom in this season as she continues to gain strength and heal. She will not be ready to live alone, nor would we want her to do so, even if she were. Please join us in praying for wisdom and direction to be made abundantly clear. Not our will, but His.

 

Let the Lord of hope, Trust for Transition

Fill you with all joy;

For His perfect peace,

All doubt does destroy.

Choose trust in the One,

Whose power and grace;

Surround and indwell,

Abound in your space.

His filling’s so great,

We too, overflow;

Radiate His hope,

So others may know.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, You fill us completely with joy and peace, as we trust in You. Thank You that You fill us to overflowing with confident hope, by the power of Your Holy Spirit within us. Forgive us for fearing the unknown, or being anxious about that which we cannot control. Teach us to trust all in Your hands. Show us how to listen for Your voice and to walk in the way that You lead. Direct our every step, O God. Lead us to love those around us in a way that demonstrates the joy and peace that are found through hope held in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place all of our trust in Your hands. Amen.

 

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

 

Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. – Psalm 9:10

Waiting On a Promise

Moses is remembered as a mighty man of faith, yet his journey between the promise and its fulfillment, was not an easy one.  It all began well, as God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, and spoke to him personally.  God told him He had heard the cries of his people, and that “He had come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey – the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.” – (Exodus 3:8) 

What God next told Moses, however, brought up Moses’ own insecurities, and made him question God.  God told Moses that He was sending him to Pharaoh to bring His people out of Egypt, so Moses started asking questions.  At first, the questions seemed practical and reasonable, yet soon, they revealed his own insecurities about his ability to speak publicly.  In fact, Moses then said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” – (Exodus 4:13) God was none too pleased with Moses’ response, yet chose to answer his request by allowing his brother, Aaron, to partner with him in this endeavor.

Once Moses and Aaron had met up, and Aaron too had heard the charge from God, they went to Pharaoh and did as the Lord had asked them to do.  Pharaoh did not exactly agree to what they asked.  In fact, it seemed as if the promise that had been spoken, was even farther off than it had been prior to their powwow with Pharaoh.  “Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people?  Is this why you sent me?” – (Exodus 5:22)

Isn’t it easy for us to do the same thing?  A promise is spoken, or a dream discovered, and we expect the fulfillment – the fruition to be found – immediately.  Often, there is a long and arduous road in between a promise and it’s fulfillment.  Our character is shaped and developed, as we overcome obstacles and learn to trust Him more.  As we learn from the Israelites, grumbling in said deserts, often delays the promise all the more…

A promise spoken,Waiting On a Promise

the birth of a dream;

hope that is chosen,

God’s blessing, it’d seem.

Then comes the waiting,

and patience grows dim;

weariness finds us,

don’t let darkness in.

The doubt and the fear,

lay each of them down;

fix eyes on the Lord,

where fulfillment’s found.

Despite what is seen,

continue to trust;

for what He has said,

will be done for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to do what You say You will do.  Thank You that Your timing is not our timing, nor Your ways, our ways.  Thank You that You are patient and kind, and that You lovingly lead us where You call us to go, even if it takes years of wandering in the desert to reach the promised place of peace.  Forgive us for our doubts, fears, and our grumbling, and help us to trust completely, despite what we see.  Make us aware of Your persistent presence, and help us to be satisfied in knowing that You are at work in us.  May we live in faith and love with trust, so that others may see You in us.  Let those who are looking, come to know You as their Savior, soon.  Be glorified, even in our waiting.  Amen.

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