His compassions were new each morning for me, as they are for you! I saw God's faithfulness to me day after day as I struggled to accomplish even the simplest of goals. I was reminded that His love is rooted not in who I am but in who He is. No amount of failure or success would change His love for me. He is the unchanging God. And He gives good things to the heart that seeks Him.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."*
The journal continues...
Today, the clouds are resting low on the mountains. As I sit out on our second story deck, overlooking the rolling green hills of the pasture, I feel as if I am in the very middle of the clouds. Such restfulness and calm, mirroring my very soul as I consider all my God did for me yesterday.
A large financial need was provided. A deep burden of my heart for my husband was resolved. My children had strength of character, were obedient and going above the tasks I had assigned. Though tired, my spirit was full of energy and zest for life. I was not watching the clock as we gave baths and laid out clothes for Sunday morning. I was enjoying my children! The effect was so strong that I jokingly said to my husband, "There are higher powers at work here."
Once again, God grabbed my attention and showed His power in our life. I searched my mind (and day) to find what was different about today, but realized so evidently that this all was truly from God. A gift. I did not do anything to encourage such a beautiful, amazing day. God was active even when I was weak.
We have such little faith. We always think we have to give God a hand—that so much is dependent on us. Practically speaking, we had a financial need that we prayed about casually, but considered often and in our lack of faith thought maybe when income tax returns come, we can take care of that need. And then, God just gives it, because He can! Teaching me that the same is true of change in my children, change in myself and the deepest longings of my heart. God can provide. He is YAHWEH-JIREH [Genesis 22:14].
This dare is not my key to change. In fact, all my efforts to change are useless if they are rooted in self. This dare is a means of 'keeping the heart,' surrendering my mind daily to the purposes of God. The key to change is FAITH...believing in what God can do when we give Him freedom in our home. Believing that prayer is REAL and powerful. That even when I am weak, my cry to God for help to change—my longing for His purposes to flow within me and our household like a living stream—does not go unheard by my gracious, good God. Seek and you WILL find [Matthew 7:7-8]. It is a promise we can build our lives on.
My Dare:
To allow God to provide for each day's need. Rather than being a slave to the clock, to my desire to succeed or impress, or to my high expectations, to be at rest, calm—surrendered to the control and sovereignty of God.
If you are struggling to see real change in your home, join me tomorrow as we dare ourselves to trek on to a place—the only place—where victory is sure.
*James 1:17 ESV
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