Confirmations

It is always greatly encouraging to me when I am given confirmations about some of my thoughts and plans.... especially in the times when I am trying to discern if it's a "Linda Original" (God help us!) or if it's me really hearing His will for me. It's as if I am hearing God say "Yes. That is what I mean."

There have been several that come to mind this past year, but I'll just share one or two.

The first one took me a few days to realize - thank God, or I would have fallen out of my seat or ran very fast from the room. I had agreed to meet with the interpreter at church for the first time. I was nervous. She was nice enough, but I'm not a big 'stranger' person, and definitely not a big up-there-in-front-of-people person, and if I were going to interpret, there I would be. She walked in to the room, and the first sign she showed me was "Up until now". I didn't think anything of it then. At home, a few days later, it hit me. "Up until now", in English, also translates "Thus far". My key phrase which always reminds me - I have no idea where we are going from here, but Thus Far, God has been with me.

The next example came shortly before my return to the State Park. I was at an event of Priscilla Shirer's. It was the worship portion of the program. There was a song I didn't know. But it had a phrase in it that I needed to hear - over and over again. And then she said these words:

"I'm here to declare to You that my past is over"

After that there was no NOT going. I definitely needed to. Whatever would happen would happen. I just needed to show up.

And most recently at church. It happens frequently, actually. The pastor will speak about something I've just blogged about (I mean JUST blogged about - that morning or the night before) - or something that I've been thinking about.

This week was the end of the year summary, look forward to the new year sermon. Many, many of the plans for the church - including some of the words and phrases that he chose to speak - are plans that I have decided for myself personally.... even in situations where the phrases have somewhat different meanings for a person, than for a church, hearing the words back, provided confirmation.

And as I was sitting there, listening - with my eyes and my ears - it occurred to me, how supremely blessed I am to be in a place where the corporate goals are so similar to my personal goals. It was again the "Yes. That is what I mean" that encourages me to continue to focus on the growth and continue on the path that I am on.

Thank You, God.

Press into God

"Press into God," she said. I didn't understand those words at first. I heard them at a bible study where Priscilla Shirer was telling us to "Press into God"... but, I mean, how does one "press into God"? It's not like we can crawl into His lap, and really, truly, lean our heads on His chest...

Then I kind of laughed as I remembered how many of the members of my congregation have 'caught' me - nestled between two trunks of an old, old oak tree.

I am a very kinesthetic learner - I am experiential. I like to DO things, participate in my world. I like to climb up and FEEL the tree: the solidity of the trunk, watch the branches dance in the breeze, experience the texture of the bark (and, no... it's not a picture of me... I was barefoot....but it IS the tree).

"Press into God". I think also of the days when I was first remembering God and delighting in His presence. I remember the mornings at the trestle bridge, where He would brush the hair out of my face...and I would lean into the wind.

"Press into God". The moments when the world has been turned upside down, and everything that used to make sense, doesn't. That's when I wish there WERE a way to crawl up into His lap, and feel His arms surround me.

Ah... but there is...the wind, the trees, the grass beneath my feet. All reminders to me of God's ever-presence in my life. All reminders that I am divinely loved, cherished, cared for.

Yes, there are days when the connection is harder to find, when the distance seems too great. The days when the shame is unbearable and the fear is overwhelming - when the idea of a relationship with God seems impossible.

Those are the days, when I most need to remember to "Press into God" - to lean toward Him, seek Him out. To trust with all that is within me - and sometimes borrowing the faith and hope of others - that God is still with me - "stalking" me. Not once letting me out of His sight. Not once.