GIVEAWAY TIME!
Guess the number of gummy candies in the dish. Leave your guess in the comments on my FB author page ONLY.
Head over to my author page to see the pics!
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaGiomiauthor
The closest guess wins a signed book of your choice that I will mail to you.
Contest begins today, 4/8 – 4/11 8am PST.
“Bearing fruit each season without fail.” Hmm… Reading this verse feels hopeful. It feels encouraging; relief that despite seasons where nothing goes right, one difficult, trying thing after another happens, and you feel blindsided, and exhausted – even then we bear fruit. It may not be loud, obvious, beautiful fruit, but the scripture DOES say “each season.”
Maybe you are in a season, like me, where things are not going as planned or hoped, and you feel disappointed , and blindsided by events you never saw coming. It’s not an easy place to be.
I wonder if we slow down, breathe a minute, and look around us, we will see that there is fruit here. Perhaps it’s a fruit called trust, rest, patience, hope, letting go, or compassion for another who’s struggling.
God is with you in whatever season you are in right now. I know it doesn’t always feel like it or look like it, but He is. He promises to never leave us alone. He is the Promise Keeper. He is faithful and He keeps His promises.
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Isn’t it amazing that before we were born, God perfectly mapped out the twisty, windy road that would be our life journey? He carefully planned for every mountain, valley, and stretch of road, equipping us with exactly what we need for each roadblock we navigate and person we meet. He leaves nothing to chance. It’s all divinely orchestrated, this seemingly chaotic, yet beautifully crafted planet populated with humanity that is messy, precious, delightful, and completely known. Loved.
It doesn’t catch Him off guard when we worry, rehearse, and stress over our future. He knows we have plans, ideas, and dreams because He placed them in us. He omnipotently sees the path we need to follow to accomplish the purpose we were created to fulfill. Our journeys brush up against others following the road set out before them. Interwoven with blessings and kindness. A human tapestry that He calls His masterpiece.
I wonder, if like me, you question why and how you ended up on the road you are traveling. Sometimes it’s smooth, easy, and all is going your way. Other times it is not. You know the dreams and passions you have inside that are bursting to get out. You have things to do and places to go, but the road you are walking is not the one you would have chosen. The obstacles you have to overcome—pain, loss, loneliness, and fear—seem to serve no purpose. They feel so heavy on your shoulders. So tired, so weary…where is this road leading? How much longer do you have to struggle through?
I wonder if gratitude is the answer. It seems completely counterintuitive. It feels wrong and dismissive of the hardships, but maybe it isn’t? When I look back on my life, there are portions of my road that I disliked to my core. Seasons that filled me with fear, anger, physical and mental pain, and sadness. I saw no blessings there. I saw nothing to be thankful for, and I did not feel any gratitude for what I had to slog through. It felt pointless and mean.
I did make it through that season of life, but not without scars and memories. I wasn’t filled with the joy of the Lord or brimming with thankfulness. Definitely not. It was a road that I would not have chosen. But…
Now that I am past that part of my journey, I can look back and see that things played out the way they needed to. Those difficult sections of the path were necessary. Never minimizing or dismissive of the pain, but it is part of my life story. He holds my tears in lovely crystal jars, continually speaking blessings, prophesy, healing, and peace over them.
The lessons learned about God’s faithfulness, goodness, mercy, and healing needed to happen the way they did. Not everything turned out the way I hoped and dreamed, and He has helped me wrestle with that loss and disappointment. It is a blessing to know that parts of my life story have brought hope and healing to others who needed to see that scars can be beautiful, reminders that there is always light in the darkest of nights. The pain and obstacles others have faced have done the same for me. All interconnected and planned to bless and heal—a revelation of Himself. God does dwell in and bless the broken road that in our finite human wisdom we would not have chosen.
On a summer night when cricket symphonies lull and soothe as the moon sails high and pinprick stars wink…He whispers in dark, nocturnal rustlings with deep, supernatural words of mystery.
When the wind shushes and sighs through the Redwood canopy as you hike and soak in the forest…He whispers timeless songs of creation.
Opening your eyes as a new day starts, before the mad rush of living takes over and you savor your morning coffee…He whispers an invitation, “Come and talk with me.”
