he is setting us free...
Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we can now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Roman 5:1-5)
"It can be worth it. We can be shaped by the winds of trial with a confidence that we will give shelter and life along the way. But as C. S. Lewis said, "Probably this will not, for most of us, happen in a day; poetry replaces grammar, gospel replaces law, longing transforms obedience, as gradually as the tide lifts a grounded ship" (excerpt from Allure of Hope)
We can become tender or hard in this perseverance. Don't we as women desire to be tender, to be a shelter for others. It's there even if we have buried it along with so many other desires. Sometimes it's buried under layers hard as steel that were created for protection. I choose to stay tender, Lord help me stay tender, to be a safe place when the cracks begin to appear in masks long worn.
Friends, tomorrow begins my church's Visual Journaling Retreat.
We are driving just a short 2 hours north to a beautiful, peaceful place.
Will you pray for us?
Pray for hearts to be open, that there will be sweet times of fellowship with each other and rich times with God.
That the women will come away refreshed knowing their hearts were met by God.
That this may be the beginning or continuation of healing where needed.
Where eyes and hearts are open to areas that need addressing.
Where forgiveness may need to be offered.
Where areas of strongholds may be weakened and broken.
Grace, peace, and love to you my friends!
9 comments:
Praying for a great retreat, Mary! Love you!
Praying for you...have an awesome weekend, praying right now
Prayers, love and light accompany all of you. Enjoy.
Have a wonderful retreat. Know you all will be blessed.
May all of you have a blessed time!
peace be the journey:)
love and grace,
Jen
Mar I know your gentle, tender heart honored God during your retreat. I have no doubt hearts were open and receptive as you shared the message of God's love. My prayers continued to include safe travel to and fro dear one.
love you sis.
Pssst. Visited Mom yesterday..she's doing well and I see a sweet gentleness in her...makes my heart sings sis!
Oh came to see how the retreat went, I am sure you are recovering. I hope you get a chance to see my kitchen...the colors reminded me of you!
I hope you are resting from an awesome weekend.
Yay for retreats! They are such sweet, special times. I just go back from my church's women's retreat, and it rocked. I can't wait to hear your retreat stories!
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