Have you come across a pretty picture, a great quote, artwork, or even a Bible verse that you thought was unique or special in someway and you pinned it?  Just because?

Somewhere online I came across the artwork of Peggy AplSEEDS.  I love the spirit and style of her art.  And yes….I had a pinning frenzy.  You’ll see if you visit my Pinterest board.

This morning I went to my boards to pick something to share on Facebook.  This sweet piece of art was inspiring and encouraging to me.

 

Inspirational art - You alone are God - Peggyapl.blogspot.com

 Peggy AplSEEDS

 

And then I read it again. And felt the power of the words.

Do you have a mountain that needs to move?

My husband and I surely do.  We’ve arrived at a new point in our journey which I have been hinting at recently.

Here is a question I wrestled with.  What is the point of this curve ball that has been thrown at us if not to glorify God?

People lose jobs every day.  People stay unemployed regardless of their diligent hunt and countless interviews. Every. Day.

I don’t understand.  We’ve been in this place before.  For 2 years and 4 months to be exact.  It almost killed me.  And when we were hanging from a thread that stretched us to the very breaking point, God gave us a reprieve.  A 14 month reprieve.  I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that reprieve.

Going back in time…14 months plus 2 years and 4 more months…you can do the math….people constantly said and believed, “God must have something really good ahead for you.”  Sometimes those are just words people say to be encouraging.  But, I really think that many of our friends truly believed that.  After all, Romans 8:28 is true.  I believe it too.

Today I have a new perspective.  In my heart I know God is going to do a good thing.  Something amazing.  But, it’s not about me, though I will be the recipient.  It’s about him.  He wants to orchestrate something that will show his goodness, his glory, his greatness.  He wants to do something that only he can do.  Something that will have all of us saying….only God could do that!

Here’s the scripture passage that Peggy drew from when she put her inspiring piece of art together.

 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. 17 “It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.19 Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.”                2 Kings 19:15-19

 

“Now, Lord…deliver us….so all…my know that you alone, Lord, are God.”

That is my prayer, too.

What is it that you need God to deliver you from? Will you join me in praying and trusting God for something that only he can do?

This kind of praying and trusting is like the craziest, breath-taking thrill ride you’ve ever been on.
Only this ride….it’s not on some man made contraption.  This ride has you in the palm of God’s hand.  If you’ll let him.

Will you?

 

Joy Day! - Woodland lichen & moss on tree - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

It’s Joy Day!

 

The day we set aside to count gifts that God has allowed in his divine providence to pass through our lives.  We count the good gifts, and we count the things that we would rather not be thankful for…but count anyway…in obedience.  Paul, a great leader of the early church, wrote to the Thessalonians, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV.  Those words are for us too, even today.

Please join me in counting….just seven from the week.  

I’ll start: I’m thankful for…

  1. Fleas and a flea comb
  2. God’s provision of food, heat, and shelter, this week
  3. A spark of creativity
  4. Greater glimpses of God
  5. A daily encouragement from a different friend
  6. The invitation to church and dinner with friends
  7. Being featured on Tidy Mom

Now it’s your turn.  Rock your Joy meter!  Scroll down to “Share Your Thoughts” below and count your seven. I love to hear from you. Know that I read and respond to every comment.

 

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In the palm of HIS hand…

Diane

Sharing with Inspire Me Monday + Playdates with God + A Holy Experience + Titus 2sday + Women Living Well + Our Sheltering Tree + Imparting Grace + Katherine’s Corner + Missional Women + Spiritual Sundays + The SITS Girls + Fresh Brewed Life + Inspire Me Monday

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Comments

  1. Sheryl says

    I am do thankful for your post. I sure needed those words of encouragement! And yes I am on a journey as well and needed to be reminded of his promise….I have to remind myself also…That Gods definition for your perfect life is not always yours….Take care and God Bless!!

    • Diane says

      Oh Sheryl…God is sooo good to use our difficulties to encourage another. I guess that’s what it means to bear one another’s burdens. {hugs}

  2. Ann Miller says

    You were right! And it shows “meaning” rather than mere “happiness.”. God will be glorified by what he is going to do!

