Thursday, June 05, 2008

REST

That was a really tough month. Whew. Glad it's over. Here are my text notes after it all:

Pruning ------------------Winds
Dolby Surround sound -----Armour
Firey Arrows -------------Prayer Warrior
Camera Angles ------------Tree Roots
Storms -------------------Attachment
Planting vs uprooting-----Streams

If you know me at all you can probably identify all of those items in my experiences. If not, well, you can guess....but I would have never been able to put the pieces together if I hadn't lived it myself. I still have a tough time putting it all together to make any sense of it.

Right now, I'm "soaking my feet" in the immeasurable bounty of God's love and faithfulness. These feet have been marching on a battlefield as of late. For today, these things are past. For today, God has granted me not only a deeper view of Himself, but also of myself. A battle for exactly what, I'm not sure yet. It could possibly have been just for my peace of mind, but I think there was more. I may never know for sure because I believe I stood firm...stood the test.

If I were a word-smith, as some bloggers I know are, I would write it all down and have your full attention. I would tell you the incredible tale of where I've been and I could write of the unbounded mercies of a loving, powerful and protective God. However, it would have to include the hard work, the commitment it takes to stand firm, to prepare for battle. In the end the story would end with these words:

peace like a river--------- joy set before me
promises kept --------------confidence
intimacy -------------------experiential knowledge
and lack of the right words

What a peaceful place on this porch, resting my feet in the joy of the Lord. The sounds of the birds are a symphony and the bending & swaying of the trees in so longer a replica of my struggle, but in fact, a soothing massage to my soul.

Rest....aaahhhhh.

...there beneath the blue suburban skies...