Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41: 10 (NASB)
I made the call because I knew I needed to and just listened. It has been that way for a long time …words spoken in a rush and I can almost see his pacing. Filler words with little meaning and they leave me feeling empty inside. There is a disconnect and silence weighs heavy; there is a struggle to find something to say. We both tire from the effort of engaging…
I sat down with a heavy heart and turned my music back on and someone was singing, “It is well with my soul. I cried buckets as I wrote about boarding school, painful good-byes, and longing for a place! Throughout the day as I sat with my Father in heaven, He reminded me of His love and provision! I leaned into Him and knew , “All is indeed well with my soul!”
A friend called late afternoon and she could barely speak…silence…I knew something had happened! She was concerned for her parents. They had always supported her and now it was her turn to hold them up. I remembered them fondly, how they had taken care of her, and shown kindness to me. I longed for what she had….why she was hurting this day!
God brought to mind others in my life who affirmed my worthiness. When I helped organize a soup kitchen for several years, there was a father figure who worked with me washing dishes. He attended many events that I planned and had shown quiet support. God also reminded me of someone who I worked with on a flood relief team. He recognized my listening and counseling skills as I served coffee, meals, and helped the victims clean their home. He would often joke that he was glad not to have my job. I was just as happy not to hang dry wall! There were others, several who often asked me about my running and we traded stories of our achievements and physical injuries.
It was in the middle of filling buckets that I received a phone call from my youngest son, and realized that God does indeed provide. I sat for a time and talked with him about the hard stuff in our lives. This is what it is like to be held…
When some relationships leave us feeling empty and more broken, our God steps in…He brings people into our lives who help us carry our pain. We lean into Him and sing with assurance, ” All is well with my soul!”
Going forward bravely this day!
Lily Mae