Last week was laying low and staying quiet.  I stepped back for a few days from writing and 40 bags and a lot of other things.  I reflected on God’s promises and gave thanks for the knowledge of His presence with me.  I spent Saturday exercising my creativity around our home, something I haven’t done much of for years.  (Thank you, Pinterest.) 

This morning clouds hang low outside, casting grey quiet on the city.  My girls still sleep, exhausted from the time change and a birthday party and just not getting the sleep they need for a while.  I am thankful today for this flexibility.

Today I start the week with giving thanks and remembering some of God’s promises from this past week.  Promises for perseverance and trust in His faithfulness, for He never fails us, never lets us go.

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.  – Hebrews 3:14

Often the last step is the winning step.  In Pilgrim’s Progress, the greatest number of dangers were lurking in the area closest to the gates of the Celestial City.  It was in that region the Doubting Castle stood.  And it was there the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber.  It is when heaven’s heights are in full view that the gates of hell are the most persistent and full of deadly peril.  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. (Galatians 6:9)  “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (I Corinthians 9:24). ~ Streams, March 5

The greatest challenge in receiving great things from God is holding on for the last half hour. ~ Streams, March 5

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. ~ II Corinthians 4:1

When I cannot feel the faith of assurance, I live by the fact of God’s faithfulness. ~ Matthew Henry

How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will You hide your face from me?

I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:1, 6

Only five verses separate the verses above.  In just four verses, David’s attitude went from questioning God to praising Him.  What changed?  At first David was in despondence, looking only at the enemies he faced.  Then he asked God for help and remembered God’s power and love.  When he considered who God is and what He had done, he saw his enemies from the right perspective and began thankfing and praising Him.

~ Samaritan Newsletter, November 2011

Waiting, trusting and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain.  Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most.  Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me.  Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me.  If you mouth the words “I trust You” while anxiously trying to make things go your way, your words ring hollow.  Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to your inheritance in heaven.  However, the benefits of hope fall fully on you in the present.

Because you are Mine, you don’t just pass time in your waiting.  You can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust.

Jesus Calling, March 12

1639.  still hard times

1640.  being on the same page

1641.  progress

1642.  closet updates

1643.  working as a family

1644.  husband who serves with love

1645.  praying for hard hearts to be softened

1646.  a God who hears and heals

1647.  a productive Monday

1648.  a week’s worth of meals prepped

1649.  bread and granola – home made goodness

1650.  sisters who help each other with school

1651.  puzzles to work

1652.  closet forts

1653.  quiet

1654.  “tickle parties”

1655.  squeals that could shatter glass (and eardrums)

1656.  oldest child laughing ’til she cries

1657.  smells of spring

1658.  thunderstorm

1659.  reading in bed

1660.  adoption nesting

1661.  Thursday’s

1662.  stretching one week of groceries into two

1663.  project ideas

1664.  running as snow falls

1665. fat, wet snowflakes

1666.  photo booth and the six year old

1667.  parent interview completed

1668.  laying low most of the week

1669.  feeling His peace

1670.  a Pinterest-y Saturday

1671.  Skype and my sweet girl on the computer screen

1672.  quiet Monday morning

May your week be filled with gifts of rest, love, and laughter.

For His Glory ~

~ Sara