But now...we are settled. The 'time of change' the 'challenging experience' is pretty much over. Things seem normal. And now...I am in a valley spiritually. A desert. I wish I could say I don't know why. Any relationship that I don't spend any time with at all is bound to suffer. So, being the awesome, forgiving, and patient God that He is - He is still right there even though I've not had time for Him. So I cry out. Several times over the past few weeks. Yet, silence. I know He is there. I just have not been in constant communion with Him like I was when I felt like I needed Him to survive. I guess it is humanness to not cling to Him like you are dying when everything is going well and normal and comfortable... I need Him in order to survive every day though - not just during 'challenging experiences.' Now, don't get me wrong. I don't enjoy times of change and hardship - but wow...the comfort I had in Him was like nothing else. And now that I've been there...I miss it.
Instead of blogging two days ago I read this devotion on Psalm 63, When God Feels Far Away. Here is a portion of it:
It begins with permission to declare the desert:Ah...perfect.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,in a dry and weary land where there is no water.It begins with a statement of the present reality. But then it moves to a memory:I have seen you in the
sanctuaryand beheld your power
and your glory.The Psalmist remembers who God has been, the times that were rich and vibrant and emotionally satisfying. And once he remembers who God is, even if he can’t feel God now, the Psalmist can move forward and praise:Because your love is
better than life,my lips will glorify
you.
The effects of not spending time with Him don't just end with me not feeling close to Him and missing Him...my whole life is affected! My last few blogs are evidence. I have struggled with comparisons, jealousy, depression, anger, a judging spirit, and a need to please man and earn their acceptance. I've felt confused as to what He wants me to be doing. I've tried to make my loneliness (from not being with Him) better by eating, shopping, praise from others, busyness, and being a 'part' of things. This seems like the theme of Ecclesiastes...I've mentioned this before. Solomon tried to put so many things in that God-sized hole in his heart and none of them worked.
I confess that I didn't want to blog two days ago, because others in my life seem like they are walking so closely to Him and I am ashamed that I am not. But, it is normal for all of us to have mountains and valleys and He knows what is best for me. So, I will put that ungodly comparison out of my mind, mind my own business, and move on. He is not done with me yet. He still seems quiet as I start to call out to Him again, but "because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you!"
KISSEL UPDATES:
Emily and Mrs. Plyler |
Evan and Mrs. Gordon |
I agreed to coordinate a Welcome Wagon for our school's new families for next year. Since it is definitely a passion of mine to connect people to other people for support and encouragement - this fits in perfectly. As I thought about it I remembered the Ministry to New Mothers theme verse 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." Obviously being in a school it isn't a Christian based group or anything, but my desire for doing this stems from the comfort I received so I can comfort others since I've been there...just like it was for the ministry to moms. A group of us (10 moms were excited about this!) will be writing up a booklet for new parents this summer.
Jeff and I celebrated 14 years of marriage on Wednesday. We didn't do anything special...but we did do a lot of reminiscing. I am so thankful that as we have changed, grown, matured, endured stuff, made mistakes, celebrated, hurt - we have become even closer. The saying is true - "I love you more than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow." Jeff is truly a gift to me...every day.
We are looking very forward to some fun summer weeks ahead, spending time with old friends and new ones!
I hope we can hang out this summer Amy- I'm glad we met :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christie! Me too! :) I loved reading about your gnome name game yesterday - I just don't have any creative ideas :( LOL!
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