Faithful in Stillness

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. – (Exodus 14:14, NIV)

You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you. – (Exodus 14:14, ERV)

The Eternal will fight on your behalf while you watch in silence. – (Exodus 14:14, VOICE)

 

The fourteenth chapter of Exodus takes us back to the account of when Pharaoh had at long last released the Israelites from captivity, and they had begun their trek in the desert. God led them on a path that made Pharaoh believe that the Israelites were wandering around in confusion, and his heart grew hard as he determined to send out his army and retrieve the people who had served him for so long. As the Israelites began to catch sight of the Egyptian army moving their direction, they became fearful and started to question everything. Moses responded with verse fourteen, and the events that followed were: the safe passage of the Israelites on dry land between the walls of water of the Red Sea, the Egyptian army marching into the middle of the parted sea, chariot wheels breaking, chaos and confusion, followed by the walls of water crashing over the entire Egyptian army, leading to their ultimate demise. God had fought for the Israelites, just as He said He would do. Their part was to walk forward where He was leading, and to choose to trust. Often, God calls us to the same today. Our portion is to be still, be silent, and trust Him to fight on our behalf. As we listen and trust, He shows us what our “next steps” are to be, and is faithful to go before and behind us, as we move boldly in faith. May faith rise up within us to trust the Lord, as He fights for us faithfully.

 

It has been way too long since I have updated about Mom, but much of life has continued as the status quo. She is participating in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, all as outpatient during the week. Mom continues to work tirelessly, yet we all wish she could partake in each therapy daily. Yesterday, my nephew had a big lacrosse tryout in Portland, and mom was going to go along to watch and cheer him on. Any time that mom returns to the stands to watch and cheer on grand-kids, is a very positive step forward in recovery. We know she is very much missing her community at home in Wenatchee, and are praying hard as to how to best love and support her as she continues to heal. If you are the praying sort, please pray with us that we would be still and listen as He fights for her and shows us all how to navigate each step of this journey.

 

The Lord is faithful,

Let us choose be still;

Trust in the silence,

What He says, He will.

God meets us with grace,

His goodness and love;

As we wait on Him,

Our hope from above.

Whatever the fight,

God’s presence will be;

Before and behind,

Moving faithfully.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are for us and not against us. Thank You that so often when we have obstacles or battles before us, You simply call us to be still and trust in You; for You fight and move on our behalf. Forgive us for our fearfulness that struggles to trust. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would listen to Your still small voice within, as You lead us in the direction that we need to go. Show us how to love those around us best, so that all may know Your goodness and faithfulness that is for all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and choose be still when You call us to wait on You; for Your way is always best. Amen.

 

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

 

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Strength and a Sure Path

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. – (2 Samuel 22:33, NIV)

God is my strong fortress. He clears the path I need to take. – (2 Samuel 22:33, ERV)

God is my strong fortress; He has made me safe. – (2 Samuel 22:33, TLB)

 

Returning home after a long leave away, launched me into a season of scheduled busy that keeps me moving from early morning until the time I lie down to sleep each night. Though I would not trade it, on days such as this, I have to pause and reflect, and recognize that I only reached Friday by God’s grace and strength, with His guidance. He has protected my boys as they have begun the venture of driving solo, and granted each of us strength to return to the routine of the school year. Currently, this also includes crazy, busy weekends for all of us. God is good, and He knows our needs and is generous and kind to meet them. He makes a way for us to navigate securely, and shows us what to prioritize to maintain peace. May we ever seek our Savior to be our strength and fortress, and to show us the way that He is leading us to go.

As for mom, I imagine she is seeking the Lord to be her strength and security too, as she adapts to the new schedule in Oregon at my sister’s. With my nephews back at school, and sister and brother-in-love back to work, she has a “Visiting Angel” spending time with her during the day in their absence, and is continuing to adjust to discovering a new routine with new care-givers during the day. Mom is resilient and kind, and I know will continue to work tirelessly toward recovering with her eyes on the prize; ever pursuing her total independence again.

 

The Lord is our strength,

Keeps the way secure;

Grants hope for today,

Help so we endure.

In all our trials,

And each victory;

God will be present,

Love’s delivery.

All thanks be to God,

For His faithfulness;

As we are transformed,

By His graciousness.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength and that You make our path secure. Thank You that You provide and guide, even when we feel weary or wonder how the way will even be possible. Forgive us for the times that we allow the obstacles or heaviness to cloud our faith, rather than look to You. Teach us to trust You, for You are far greater than anything that lies before us or comes our way. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends strength and hope and direction. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your guidance, strength and love that lead us well. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. – Exodus 15:2

To Lead with Listening

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – (James 1:19, NIV)

My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. – (James 1:19, ERV)

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. – (James 1:19, MSG)

 

Who would have known how necessary and true these words would be in our present circumstances? Though I know that anger can be a stage of grief, the flashes of anger that I have experienced have been out of fierce protection, as people have not understood mom’s need for space and rest as she heals. Countless times, I have had to take deep breaths, listen to His still small voice, and speak with kindness to explain that mom is not able to have guests visit when she is tired or resting or simply not ready to see visitors at this time. I imagine it is extraordinarily difficult as one of mom’s friends, as she loves and is loved well by so many. As she transitions to her home this coming week, mom will need time to adjust to being back in her own environment and find her “footing” in her own space, before she is ever ready to receive visitors. Please do not just “drop by” or “come say hi”, or you will be met by one of her girls who is doing everything they can to listen before speaking and keep anger in check, but push too much, and you may see a ginger, snap.

Mom is continuing to work tirelessly in her therapies, as she is determined and focused. Her desire is set on regaining full movement in her right side, and each day she regains a little more strength and control of what was lost. Mom will be released to home in a wheelchair, as she continues to work on relearning how to walk and regain her strength and mobility. We are extremely grateful that her home is a rambler, so little needs to be done to prepare for her return. Additionally, because my sister or I will be with mom at all times, there is room to recognize anything that may need to be done in the future to make mom’s mobility more approachable for her on her own. Time and experience will be our best teachers. Please continue to pray with us for mom’s ongoing healing, for a smooth transition home, for ears to listen, mouths that are slow to speak, and anger to be kept in check as grace abounds so much more.

 

Lord, help us listen,

To be slow to speak;

To hear with our heart,

Let Your love repeat.

Keep anger at bay,

As it tries to rise;

The need to protect,

Fear’s ugly disguise.

God grant us wisdom,

Show us what to do;

To protect and love,

Bring honor to You.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to listen first, as I imagine that is why we have two ears and only one mouth. Forgive us for speaking without listening to Your still small voice first, or for allowing our anger to get the best of us. Teach us to slow down and breathe; to set all before You and allow You to show us what is righteous anger and what is not; what we are meant to do, and what we are not. Show us how to love people well, even when they do not understand the circumstances or expectations and frustrate us to the point of anger. May our choosing to love point they to a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we bring all things before You and choose to listen first and take our time before talking. Amen.

 

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

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23