The mountain stream gurgles in celebration of life. Walk beside it on my path. You can’t see around the corner yet but keep walking. Celebrate each step as a step toward the plans I am unrolling. Take another step. You are tired, my love. The weight is heavy. But I have never left you and I do not leave you now.
Avoid looking into the darkness of self pity and depression. There is no life in that. You shut me out when you do that. Continue walking ahead.
Allow me to show you new steps, new purpose, new love. Let my joy flow over you. Into you. Through you. Let me strengthen you. I am with you always. Inhale deeply of my joyful breath, dear one.
Take another step.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!
Eat from my banquet table, dear one. See the foods before you. Endless choices.
Smell the aromas of roasted meat and fresh vegetables. Taste the sweet fruits.
I provide abundantly. Sit with me at my feast. Let us join in celebration. The music of a festival fills the air. Flames dance in joy from torches and fireplaces. Children clap their hands as they dance, as they celebrate the abundant life I provide.
Join in, dear one. Enter my feast and let me be your host.
Let me set this banqueting table before you in the midst of the darkness beyond, in the midst of loss and pain.
In me is life and healing and joy. Join me, my love.
Join me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Let my peace be a balm to heal to your wounds. Allow my love cascade over you like a warm shower, cleansing and restoring. Let me bring newness to your heart and hope to your soul.
Trust me for eternity. I will never leave you or forsake you.
Take my hand and we’ll walk until you can skip. Then we’ll skip as children until you can run. Then we will run together through meadows of soft grass and singing birds.
We will dance in the rain and let our voices blend in joy. Trust me on this. You will be healed. You will love again. You will laugh and sing and embrace life. Now and for eternity.
I love you, my dear one.
Trust me.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
(On a day when I was downcast and tired, I begged God to help me. I was mired in emotional mud with no energy. Life seemed overwhelming. This is what he said to me.)
Can you see me? Can you hear my heartbeat? Can you feel the thundering of my coming?
I am sending an army to you, my child. I bring renewal and newness.
You are tired, my love. You have carried a heavy burden of tasks.
Please let me help you.
I can give you the strength for yet another day. Trust me, dear one.
Others are coming to help you. You will be surrounded by my angels on this day.
Let them carry some of your load. Let them be my hands to your day.
I offer the grapes of love and the plums of joy. I bring the sweet taste of pears and berries.
Let me renew your body and restore your emotions. Trust me to do what you cannot.
Rest in me and my strength. I promise to never leave your side, dear one.
Today, let me carry you. Let me recharge your essence.
I am here.
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:18-19a Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015).
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