I am wilted this morning.
And the feelings.
They are bleeding.
The tears.
They pool and leak.
Trickle during praise, during prayer, during the breaking of the bread.
I brush them away.
Pull hair over cheeks.
We’re talking about following the path.
His path for us.
The path of becoming.
But often that path is littered with pain.
“Lord, isn’t there some other way?”
Yet I know that God’s ways are higher than our ways.
That He disciplines those He loves.
That He sees the end from the beginning.
That nothing can thwart His plan.
That He tenderly holds the heart that aches.
And that only He can gather the shattered pieces and rebuild the becoming.
Some things only God can fix.
Only.
God.
I’ve never forced a branch to bloom.
Until now.
I cut some forsythia and plunged the stems into water.
And day by day I’ve watched the tiny buds green and blossom yellow.
Before their time.
But I’m reminded that we can’t force growth in the lives of others.
Before their time.
Before His time.
Because we are not in control.
Even when circumstances seem to spin out of control.
Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God’s plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins. God’s love is still working. He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out His wonderful plan of love. ~Eric Liddell
Sometimes we just have to wait.
For.
Only.
God.
How has God taken some calamity in your life and turned it to victory?
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. ~Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Linking up with Michelle.
And with L.L.
WOO HOO! This.is.right.on!
Down, down, down, down, down, down we go until there is no more down to go.
Look around at the walls. Look up. It’s the only direction to look. No more down to go.
My abilities are useless. My figuring out won’t figure it out. My confidence in myself is depleted.
This is the gift of the down: God.takes.over.
Love the post. It spoke to me today. Keep it up and stay strong!
Love. This. Comment.
Waiting for spring is hard. I’m sorry you’re feeling blue, Sandra. Sending some hugs your way.
Thanks for such a wonderful post…
Thanks for the encouragement, dear friend.
oh, the blooms! I’ve been watching my forsythia swell. The yellow, how I look forward to it. 🙂
I just couldn’t wait for them to come natural. Now I’m thinking about seeing if it will work for the lilacs.
Now where do I begin? Calamity into victory? Yes. I know about that. I can testify to that. Don’t get me started. 🙂
The bottom line is that God is good and He has perfect timing. Absolutely perfect.
Perfect.
“Some things only God can fix.
Only.
God.”…oh Sandra…wrapping prayers around these words for you…
Thank you so much, Connie.
You have an award on my blog today, Sandy! 🙂
Love you, Susan. Thanks! Wow.
The crazy thing is that sometimes we can force it, as you did with the stems. And yet, we know it’s not the way. And choosing to trust, instead of force . . . this thing you’re doing is big. Very big.
Hugs to you, Sandy.
Love your hugs, Lyla.
How beautiful, your words….your heart and your tears. God is with you.
Thank you, Cynthia.
Often the path is littered with pain–very true. And very hard to comprehend at times.
And yet His plan is perfect. Thanks for coming by.
your photos are beautiful…just beautiful. And I agree with not being able to force someone else to grow. No matter what the circumstance waiting on God brings about the perfect results. His.
Thank you so much, Alida.
Beautiful imagery, photographs and words. Relinquishing control is a hard lesson to learn. One I am sure will take me a liftime to master, if then.
Thanks, Cecilia. And me, too.
I have been in this very place, Sandra — I feel and hear your pain and frustratio and anxiety. Sending my love your way and praying that you round the corner into his embrace!
[beautiful, beautiful pictures, by the way].
You’re a good friend, Michelle. Thank you.
Inspiring. Love the pictures, too.
Thank you so much, Gayle. Welcome.