Leave your worries on the doorstep
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear the pitter-pat
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade with my blues on parade
But I'm not afraid...this rover's crossed over
If I never had a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade with them blues on parade
Now I'm not afraid... this rover has crossed over
Now if I never made one cent
I'll still be rich as Rockefeller
There will be goldust at my feet
On the sunny, sunny side of the street
.
This week has been abnormally warm and sunny - it's
been so wonderful! My mood has gotten so much better. The sunshine has
filled me with life - I am alive and motivated!! I've recently been
caught up in the little things, and have been truly blessed by
the simple. Let me just list them off for you:
sidewalks in parking lots, home-brewed ice-tea, the
urge to not hold back a smile in the most inconvenient moments, actually
studying for a test and passing! new music, driving alone with windows down, warm weather making everything better, scared but doing it anyway, drinking a glass of water when I'm really thirsty, going a way in a book, breathing fresh air in lungs, holding onto a friend's prayer, going on long walks, letting my thoughts dream on.....
Writing this post brought me back to this song. Lyrics were in my head for weeks, after first hearing it. Definitely brings a simple elegance to one's heart.....
One night, when I was about four, I asked God a simple request: help my future husband. I left it at that, and then continued down
the list of people to lift up (which at that age, were anyone who’s face I
could recall from that day). I certainly wasn’t an avid prayer warrior....but the "lay me down to sleep" method was just enough to draw me deep in God’s heart for something to stick. I can’t
tell you the date I started this prayer for my special someone, but I can
recall as a kid occasionally wishing a happy day for that guy that’s some place
out in the world. And even in recent years, I still have invested some precious prayers
into the man of my dreams.
I don’t even have a name picked
out, nor do I hold an image of his figure...I'm not concerned by that. Somehow, not knowing makes it that
much more romantic. As a young single woman, I've set down boundaries. Even with my controlling-need-to-know-everything-now mentality I
am content in this area of knowing that there’s an unknown day when there will
be a spark with Mr. Right. For now, I am content with just praying, “help him”.
There has been a high value of marriage in my heart. No
doubt that God planted it there from an early age. More so at my recent age, I’ve seen how
much Jesus has taught me. I am so thankful for the way He has brought me into a
position of knowing the value of matrimony. We all have our delightful journey,
but I am very much enjoying this path He has me on.
By giving myself to Jesus first – before any man – He has
shown me greatly what it means to give myself to a man. In relationship with the Lord, I’ve been up some mountains and
walked across some valleys. I have struggles, joys, tears, wonders, etc…and it
all brings glorious treasures.
A while ago, I wrote in my journal a glimpse of the
status with Christ and the status I have with my somebody. With this
being heavily on my heart and with the relevancy of me taking the truth out
of my heart, I’ll set out a portion of my words:
Lord, help me do this.
You’re exposing me right now. I do not like this feeling of being opened up.
But tune me into Your Spirit. Draw me in to the same pattern as You. Carry me
in. Carry me in. Carry me in.
I see myself walk through the
front door of our dwelling place. I slide off my worn sole shoes. Hang my coat
in the closet. I turn to the hallway towards our bedroom….yet collapse out of
exhaustion. I lay down for just a moment. Only rise again when your arms lift
me up off the floor. You carry me in. You prepare me for a nights rest, place me on the bed,
and wrap your strong arms firmly around me. You do not let go…your grasp does
not lighten. Finally a rest from the day. Here in our sanctuary, in the midst
of each other’s arms we find each other - no matter what life circumstance.
Though some days we sing, cry, laugh, speak straight truth…today we just
embrace the presence of our love. We find grace for the moment. We dwell in the
foundation of our relationship, and the promise of what is yet to come for us
both....
So Lord help me
tonight. Help my future husband. Somewhere under the canopy of stars, he is my
love. May he know that I am here. Just as You, Jesus, have planted truth within
me, seed within him too. Let him know, some place within, that he is not alone.
Tell him of the wife You hold FOR him. And so, remind me of this wife I am
titled as. I am the one whom his arms will be around; the one who will go to
him in the beauty of the glories of life’s adventures. I am the one. When my
heart is troubled, I will go to him. When my being is bursting with giddiness,
he will be the first I share the giggles with.
Let him know that as
his wife, I will submit to his direction; I will uplift and encourage him on as
he pursues You God. I will care for his wounds when we return from the
mountains. I am that woman who will give life to babies. I will nurture children
with a mothering touch. I will not manage to be perfect, but by my vow I will
be adorned by the Spirit. A reflection of your heart was placed within my being
before my time existed – so may I pursue that reflection deeper.
God is my Director in
life. He is my refuge. The place I trust. Just as I have walked with the Lord,
so I will walk with my husband. Together we are being prepared for such a
wedding feast! When I reflect on the romance I have with you, Jesus, let me see
the relationship established for my husband. Since I have had days when I fall
at Your feet, and days when I have danced delightfully…may the days when I
fall before my husband and when I dance with him be similar. Be our guide in
our married life. Bless my husband. I can see it will be an extravagant
romance. May we have pure hearts…no matter our past…let us be pure in heart and
thought. I give all that’s within me to You Father, because You’ve helped me
open up….and when that special day arrives, help me open up the doors to him as
well.
8The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever--forsake not the works
of Your own hands.
When I am going through a trial, I tend to take
character for granted. And even more so, forget that character is what urges me
onward to arrive at the season when I reel in what I launched into. At the same
time, it’s a challenge because A) that season could be decades after I prayed
into it. B) the answer may not be what I had planned or intended on. How ironic
is that!! The receiving part even requires character to form!
Prayer is the key!
Prayer is our spirit’s phone.
Anytime of the day the line is wide open.
The further I journey off with Jesus, the further my eyes
see into a revelation. Sometimes we sail to the deep waters, other times we
explore the vast mountains! Wherever I go … and there is still so much out there
to seek out…I have this relationship with my Beloved Redeemer. Standing in an
attitude of prayer connects us.
A few days ago, after an unproductive day, I was prepared
to soak in a few pity puddles ,and then drift into sleep! But then I started to
press in. I declared that my Savior is my strength. I opened up the Word – went
straight to the Psalms (aka my dialog former). I declared that it is not by my
weak arm, it is not by my bow that I have victory, but within my God. It is
from His arm and power that I move and breathe. Instantly, I was refreshed, and
turned my eyes up to Him. This ability to call upon His name is constant piece of gear in my walk . . . . most days I call it my life support!
The time in my life when I first really embraced my convos
with God was when I went to Corporate Prayer Night once a week with my mom. I
brought a pillow, note pad, and bible. Usually I observed, and jotted down what
was on my heart. Though, at 8-12 years old, I was clueless to how my soul was being
seasoned – I was being seasoned anyway. Years later, I am able to see.
What’s simply exciting: I can picture where I am now. I can visualize
the things I know I am being developed in; envision the many things I am
unaware of, and know it will be revealed to be glory for my King!! Even the
past two weeks, I see immense improvement in the most random, unspoken areas of
my prayer life. The Lord knows where my heart is at, even when I am uncertain –
He knows – and I am certain that He knows how His purposes will work out for
the greater good of all things. His amazing works are unpredictable, but His
hands are oh so faithful!!!
I listened to a message today, and I found this quote to be
fitting right now: “Faith brings an answer; enduring faith brings an answer
with character. Character is the container for the answer – which prevents the
answer from spoiling.”
Our God is beyond our thoughts, and plans. He is responding
for all eternity.
