The Gift of Balance

From Amie's Desk

This past week, I went to Bible Study with the older women again; they are such treasures to me! One dear lady came up to me after the lesson to tell me she was praying for me. 

She said:  "My balance isn't good. I've been having difficulties with my legs again. This makes me think of you. When I think of you, I'm reminded to pray."

It's not necessarily what I would choose friends, but it's what God uses. When we begin to struggle ourselves, we become more aware of others who may be struggling around us. 

If a person's struggles with balance cause her to think of me, praise God! I need all the prayer I can get!

If my faithfully showing up at Bible study causes one person to gaze more deeply upon the One who faithfully walks with me, praise His name!

He is exalted when we remember Him...

He is exalted when we remember each other...

Problems with physical balance aside, we all need Him every single day... whether we admit it or not. We are weak, but He is strong. 

May the Lord be exalted in my life, whatever it takes.

May the Lord be exalted in  the lives of the women I reach out to, whatever it takes...

May we continue to bless each other and speak encouragement into each others lives, whatever it takes...

He is faithful and He can use us for His purposes to be His instruments...whether we have good balance or not...

May He get glory and may others see Him while they are keeping company with us...

This is my hope and prayer.

Amen.

Pacing and Striving

From Amie's Desk

I have decided again today: I want to live in a season of bold answers. The kind of answers found within the hymn Christian, Do You Struggle? The last stanza of the hymn, inspired by Andrew of Crete, says:

Christian, do you wrestle those who taunt and claim, 

"Why keep fast and vigil? Prayer is said in vain." 

Christian, answer boldly: "While I breathe I pray!"

Peace shall follow battle, night shall end in day.

I want to live my life in such a way that prayer is as natural as breathing  I want to rely on the boldness of the Holy Spirit when I don't have a boldness of my own. I want to keep close watch and vigil on my everyday life so that I don't miss opportunities to watch God at work. I want the discipline of prayer as way of life even if my way of life is not so popular, practical, or realistic to others. I can't help but think my life would be different and uncharted if my eyes were even more focused upon the King and His will. 

I do need to live with the confidence that peace shall follow battle and I need to keep my armor on. I need to to don the shield of faith every day and have my sword always ready and steady. I need to know and be reminded that the night of this life will not last; I need to keep pressing on in the firm hope that dawn is even now on the horizon. My natural walk may be a shuffle and a step-drag, step-drag, but my spiritual walk can be as competent as a runner who has found her stride. My pace need not waver as the finish line draws closer because my source of competence is not myself; it is supernatural. The God who knows me is the same One who enables me and He is able to do more than just keep me slogging along. He can cause me to sing and sing boldly. He gives me life and He calls me to live it boldly: sharp and strong, wise and humble, advancing feet yet worn-out knees.

Inhale and exhale, in and out, contract and expand, thoughts, prayers, and breaths all coming together in opposition to anyone who might stand against. 

Fearless and beautiful in the middle of a weekday afternoon... 

We have it.

From Amie's Desk

I was lying in bed very early this morning when a verse came into my head I've never really considered before. 

I looked up the verse reference on my computer several hours later and sat back in my chair, mystified: 

"With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." (Psalm 18:29)

Weirdest verse reference from out of nowhere I've ever received in my life. I guess I will really have to trust God on this one because He knows I cannot even climb a flight of stairs without assistance. I have zero military intelligence and no tactical finesse. My sense of direction is just awful, and I don't consider myself skilled at overcoming physical barriers. I have needed help all my life and perhaps this verse is one of many ways God is reminding me I  already have it. He has it. Together, we have it. 

When I go forward in His strength, I won't somehow be duped. I won't be disappointed. He will not let me down even if others take up against me. He will make a way for me to do all the things He calls me to. He will give me provision, guidance, peace, and sustaining grace. He is not a God who delights in creating obstacles and barriers; He is a God who delights in removing them.

By His grace, He will keep providing friends to help me in my journey.
By His grace, He will keep me from feeling alone even when I am.
By His grace, He will hold me when I am weary.
By His grace, He will give me whatever I need whenever the enemy draws close with his taunts, claims, and lies.

The God who has kept me on crutches, moving forward, all these years is able to help me handle whatever comes my way in days ahead. He possesses knowledge, strength, and ability I do not.

He can help me advance against troops and leap over walls (like the psalmist) if He has to...By His grace, I hope He never does...