    • Diane says

      Ann, my friend…meaning. Sometimes that is what we hang on to tightly. His meaning. It gives us hope. And a future. {hugs}

  3. Vicki Patton says

    Thank you for your post today. I have been young now I am old(er), yet never have I seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread. You seemed to have learned a great lesson that I learned in the past…to worship or break into song BEFORE you see the break through. The children of Israel broke into song AFTER they were delivered through the sea and saw their enemy destroyed behind them. Its hard to praise when our backs against the wall and the enemy is quickly approaching. But believing is seeing. Praying with you and for you!
    1. I am thankful for a wonderful son who is so good to his mother in her older years. 2. Thankful for health for myself and my loved ones. 3. Thankful for a warm place to live and food on my table. 4. Thankful for my nice vehicle He has provided. 5. Thankful for my heritage of music. 6. Thankful for the Word which is alive. 7. Thankful for hope.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Vicki for your wonderful and wise words of encouragement. 🙂
      You are so gracious to pray for us. I am humbled and grateful.
      I’m so glad that you shared your ‘seven’ here. How blessed you are. Praising God for his goodness and grace.
      May your week be overflowing with joy and grace. 🙂

  4. Mel says

    Wow……….bless Vicki’s heart for saying it so well. What an excellent comment.
    And she’s right… I’m one of those ‘back against the wall’ people who forgets the light follows the storm. Your post and her comment, put things in perspective for me this morning. So thank you both for that.

    And my seven:
    * progress with the purple cast (it’s healing–wonderfully in the royal colours, I’m sure! LOL)
    * The wee tree we didn’t pack away with the holiday things which I will now decorate for Valentines Day! (thank you for some excellent ideas!)
    * The brokeness–it’s providing me with opportunities to really examine some things.
    * The beautiful 50 degree weather that let me step out into the sunshine.
    * The willingness and concern of the people around me.
    * More awesome sunrises and sunsets–every where I turn
    * The people who challenge me to continue to grow.

    Have a blessed week! And know that you’re being thought of and prayed for.

    • Diane says

      Mel…everyone needs a cheerleader and encourager like you in their corner. What a blessing you are to me. Your comments are like warms hugs each time I read them. Isn’t God good to use what we’re learning and experiencing for others, too? I love your ‘seven’ – what a heart of gratitude – seeing the sunnyside up through it all. So glad the healing is going wonderfully! Praising God with you today!

  5. laura says

    Peggy’s art is lovely. And inspiring. We have been on one of those thrill rides for a couple years now. Thanks for this perspective, Diane. It encourages me so much. I

    • Diane says

      My heart goes out to you Laura. If I didn’t understand that I was in the palm of God’s hand it would be a nightmare. Thanks for your encouraging words.

  6. My seven… Calm two weeks before we leave for a mission trip
    My middle daughter helping her three year old sister ride her bike
    The fact that the training wheels only cost $2.50
    58 My Little Ponies
    My husband comes home from a pastor’s retreat tomorrow
    Chocolate
    A chance to maybe sleep in a bit tomorrow.

    • Diane says

      Heather, thank you for taking the time to share your ‘seven.’ So many good things to make our joy meters rise. 🙂
      How exciting to be embarking on a mission trip. May your joy cup overflow!

  7. Hi Diane, what a wonderful post! Thank you! I am going to send this link on to my good friend who has been going through this UE issue for the past couple of years.

    I am visiting from Pamela’s blog, btw.

    Kathy Matthews

    • Diane says

      Oh Kathy, I’m grateful that these words might encourage another. God is so good. Always.

  8. Thank you for writing this encouraging post. I think a lot of times we KNOW these things in our head, but it’s sometimes hard to know it in our heart. We’ve been walking a difficult and different path these past 8 months. But I KNOW that God loves me, and is in total control of the situations. I am learning so much more going through this fire then if we had not. It’s far from over, but I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who loves me and cares for the ones we love. I’m thankful for Jesus and His redeeming love. I’m thankful that God knows how this will all end. I’m thankful for all the comfort I feel. I’m thankful that His plan is infinitely better then mine. I’m thankful that God WILL be glorified.

    • Diane says

      Oh Jocelyn, I’m so grateful that you found it encouraging. Yes…it is sometimes hard to put feet to what we know. The fire isn’t fun…but we’re only in it long enough to be purified…and not one second longer. You’ve blessed me by sharing your gratitude to our loving Father and His Son. May you find true amazing grace, and may your journey be filled with joy this week. {hugs}

  9. Sarah says

    Dianne, I super love your blog. I just came across it over at SITS girls. I’m going to need to poke around here a bit. I’m so excited about it!!!

    • Diane says

      And Sarah, I super love your enthusiasm and encouragement. {hugs}

  10. June says

    You have a wonderful, hard-earned, perspective, Diane. I can relate a bit. I pray that the Lord will continue to draw you to Himself. That through it all, HE, will be enough. Today I’m thankful just to know Him. Blessings.

    • Diane says

      Striving to overcome sadness today. I agree know God IS enough. And that’s where we all need to rest. Especially me today.
      Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughtful and encouraging words and pray, June. {hugs}

  11. Nice post! I’m visiting from SITS – I try to write something down in my planner every day that I’m thankful for and it allows me to recognize God’s grace. It’s amazing how it changes my perspective.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Andrea! I’m glad to hear that you keep a journal of gratitude. It’s amazing what a difference it makes!
      May your week be Extraordinary!

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