restorer of lost voices

Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” John 15:4 (NIV)

The weeks of rain had washed away my hope for autumn foliage. Hues of brick red, burnt orange, and cheerful yellow were but a tease. Even our small garden was unproductive, the apples had dried out and the pumpkins had rotted early. I recalled the brilliant colors of other years. They were bittersweet.

The wet, gray season seemed to reflect my physical and emotional and spiritual well-being. I didn’t look forward to the bitter cold and the slick conditions that came with it. I could hardly walk as it is. But God had led me on a journey to trust His lead and purpose.

As I flipped through pages of old journal entries, and considered how God had spoken to me in the past, I came upon the following prayer I’d written several years ago:

Lord, help me to live close to the floor, on my knees. Help me to seek you above all others. Loosen our chains of bondage, break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. You free us. You heal us with your Word. You have rescued us from the grave!

Through my tears I grinned, then I wrote in today’s journal, “Lord, I didn’t mean literally!”

If you could see my view of late, it is pretty near the floor more often than naught. On my best days, it’s because I’m “camping” in a makeshift tent and “mowing” fields with my grandchildren. On my worst days, I’m trying to dust and clean and tidy up as I scoot around our home on the floor. My knees aren’t healing as fast as I’d like, but I can smile.

Sometimes, in order to heal and stand in God’s strength and confidence, we must first bend low and behold the perspective of the weak and broken one. I accept my low seat. For I know God is with me.

Lord, when we dread the winter, our days lack color, and our feet are unsteady and the path seems unclear, remind us of your faithfulness. Help us to fix our gaze upon your beauty, and to be mindful of the the trees where we find shade. Be our garden of rest. And let your calm surround and settle our troubled thoughts.

Thank you, Jesus, for your storehouse of provision, protection, and sustenance,

Lily Mae

But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, and those who forsake the Lord will come to an end. Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen. For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away or as a garden that has no water. Isaiah 1: 28-30 (NASB)