The summer began with me soul weary. Then God confirmed a word He had spoken to my heart in an amazing way. The words He had said to me were, "God will surprise you". All summer long He has truly been surprising me, in the way He is working in my life, in my husband's life, in our church. He has been surprising me in the way I see Him answering prayers for people in our life. (For example, four couples we are close to have been blessed with miracles regarding buying a home of their own in one of the hottest seller's markets in the nation.) He has been opening up opportunities for ministry for us, besides our full time ministry in our own church. For me, personally, He has refreshed me and renewed me after a time of extreme soul weariness, and we haven't even gone on vacation yet! Throughout the summer He's awakened me earlier than usual and met with me in sweet ways. He's spoken to my heart powerfully on my walks. As I am experiencing and enjoying Him, He is restoring my soul. Glory be to God!
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Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)
#8764-#8791
8-8-16-
-answered prayer regarding a closing date on our friend's new house
-texts from my husband who is in Ghana
-a walk in the summer drizzle, listening to a Ravi Zacharias podcast
-my grandkids
-dinner and heart conversation with some friends
8-9-16-
-another unusually autumn-like August day
-a wonderful Nana adventure day
-buying a cozy new sweater with my birthday gift card
8-10-16-
-a foggy morning that gave way to blue skies and just a few puffy white clouds
-a fun lunch with my friend and her son
-sweet grapes straight off the vine
-a perfect half moon as the sun was going down
-a fun evening at the park with my youngest grandson
-him meeting a little friend his own age there
-the cute way he chirps, "I'm fine!", any time you ask how he is
8-11-16-
-my husband begins the long flights home today!
-puttering around the house so everything is nice for his homecoming
-a sweet prayer time at church
8-12-16-
-a safe drive to Seattle to pick up my husband and son-in-law
-"Hi Daddy!"-youngest grandson so excited that his daddy is home from Africa
-being together with my husband again
-our friend's house closed and they are moving in!
8-13-16-
-a beautiful hawk flying right in front of me on my walk
-running errands and grabbing dinner out with my husband
-going to see our friend's new house
8-14-16-
-a powerful morning at church
-lunch with friends
-a relaxing Sunday nap
still following,
Such beauty coming from your grateful spirit!
ReplyDeleteI love the way God surprises us when we least expect. I'm so happy to hear that your soul has been refreshed. I'm beginning to experience that, too. I've been soul-weary for so long - deep weariness - and this last week His refreshing began to show. Because He is faithful and He answers prayer. I've even picked up my gratitude journal and started that again! You are always such an encouragement to me, dear friend.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
I love the way that you are so honest. I have been soul weary for several weeks now, and I'd love God to surprise me with refreshment and renewal. Praying for this, even as I continue to strive to be grateful each day. Thank you for your encouragement...
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
So thankful for what you're sharing here, my friend. May God continue to bless and refresh your spirit.
ReplyDeleteFound myself exhaling as I read your gratitude list. Profoundly beautiful.
ReplyDelete