It's Officially fall in Oregon. The rain that has nestled in and is making itself at home here for the next 9 months! Oh how I love the Pacific Northwest. There is nothing cozier than the rain drops racing down the window, comfy clothes, warm blankets, a good cup of coffee and a flickering candle. This my friends, is exactly how I am welcoming the fall into the Libby home today. It's perfection.
More than anything else, I am happily welcoming in some structure, a reliable schedule and the hope of being settled and completely moved into the farm house real soon... Truth be told, I have never been more glad for fall. I love the summer but this summer was overwhelming. I wish I could say that I have everything together. Maybe one day I will wake up and miraculously be a morning person. Even better, I wake up with ability anticipate what each person in my house needs before they even say the words or know it themselves. That would eliminate about a thousand questions that I repeatedly field all the live long day. Or, maybe more realistically, one day I will be the perfect manager of our home, budget and my time... but until that day, life sometimes overwhelms me. I know that I am not alone in this, and I am certain that whatever God has called you to in this season, you can believe He has equipped you for every bit of it. I need to believe it every. single. morning. when all six of the Libby's are lined up and fighting for mirror footage and sink access in our ONE bathroom now! Lord have mercy! This life is a grand adventure. And right now, the Libby's are making some memories as we adjust to a lot of new normals. Truly, the joy of The Lord is my strength! I have to laugh about it all, or I would be straight up crazy. I am pretty sure that's why the Lord calls us to be joyful in all seasons. It's for sanity's sake! So, that's what my life as come to... Laugh about it or be crazy.
Putting all the crazy aside, hands down, my journey this summer has been one of trust. I may be able to laugh at my life right now, but it's because I have walked through a season of learning to let go and trust The Lord. Yes, I do have to learn this over and over in deeper and truer ways all the time. Isn't that how it goes? Our grasp on things gets a little looser every time we see that His ways are higher than our ways. He proves Himself over and over again. Living our lives open handed becomes a little easier the more we KNOW Him. I can laugh and find joy in all the madness because I have experienced God's unfailing love, steadfast goodness, faithfulness, complete provision and supernatural peace.
Each of us are on a journey, we are in different places and overwhelmed by different things. This life we live on earth is not an easy one. Sometimes it's just down right hard and completely out of our control. But one thing remains. God is good and God is God in every single one of our lives. Our job is to KNOW God and His Word so that we can hold onto truth when life is overwhelming. These are some of my favorites. I hope and pray that they can encourage you too as we press on, claim His truths and hide His Word in our hearts.
- Anxiety and worry:
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
- Alone and Discouraged
Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."
Genesis 16:13a "She gave this name to the one who spoke to her: You are the God who sees me"
-Sin and temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin."
Psalm 65:3 "When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions."
Psalm 86:5 "You, Lord,are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you."
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
- Weakness and inadequacy
2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefor I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
- Brokeness
Psalm 147:3 "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wound."
- Trials
Isaiah 43:2-3a "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Psalm 61:2 "From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