As you putter in the garden, trimming and admiring the flowers…He whispers promises of new life and a season of rebirth in the rich scent of turned earth.
When the day is done and your tired body falls into those in-between moments before you drift off to sleep…He whispers words of rest and speaks to you in your dreams.
Can you hear Him?
When your heart feels heavy, you retreat to the hidden bench under the willow branches that skim over the pond…His whispers of healing and hope perfume the air around you.
When the cruel, hurtful words sting your heart, and tears spill over and down your cheeks…He whispers songs of love and belonging. He captures each tear. You are His.
As waves crash along the lonely beach and you fling your deepest needs and fears to the relentless tides…His whispers become a divine exchange, taking your hurt and giving you Himself. He is enough.
Taking that first frightening, tentative step of faith into something new and unknown…He whispers courage and strength into your mind, spirit, and body. He is with you. Worry must flee.
With pain so deep and raw that you have no words or tears left…His whispers become intercession in heavenly languages, traveling straight to the Holy of Holies.
Can you hear Him?
When loved ones are far away and your mind is full of frightening thoughts and the chaos of the unknown…He whispers safety and protection. Their names are written on the palm of His hands. He speaks peace, and fear bows.
When the world is filled with injustice, cruelty, and division…He whispers compassion and authority—He is King. There are none before Him. Alpha and Omega.
When self-reliance has taken its toll and you finally unclench your fists and cry to Him in exhaustion…He whispers gentle songs of rest and comfort. All is well, He’s got this.
And…
On the lighter days, when the hurry is hushed and you sit under the apple tree, talking to Him, thanking Him, and whispering that you love Him, an incense of thankfulness, praise, and love rises and dances its way to His throne. As the sacred aroma swirls and fans around Him, He sings, shouts, and prophesies over you with blessings, peace, and joy. Can you hear Him?
Photo credit: Pok Rie
Proverbs 3:24 NLT
“You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.”
Good night, friends. The One who watches over you and the ones you love never slumbers and never takes His eyes from you. You can rest, you can let go and sleep in peace.
I pray you feel Jesus right there next to you, tenderly watching over you, speaking in heavenly languages about you, and breathing life and safety over you and those you hold dear. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords – you are safe with Him and so are they. Peace be with you.
Thin, wispy clouds veil the bright moon as it sails high. The moonglow shining in the chilly air illuminates the garden casting eerie yet beautiful shadows – mysterious and exciting. The velvety black sky is the backdrop for the constellations and planets tossed into place by Your hands. Your divine fingerprints are everywhere. Your words continuously breathing life into all things – renewing, revealing, restoring.
The cold, bright moonlight falls across my pillow bathing my face in its glow. Chilly air puffs in through the partly open window above my bed. My thin quilt gives just enough warmth to be cozy and lovely. It feels peaceful and safe. I’m seen and known, even in seasons of darkness and shadows You will find me. The Light always pierces the darkness. Things unseen are always exposed by Your light. I’m never alone.
I drift off to sleep covered by moonlight, surrounded by Your whispers in the nighttime breeze. Your fingerprints dance over my face, my heart, and my spirit soothing, revealing, renewing, and healing. Hope flows and intertwines with deep peace and unconditional love, as Your lullabies of compassion and mercy swirl and gentle the hearts and minds of those You adore and carefully watch as they slumber.
“God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”
Is there a mountain in front of you today that seems impossible to climb? With God as your Guide and Shepherd you will get to the top of it. You will stand upon that mountain and see all that He brought you through. You won’t lose your footing because He is right there protecting you. Rest from the climb is coming and the view from the pinnacle will be breathtaking!
Father,
I lift up the one who needs some peace today. The tug of to-do lists, others’ expectations, and lack of restful sleep has them at their breaking point. The exhaustion is smothering and they just need a place to breathe. Please intervene, Jesus. Speak calm to the chaos, silence to the demanding voices, and peaceful rest to the tired mind and body. Your presence dispels worry, pushes out fear, ushers in joy, and delivers them into a spacious place of safety. The pressure that stifles is lifted. They can breathe You in. The fragrance of Your breath as You speak life to their soul is scented with love and peace. It is full of healing. Thank you for meeting them right where they are and wrapping them up in Your arms.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
Extravagant Hope 