Saturday, December 27, 2008

Leaning Against Him

Dear Sisters,
Hi! I woke up this morning at 3 am. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I got up and headed toward the kitchen. Quincy had been sick all night, so I stopped and put a fresh log on the fireplace in the living room where he slept. I just wanted to be alone with the LORD, hear His Beautiful Voice in His Word, and talk to Him about so many things. I lit a candle in the kitchen and put on the coffee. I opened up my Bible that is so well loved it is falling apart at the seams and once again asked Him to let me lean against Him and breathe Him in.

"When You said, 'Seek My Face,' My heart said to You, 'Your Face, LORD, I will seek.' " Psalm 27:8

Quincy heads out for Afghanistan the first week of January, and Brady is still in Iraq. Art's company has seen so many layoffs right before Christmas with more grim prospects ahead. And the pleasure of getting a baby girl from China after all these years of waiting is now looking dimmer and dimmer. But I knew there is peace in those Blessed Pages, and I prayed for "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" once again.

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."

Before I knew it, it was 5:30 am and my heart was at rest once more in His Precious, Precious Promises. I never tire of hearing them. I never tire of thanking Him for them. His Love Letter to me every day.

"All my fruit is found in You."

"I will love You, O LORD, my strength!"

"Each day has enough trouble of its own" were never truer Words; which is why I need so much to sit with The Living Word each morning before starting out yet another day. He is ever my strength.

"Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word which proceeds from the Mouth of God." The Living Word which nourishes and nourishes beyond description. Without it, I am a bundle of raw nerves when the trouble hits.

"LORD, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me!" Luke 10:40

A wise pastor once said, "Ministry makes a poor master."

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is absolutely necessary, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

It is a choice to sit at His Feet every day. But I have learned that in order not to be troubled and worried about the "many things" and then to start blaming others for it (including the LORD Himself), it is absolutely necessary. I need His Word resounding in my ears all day as I face yet another day "with trouble of its own". For "the Kingdom of God is righteousness, joy, and peace." And I want to walk in His Righteousness through Jesus Christ my LORD, His joy in the Holy Spirit, and His peace that passes all understanding.

It's not about "doing it all", rather doing it with Him and for Him. For apart from Him, I am nothing. But with Him, all things are possible. And peaceful.

"Faith working through love."

Those are the Words I've been hearing over and over again lately...

"Faith working through love."

"Faith working through love."

"You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your Right Hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

His Pace
His Pleasure
His Power
His Patience
His Perfect Love
His Passion
His Priorities
His Purpose
His Praise
His Peace

all, all, all in

His Presence.

I'm still learning. Believe me, I'm still learning. But by His Grace, I will keep on listening, learning, and leaning against Him. For He truly is my all.

Love,
Laine