The Pause
This is where we find God's peace.
This is where we find God's protection.
Often times, this is where we find God's purpose.
We are a society of hustle and bustle, rarely stopping to sit in the quiet. We are too busy making lunches, running our 2.5 kids to this practice or that practice, working nonstop whether in or outside of the home, volunteering on this committee or that committee. We have learned to say no to some things in our family, but at the same time we still end up this way.
When Alan got cancer the first time, it was a great opportunity to reflect on what we were saying yes to and see if it truly lined up with our family's mission and goals. We dropped some things and continued on. Fast forward to the beginning of April when his recurrence of metastatic colon cancer was diagnosed. We have continued living, but placed a strong emphasis on our priorities that I wrote about earlier - setting boundaries with people, tasks and things in our lives.
This week away has truly given us The Pause. Now that's not to say we have done nothing. Not by any means. The days have been filled with memory making activities and moments. But the mornings have given time for reflection and time with Our Lord.
I am one of those highly active individuals. I don't like yoga because when I took one class the instructor had us lay there at the end for literally 10 minutes to rest and meditate! It was painful for me. I don't sit. I am on the go constantly. I am a huge believer in prayer and time with God and yet over the years, most of my quiet times have been 5 minute devotionals because I haven't stopped to sit.
His recurrence has me on Pause. I am spending more time on my knees, praying His Word, praying for others walking this cancer journey, like my friend's grandson, Cameron, or my friends Kelly and Sharon, praying for my husband, and praying for my girls. I am spending more and more time in The word because I am desperate for God. I am clinging to Him.
You see, those of you that know me at all, know I am a take charge, get-er-done lady. Those of you that know me very well, know why that is.
In this situation, I am scared. I am more frightened than I have ever been in my life. And I can't just get-er-done with this one. i can't just take charge. That is where God steps in. He is my peace. He is my protection. And He is showing us His purpose.
My study this morning, the author spoke about her desire to charge forward with her own plan - I've NEVER done that before <insert sarcasm here> She went on to describe how in The Pause it is easy to get despondent, forgetting about God's faithfulness.
I relate to this final paragraph she wrote.
Day in and day out, God demonstrates His mercy, power, and provision, yet in the pause it is easy to forget His faithfulness. We become impatient and try to rush the wait especially when life hangs in the balance or our funds have run dry. We often can’t wrap our head or heart around God’s timing or ways. When our pause seems more like a wilderness, we must be determined to strengthen our faith by trusting His timing. Cling to His peace, and remember—God has a history of working miracles.
- Wendy Pope, Wait and See
This Pause I am learning so much more about clinging to Him, trusting Him and remembering His faithfulness. I pray that you will see His promises and faithfulness come to fullness in your life. Cling to Him - none of your life circumstances are a surprise to Him. He is working them all together for His glory! Trust in that. Trust in the one who came to this earth to die for you, so that when your time here on earth is done, you may have life eternal with Him!
Bless you Melanie! I'm thrilled the reading plan encouraged you during this difficult time.
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