trusting God

God and Gold Country

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

This past week I took myself to Sutter Creek in the Gold Country of California. It’s been a while since I have taken a solo trip. When my kids were much younger I would go off on my own for a couple of nights to relax, refresh, and do my thing because that’s how I recharge my battery–time alone to simply be, clear my brain, and have conversations with God.

There might not be huge revelations, deep theological dives, or life changing decisions, but there is always renewal and that precious time with Jesus which so easily gets back burner-ed, cut short, or missed by life’s demands.

The trip to Sutter Creek wasn’t long, but it required taking roads, some of them small and remote, that I wasn’t familiar with driving. As the date of my trip came closer I started to feel fear and uncertainty. The excitement I felt at getting a little vacation with some delicious food, good coffee, relaxation, and fun shopping in a beautiful area started to sour.

The insidious voices of fear and worry began whispering that it might be better not to go, that the roads were remote and twisty in places, that I might get lost or have car trouble, that someone would know I was alone and bother me, and the list went on of all the things I fear. These voices know the things that scare me and they know why.

As the voice of fear got louder, a beautiful, strong, safe Voice come in quietly, but with power and authority. This Voice reminded me that He is always with me and that I would not be alone on those small, remote roads. His Voice said that there was nowhere I could go that He would not see me and no place I could go that He had not already gone on before me. He whispered to my heart that I was safe, and He was looking forward to time with me. “I can do all things…nothing is impossible with God…He will command His angels concerning me and they will guard me and lift me up…” filled my mind.

I decided to trust God with myself. This is something I have had to choose to do again and again in my 50+ years. I’ve lived through some hard, painful, and terrifying things in my life, as we all have at some point. He has gotten me through every one of them. Not without scars, memories, fear, and issues with trusting people and Him, but I’m here.

My trip to the Gold Country was just right and perfectly on time. Jesus and I had good conversations and I feel renewed. He gave me the gift of answered prayers, safety, and the confidence and courage in myself that I hadn’t realized I’d lost. I can do things that feel hard, I am capable, strong, and smart because He strengthens me and holds me to His heart. I can discern His voice and trust Him.

What treasures He has for us when we let go of control and just trust Him with us! It’s beautiful, freeing, and such a blessing.

He Hears Our Prayers

~ Extravagant Hope ~ 3 Comments

David’s confidence and assurance that when he prayed the Lord heard him and WILL answer encourages me. I love his boldness! David doesn’t say, “I think He heard me and I hope He will answer.”

David doesn’t tell the Lord all the different ways He can answer the prayers and give Him a carefully thought out to-do list. David simply believes and trusts that God WILL answer.

I have been known to get stuck in a pattern of worry and control when I pray. I already have an idea or plan in my mind of how my prayers should be answered and the issues worked out. I rehearse and overthink trying to forecast the outcome. This doesn’t promote trust, faith, and belief that God knows what He’s doing. It’s fear and self-reliance trying to micro-manage whatever circumstances are happening around me.

I’ve gotten much better in trusting God with me, those that I love, and all the trials, and situations that enter our lives. It isn’t easy and it takes effort. It takes remembering all the times God has answered prayers, maybe not how I envisioned, but how He knew things needed to play out.

He is good. He is trustworthy. He is safe. He’s your protector.

I’m so thankful that He knows what lies ahead. He isn’t worried, fretting, fussing, and asking for myriad opinions on what He should do. He is God and He knows.

I have learned and continue learning, that He’s got me and is right there with me for every single thing that I go through. Nothing is wasted and nothing is random. I trust in His goodness and His love for me and mine. I don’t always understand His ways. He tells us that we won’t, but to trust Him because He loves us. He in enough.

Whatever it is you are praying for, trust Him. Believe, even if that belief is a wobbly, flickering flame, that He hears you, sees you, and has a beautiful, mysterious, perfect plan just for you.

Eyes on Him

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I came across this verse this morning. The gentle and sweet way it landed on my heart, bringing a pinprick of hot tears to my eyes, reminded me that Jesus knows what is going on and how it ends.


For many of us there are seasons, however long or brief, where we simply do not know what to do. These 13 words were a soothing and compassionate balm to my soul – healing, hope, and rest. He’s got this. There is nothing I can do and nothing that I have to do.


He will sort it, He will heal it, He will protect us from it, and He will get us through it.
Keep your eyes on Him, my friend, just that. Nothing more is needed. We can rest.


You are so loved. Peace be with you.

Unfailing

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Psalm 143:8 NLT

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”

This pond in my neighborhood is one of my favorite places to walk and get a bit lost in nature. I love how the trees and flowering bushes change with the seasons. It’s something constant in an ever changing, rushed, and often chaotic world. I have had many conversations with God here. It feels a sacred and holy. I know I will find Him here under these sweeping, sheltering trees with the beautiful filtered light that shifts and shades.

How comforting and safe it feels knowing that every morning Jesus has a new, unchanging, unfailing love for me and for you. It hasn’t diminished overnight or faded away. He hasn’t moved on to the next best thing or lost interest. Every morning without fail He is there and He always will be. Through stormy seasons of doubt, fear, anger, and unexpected changes, and through seasons of peace, calm, and joy. Unfailing.

If we trust Him with us, if we give ourselves, and our plans into His hands, He will be faithful to hold, guide, and deeply love us. He will show us where to walk. His staff clears the way of obstacles that tempt us to give up, go around, or follow the wide, easy way. In the freshness of the morning, we can hear His voice calling out to come and talk to Him, and walk with Him along the pathway He’s laid out just for us.

I pray you will find a sweet place where you talk to Him, listen to Him, and choose to trust Him as your guide and best friend. Unfailing love. It’s yours, if you choose to lean into it. You are so loved. Peace be with you.