Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day on this glorious Sunday morning in my Sweet Home Alabama! I am on the struggle bus…getting this out two days late, however, here I am!
Some seasons of life are difficult. Sometimes it is hard to keep the faith. Sometimes the darkness is so thick that nothing can be seen. Sometimes the heart is so heavy it feels like there is a stone in the chest. Sometimes it is hard to simply breathe. Ever been there? I am now.
We are all going to turn to something when we are in difficult seasons of life. I like to listen to Christian radio, read books, search scripture, etc., during these times. In the last 24 hours I came across 4 different things that I want to share with you all that are helpful to me during this season of life.
When I was listening to Christian radio yesterday, the announcer talked about the very type of season I described above. She then talked about Psalms 23 and encouraged everyone to read it every day for a week. She stated she had done this previously when she was in one of those seasons of life and it made a profound difference for her. I plan to take her counsel and thought you might want to as well.
Psalm 23 (New International Version)
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The song Flowers by Samantha Ebert really speaks to my heart. I would encourage you to read the lyrics and listen to the song. My favorite version of the song is Samantha Ebert featuring Seph Schlueter.
Flowers
Well, blue skies and hillsides feel so far away
And I wrote in my notebook that I've seen better days
Than the ones as of late
I can't bear the weight
The rain won't stop pouring out my windowpane
And I haven't left my bedroom in 76 days
I wish something would change
'Cause I'm losing faith
So I brought it up in a desperate prayer
Lord, why are you keeping me here?
Then He said to me, "Child, I'm planting seeds
I'm a good God and I have a good plan
So trust that I'm holding a watering can
And someday you'll see that flowers grow in the valley"
So whatever the reason, I'm barely getting by
I'll trust it's a season knowing that you're by my side
Every step of the way
And I'll be okay
'Cause I brought it up in a desperate prayer
Lord, why are you keeping me here?
Then He said to me, "Child, I'm planting seeds
I'm a good God and I have a good plan"
So trust that I'm holding a watering can
And someday you'll see that flowers grow in the valley
Mm, mm
When I'm on the mountain and looking down below
I'll see a valley of flowers that needed time to grow
And I'll thank you for the rain
The hurt and days of pain
And I'll bring it up in a grateful prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for keeping me there
You know just what I need, and you've planted seeds
'Cause you're a good God with a real good plan
And you hold my world in a watering can
So I can have peace 'cause flowers grow in the valley
Last night I was reading another section of Pastor Craig Groeschel’s book The Benefit of Doubt. I read this excerpt, which spoke deeply to me.
“John Kavanaugh was a professor of philosophy at Saint Louis University. He spent a year searching for purpose in life and then moved to Calcutta, India, to help Mother Teresa in her ministry of serving the poor. One day she asked Kavanaugh, “What can I pray for you?” He thought, This is it. My moment! So he asked Mother Teresa to please pray for clarity. She said no, telling him, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” He was taken aback and sputtered out, “But you seem to have clarity. Why won’t you pray for me to have clarity?” Mother Teresa stated, “I’ve never had clarity, what I’ve always had is trust. That’s what I will pray for you. That you will trust God.””
Finally, when I was searching for quotes about faith this morning, I came across the following:
“Faith is not a feeling. It’s a choice. You choose whether to walk in fear or faith. And when you choose to walk in faith, God walks with you.” – Eve M. Harrell
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful Sunday, please cherish your precious family, and stay well.
Kev
