Exhortation to Patience and Trust

April 28th, 2023

Hello ~

It is good to write and share with you, my friends and family. I have been resistant to writing for some time now, the ideas and topics are simply waiting for me to “be still.” I need to embrace the words that are waiting to be released.

Recently, I spoken with a friend about being more disciplined with my boundaries, my writing and my devotions. As my friend responded, she ask for clarification of “disciplined” my response was to be more consistent in accomplishing them. There’s not a day that goes by that I am not aware of God, I am thankful for all His blessings. I read books by authors who share their faith and relate life stories using scripture references. My theology has deepened through books where the author is authentic and honest. I am currently reading, “The Genesis Trilogy” by Madeleine L’Engle and it is amazing. I love a phrase that she uses often when describing her work, “I am not a Christian author, I am a Christian, who writes.” I love that! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a Christian author, but in reality it does limit one’s audience, by definition.

Yesterday, I began using a new daily devotional book called, “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” by Elizabeth George. My very dear friend, Nancy gave me this as a gift.

God’s timing is always on time.

Each of us have personal battles we often fight alone. The alone part is a choice, I know this and yet I still often fight alone. The stigma that to ask for help is real, as if asking is a sign of defeat. None of us ever have to fight alone, God is with us. “Note to self/remember this!”

The first devotion I read was called, “Stop Complaining” now that’s timing!

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Then tonight I read Psalm 37 and it felt like the words of David were speaking directly to my heart. Lately, I have found myself frustrated with just about everything. It is unhealthy to keep such toxic thoughts and feeling bottled up, they need healthy release. I’ve learned over the years change is hard but necessary. I know my frustration will not all leave me at once, humans can be very stubborn. Baby steps, so I will continue my devotions, read my Bible, listen to my audible books and begin to write again. Practice being still and listening for God’s voice. “Patience and Trusting.”

I also want to say a special thank you to three of my favorite bloggers, please check their sites out for yourself. When I see a new post from these women, I smile 😊

http://growingupsideways.blog/

https://janbeek.blog/

http://simplysoulsearching.com/

Psalm 37 (NRSVCE)

Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.

Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.

But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those who walk uprightly; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.

The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will abide forever; they are not put to shame in evil times, in the days of famine they have abundance.

But the wicked perish,and the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

The wicked borrow, and do not pay back, but the righteous are generous and keep giving; for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

They are ever giving liberally and lending, and their children become a blessing.

Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever.

For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones.

The righteous shall be kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice.

The law of their God is in their hearts; their steps do not slip.

The wicked watch for the righteous, and seek to kill them.

The Lord will not abandon them to their power, or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.

Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked.

I have seen the wicked oppressing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.

Again I passed by, and they were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found.

Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable.

But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.

The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

https://www.biblegateway.com/

~Charlotte, Seeker of Hope — Psalm 62:5