Ragnar Reflections 2016

As I reflect upon the completion of my third Ragnar race, I am so grateful to have again had both the opportunity to participate, and the capacity to do so. I know that both are not options for everyone. Time away from family, even for two days, is a sacrifice not all are able to make. Additionally, being willing and able to run three times in less than a day and a half, on little to no sleep and make-shift meals is not something everyone can do. Some have physical limitations, whereas others have barriers that prevent pursuit of such things. Others, think we all are simply a bit off kilter to do what we do in the first place. Whichever the case may be, determined or a bit nutty – I know that His grace carried me when the road seemed extra long, and my legs felt as if they were done running before the race was through.

 

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. – (1 Timothy 1:14)

 

I know that my context is no comparison to the original text, however, I know how very aware I was of God’s grace that covered me, and His love that met me, as sweet songs filled my mind to strengthen and encourage when I grew weary. The love of the Lord is faithful to meet us in all circumstances – even when running on the road in the middle of the night. In fact, I’d venture to say all the more. When we call on Him, He makes His presence known to us, and covers us with His love. May the grace and love of the Lord be poured out upon all, as we seek Him in faith, today and always.

 

The grace of the Lord,

Is poured upon us;

When we choose to seek,

To call on Jesus.

Wherever we are,

The Lord meets us there;

Grants us love and grace,

He hears each prayer.

 

In our space of need,

He’ll faithfully come;

Give strength to weary,

God, the Righteous One.

Let us give God praise,

For His love and grace;

In Him we’re able,

To finish our race.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace that You pour out abundantly upon us, as well as the faith and love that You have granted us through Your Son, Jesus. Thank You that when we seek You, we find You, regardless of when or where the seeking takes place. Forgive us for going forth without seeking, or for waiting to seek You until there is a need. Teach us to trust You with everything all of the time, so that we begin our day with conversation with You. Show us how to love others with the same love and grace that You so generously give to us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to pour out the grace and love that You have given, by faith, so that many may come to know the fullness of Your love. Amen.

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

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

The Safest Space

You are my hiding place. You will keep me out of trouble and envelop me with songs that remind me I am free. – (Psalm 32:7, VOICE)

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. – (Psalm 32:7, NIV)

For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. – (Psalm 32:7, NLT)

 

God is faithful, no matter what comes our way. We can always trust in Him to be our space of safety, and the One on whom we can depend. He is our strength, our protection and our peace. As we rest in Him, regardless of what surrounds us, He reminds us that the ultimate victory is His. In Him, we are free. Despite what we see, He is present and moving on our behalf if we call on His Name for help. The Lord will use even the most dire of circumstances for the ultimate good of those who love Him. It does not mean that He orchestrated nor set into motion the difficulties that we endure, yet He, in His loving kindness, will come beside us and supply what we need to navigate the hard, and then bring beauty from the ashes that once reigned. As we watch in wonder the new that He brings forth from what once was broken and laid bare, His sweet songs surround us, reminding us that in Him, there is hope, and the ultimate victory belongs to Him. May we run to Him who is our hiding place, and trust the Lord to be our protection from the perils along our path. Help our hearts to hear Your sweet songs of deliverance as You move on our behalf.

 

You’re my hiding place,

as troubles invade;

in Your sweet embrace,

I am not afraid.

For You are safety,

as storms try to rage;

my hope and comfort,

for all of my days.

Your songs of freedom,

surround and remind;

despite what is seen,

in You, hope we find.

Help my heart to hold,

to Your hiding place;

protect and keep me,

for now and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our hiding place no matter what comes our way. Thank You that You are our protection through the storms of life, and that You surround us with Your songs of hope that remind us of the ultimate victory found in You. Thank You that You bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient, no matter what we face. Forgive us for our fearfulness in the midst of life’s trials. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would run to You as our hiding place, for in You, we find comfort and safety, despite what surrounds us. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that we might convey the hope and safety that You alone supply. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we run to You as our hiding place and trust You to keep us from trouble and listen for Your songs that surround our hearts and minds. Amen.

