Snowed In: Beauty in the Barren

Today, I awoke and begrudgingly pulled myself out of my comfortable and warm bed. As I prepped my coffee and waited for it to brew, I was stopped for a moment by the stillness. I peered out out my window and there was fresh laden snow and ice. The neighborhood was quiet. There was barely a stirring. I, unlike most, had to report to work. I didn't get the luxury of sleeping in or taking a morning off.

But there was a gift in the midst of the stillness. The gift was stillness (though I didn't realize it until now).

Complete.

Quiet.

Stillness.

In my life, I am always filling the silence. The silence is uncomfortable for me. Even in waiting for tasks to be completed or for a friend to communicate with me, I oftentimes fail miserably. I get uncomfortable. So, I try to fill the silence with noise.

But what the situation calls for is what I'm trying to avoid--stillness. Silence. Meditation. Thought.

Over the past few weeks, I've had different situations come up. Change is apparent. And the Lord is crying out to me: Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know. Be still. Be.

All you've ever needed is found in me. It's found in the quiet moments. Wait. Don't try to push the door down. Wait for me to help you open it. My timing is perfect. For that conversation. For restoration. For desires to be fulfilled. For you to hear my voice. But you need to be still and expect that I will move. Trust me. Don't be afraid of the barrenness. Don't be afraid of the stillness. Embrace it. And watch me move...

And so just as the stillness echoed throughout nature today, so my heart is being disciplined to do the same. I can't control it all. It's all in his hands. My role is to trust and to lean heavily upon His strength--not my own.

So thankful to find beauty in the barrenness...

Overwhelming Beautiful Grace

But as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." -1 Corinthians 2:9

I'm breathing in your grace and breathing out your praise! -MattR

Jesus is all about relationship. When we're in relationship, we learn each other. When we are in relationship with Jesus, we learn him. And we can't help but begin to reflect him! -Hellen Willett

My heart has been stirring over the past month or so. Specifically, over the past month, I've been reflecting and meditating more deeply upon the goodness of God. Within the lives of others, I'v
e witnessed excelled growth and hunger for Jesus. And I can't help but stand and respond with praise.

Are there still areas of breakthrough I know that Jesus wants to plummet through in my own heart and in the lives of others this year? Yes! But as I wait for Him, my strength is being renewed. My heart is being restored, refreshed, and I'm realizing something: Every moment is a gift. Relationships. Finances. Health. Spiritual revelations. It's all a gift! Every second. It's all because of HIS grace! 

And as this truth moves from my head to my heart, I can't help but praise Him! Regardless of my circumstance, I am seeing--I am witnessing--I am a testimony of His goodness. And so are YOU!

And what's more--just like all of creation, we are not meant to walk in this alone. We are meant for fellowship with one another--to pour into, to laugh with, to cry with, and to be vulnerable, real, broken, honest with those around us. Because we are God's workmanship--prepared in advance for HIS good work! We, as believers and followers of Jesus, are meant to SHINE LIGHT into a darkened world. We're meant to be an offering of praise and to BURN for others to see and know the beauty and glorious HOPE found in Jesus.

Every place you put your foot. Every person you speak to. Every physical responsibility you have before you--you're meant to exude and seep with the beautiful aroma of Christ!

And NOW is the time. It is the time to discover the ever-present hand of a good and sovereign God and how He is closer than we could ever imagine. He is near! And it is time for us to recognize this truth and to walk in a deeper reality of that truth.

As you lean into the love of the Father, may you be overwhelmed by his unfailing love and grace and expectant that He's near and he will show up and show off!

Praying with each of you...