Ever-Present

Justin, Anabelle, and I went to Traverse City on a spontaneous get-a-away last weekend. There is something special about breaking routine, not having Internet, being surrounded by nature, and of course quietness. I think this was God's way of prompting me to ask Him some tough questions that were lingering in my thoughts. If left unspoken, these thoughts can easily allow the Devil to breed discontentment, anxiety, doubt, and fear in my heart. I am SO thankful that God graciously allows us to be vulnerable and honest with Him. I really believe He honors these kinds of conversations. As long as we come before Him in reverence, never forgetting who He is. King of Kings & Lord of Lords.

I poured my heart out to Him like my life depended on it. I found myself wandering from one thought to another & sharing feelings I wasn't even aware I had! His words for me as I rambled on and on were simply "Be still & know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

I brought marriage & parenthood before Him, His reply, "Be still...I am God"
I brought our family's needs before Him, His answer "Be still...I am God"
I brought JRoad's needs before God, His answer "Be still...I am God"
I brought the needs of hurting friends before Him, His answer,"Be still... I am God"

How badly I needed to hear these words! As I read Psalm 46, I thought of how much our lives have changed in the past 3 years (family & ministry related). Through each change, God has remained our constant & consistent REFUGE, STRENGTH, FORTRESS, and EVER PRESENT HELP! I find so much peace and confidence in this truth. Only God knows what the future holds for our family & Jericho Road but we can trust that He WILL remain FAITHFUL!

There's more:

When we got home from our trip, I found this Psalms 46 commentary:
"This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times....let not those be alarmed who are led to the Rock, and there find firm footing. Here is joy to the church, even in sorrowful times. The river alludes to the graces and consolations of the Holy Spirit, which flow through every part of the church, and through God's sacred ordinances, gladdening the heart of every believer. It is promised that the church shall not be moved. If God be in our hearts, by his word" (biblegateway.com)

This was God's answer to my prayers for Jericho Road. It is His church & His dwelling place and will be graciously present even in the worst of times and no matter where we end up meeting. I don't know the details of my husband's wrestle with God when ministry gets tough. As his wife, I always feel the need to share my highly emotional opinions & throw bible verses his way to keep him encouraged. The truth is, God has given him all the encouragement & peace he needs. Justin has such a high level of trust because he knows that "God's church shall not be moved". As a reward for trusting, I believe that God has given him a super-natural ability to be emotionally & spiritually stable & discerning through the most difficult moments.


"4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day. " Psalms 46:4-5