Faithful

The song plays in my head over and over, like His faithfulness: never ending- never ceasing.

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Yes! We have made it to the mountaintop! I am done with maintenance chemo and so thankful for God’s healing.  Looking back over this past two years my heart just resonates with these verses from Matt Redman’s song. He has done so much for us and I just want to give Him the glory.

As I look back his faithfulness was so evident.

Jehovah-Nissi-  our banner of encouragement

Jehovah-Jireh – our provider who meets all our needs

Jehovah-Shalom – our peace in every situation

Jehovah-Rohi – our shepherd and guide

Jehovah-Rapha – our healer from every disease

Jehovah-Shammah- our ever-present help- always with us.

I have seen His faithfulness throughout my life, but going thru the cancer battle I came to recognize it so much more. I know I could have never made it through without Him being with me every day- every step of the way.

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Phil was with me as much as he could be. I know he would have been with me every moment – but there were some places he wasn’t allowed. Even though I had to enter some rooms alone, -never once was I truly alone. The Holy Spirit was with me.

When my thoughts would torment me He would speak a word,  when I needed courage He would provide it.  When I thought I couldn’t take anymore He would hold me in His arms and reassure me that He would bring me through. He was always there.

Do you feel alone in your struggle?   Does it seem that no one cares?

God loves you and is with you.  Ask Him to walk beside you.  Take His hand and let Him guide you.  Sit with Him and read His word and He will instruct you.  Praise Him and He will lift heaviness and depression off you.  Tell him you can’t do it and instead let Him do it.  Lean on Him, He will hold you up.

When I look down at my belly I see the scars- not pretty to the physical eye -but to me, a thing of beauty, for they serve to remind me of His great faithfulness!

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once!  He was and is always there.  Oh praise Him for His faithfulness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=722zPX1npcA&feature=kp

Deep Roots

I needed to repot my Jade plant.  It had grown too tall for the pot it was in and was leaning terribly- ready to fall over.  As I lifted it out of the soil, I saw the reason for it's off-kilter position.  Although the plant was a foot tall, it's roots were very shallow, barely an inch deep.  It couldn't stay upright and centered with such a small root system to hold it in place.

What a different picture to see the root system of a wild fig tree in South Africa with roots that go 400 feet deep.  Roots going down deep- that’s what I want.

Standing strong for years, though nature’s elements come against it – that is my desire.  Year after year unmoved when erosion and age set in-let this be me.

Oh Lord, I want to be like those majestic trees with roots that go down deep into the rich soil of your word. When strong winds come, let my roots hold firm so my faith won’t be uprooted.  When fear and doubt try to push me over, let my roots spread out even further and take in nourishment from your unending love. 

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;

he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Psalm 92:12-15

When my roots are strong and healthy in the Lord then I will be able to let my branches reach up and spread out so that I can give shade to the weary. As I remain rooted and grounded in Him I will bear fruit to help those in need. 

Thank you Lord for this promise.