Last night as I finished putting the girls to bed and praying over them, many thoughts filled me. I was experiencing much excitement & relief to finally release in book form the words that have been inside my heart for several years. Yet at the same time I felt the weight and concern for those near and far that are dealing with family and financial loss due to this pandemic. I want there to be peace and joy in my home so that my children don’t feel the fear that is trying to sneak in. But then I’m missing the family who live an ocean away, my mom’s food and fried plantain. Joining with all as we process the transition of life as we knew it. I don’t know about you but thoughts can spiral some days.
But…I’m ever reaching in expectation and in hope towards the King and kingdom that will never end. In that moment as I sat on the edge of my youngest daughter’s bed, I closed my eyes. I pictured myself as I often do, in a room with no ceiling, climbing a ladder up, headed to the place in God’s presence that is above every circumstance. And then…deep breath…I remembered who He is. I was reminded of His strength and His ability to speak peace to every storm. I took in His holiness and goodness. Knowing that He is a God of justice and compassion, of mercy and power.
In these moments I am reminded of who I am. I then find joy in the fact that I have a place to rest. I have someone’s feet to kneel at in worship, and mourning and rejoicing and in peace. Through Jesus, we are a people that are not without hope. So then we become people who walk in humility & confidence, knowing that all we have never belonged to us anyway. And that all that we are is wrapped up in Him.
We are not defined by anyone else’s opinion or perspective. There are a multitude of voices bombarding from every direction and mine may very well be one of them. But friend, all we really need to focus on is one voice. The voice of the One whose roar calms the storm but whose whisper can speak peace to the most anxious of hearts.
The good news is that we don’t have to remain as we are. We don’t have to read or watch every single news report. We don’t have to feel like we have to produce or feel like we can’t be creative. But I would dare say, we must lift our eyes and seek the face of Jesus. If you are overwhelmed by sadness, in His presence is fullness of joy. If you are looking for answers, He is the Author & the Finisher, the beginning and the end of all things. If you are weary, He beckons you to come and make an exchange. We don’t have hold on to the burdens that we were never meant to carry. Even in uncertainty we can walk on the firm foundation of our faith.
And friend, if it feels like the bottom has been ripped out from under your feet, and you have no idea where to go, perhaps today is the day to seek out the solid rock of Jesus on which to stand. Today can be your day of salvation if you don’t know Him, forgiveness of every sin, cleansing from every stain, the promise of eternal rest…a sweet exchange of life from death. A place to forever belong.
By Jenny Erlingsson
**If you need prayer or would like to know more about Jesus please don’t hesitate to email me at: info@milkandhoneywomen.com