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

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

Day and Night He Loves to Life

But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life. – (Psalm 42:8, NLT)

By day the Lord commands His faithful love; by night His song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life. – (Psalm 42:8, CEB)

Yet in the light of day, the Eternal shows me His love. When night settles in and all is dark, He keeps me company – His soothing song, a prayerful melody to the True God of my life. – (Psalm 42:8, VOICE)

 

God’s love for us is not limited. He does not operate on a time clock, nor does He only make Himself available during certain hours of the day. The love of the Lord is being poured out upon us, day and night. When we prayerfully seek Him, He meets us in the moment – to comfort us and remind us of His presence and the hope that we have in Him. The more we seek Him, the more readily His songs rise up within our hearts, and go out to Him in prayer. His faithful love soothes even the weariest of souls, and we are never truly alone when we have the Lord in our lives. May we turn to Christ in prayer, and rest in Him as He pours His unfailing love upon us and soothes us with His sweet songs of life.

 

The love of the Lord,

shall never fail us;

for both day and night,

the Lord hears requests.

As we pray to Him,

He soothes us with song;

grants life unto us,

hope for our life long.

When all things seem dark,

the Lord’s love is light;

that chases away,

all that is not right.

For He is our God,

Who hears each heart cry;

He loves us to life,

and peace He supplies.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You pour out Your unfailing love upon us each new day. Thank You that Your love is not limited to certain times of the day, but day and night – always – You are available and listening, present and willing to meet us in our place of need. Thank You that our prayers are met with Your comfort, and that Your songs soothe the weariest of souls. Thank You that You give us life everlasting in You. Forgive us for placing limits upon You, as if You were a mere man, rather than the Most Holy God, who sees, hears and knows what we need before we even ask. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would come to You in all things and at all times, confident that You will meet us in our moments, as You are always faithful. Show us how to love others in a way that brings comfort and encouragement, just as You comfort and encourage us. May many find hope and life everlasting in You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and sing Your songs, as You grant us life. Amen.

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

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21

From Sorrow to Songs of Joy

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. – (Psalm 126:5)

 

“Grief is not a permanent condition. Our tears can be seeds that will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy. When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and that you will again find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God’s great harvest of joy is coming!” – (NIV footnotes for Psalm 126:5,6)

 

With all of the tragedy taking place on the planet, it seems hard to imagine a space without sorrow. However, just as we experience seasons where the weather and the world around us continue to transform, so too, are there seasons that we walk through during our lifetime. Though the times of greatest loss and grief feel as if they will never end, God’s grace is far greater, and gradually His gift of good in the midst of the horrible, rises up. Often, He uses our greatest heartache to touch the hearts of those who are hurting in a similar space, bringing new life where all had felt lost. Joy will come again, and sweet songs of His faithfulness will flood hearts and minds to overflowing. Take heart, dear ones who are hurting, for He will restore your joy.

 

When sorrow surrounds,

and grief overwhelms;

the tears seem endless,

in destruction’s realm –

hope is not yet lost,

for joy will be found;

good from the sorrow,

God’s love shall abound.

He sees all our tears,

each of them that falls;

none go unnoticed,

He catches them all.

The grief will be grown,

into something good;

a testimony,

of grace understood.

His love unto us,

shall then be passed on;

restoring some joy,

despite what is gone.

Take heart, dear hurting,

for He truly sees;

all of the anguish,

He wants to relieve.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You take our sorrows and turn them into joy. Thank You that though we may walk through seasons of grief that seem as if they will never end, You are with us, and they do, eventually, roll into seasons of joy, as You somehow bring good out of tragedy. Forgive us for our fear and sense of hopelessness, and help us to hold fast to our hope in You. May we trust and rely on You in all things and at all times. Teach us to allow You to use our sorrows and struggles to speak life into those who are stuck in similar spaces. Help us to offer Your hope, as You have given us a story of new life as You have and continue to faithfully walked us through each season. Let the lost and the hurting find forever help and hope in You. Be glorified O God, as we allow Your joy to radiate from the places where sorrows once stood. Amen.

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

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5