grab a kleenex and let it snow

It snowed last night, and I cried, a lot, not because of the snow, but because of what the snow reminded me of. 

Yesterday was one of those days. One of those ones when you stare at the clock and actually watch the seconds pass. Easy things were difficult, difficult things were difficult. I was tempted to despair and in the drama of the day I was praying for sustaining grace. I was driving home feeling very discouraged and a little bit like I got kicked in the face. I was driving home on the highway when it happened, it started to snow, big, chunky, pure white flakes. In minutes  the evergreens where white and I was crying. 

This scripture has been weighing heavy on my soul lately...

[Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.] 2 Cor 12

Yesterday was the Lord saying, 'Let me show you how weak you really are. Let me reveal your lack of boasting in me.' The Lord used the snow yesterday to say, 'Look at my power, look at how it's made perfect in your weakness. Boast in it Als, enjoy the beauty of my sustaining grace. Just like the snow I make all things new. I cover over your weakness. I'm enough for you.'  

Father help me gladly boast in my weakness. It frees me from condemnation and paves the way for me to understanding your love more clearly. Lord I am weak and I wander from the truth of your gospel. Bind me to your cross so that I may find life. Guard my heart and mind. Your grace is all the sustaining I need, but oh how I need it! Show me your faithfulness and your perfect power today. 

good morning america

This morning I got up early and dropped dad off at the Bellingham airport. I had some time to kill so I hit up a starbucks and found myself in Jeremiah.

[Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.]

This is one of my favorite passages in scripture. It is rich in imagery and dripping in promise. It's a breath of life in days of discouragement and it's a slap in the face in days of self sufficiency. 

The first time I read this I couldn't get the imagery of a of a tree that's wrinkled with age.  It's trunk is bent, leaning slightly down towards the stream; as if it's longing for even more of the refreshment that the water brings. The tree is worn but beautiful, the layers of tough bark have been weathered down by storms. So much so that the grain in the wood is exposed and smooth. The appearance of the tree has evolved and changed over the years, but the structure remains strong. It's roots still run deep into the stream and delivers youthful strength to the entire tree. This tree is planted by water so it doesn't need to consider weather patterns, it doesn't need to anxiously watch the skies for signs of refreshment, it's secure. It's life comes abundantly through it's roots growing deeper everyday, into the stream. 

Father, I need to be reminded of this image. I need to remember that you have planted me by the stream. I'm secure in your promise to faithfully provide, you are the river that refreshes my soul. You are using storms and uncertainty to peel off layers of tough bark and pride. You're after my heart. Lord rid me of  the anxieties in my heart. Help me to stop staring at the skies anxiously waiting for rain when you have all  ever need. Crush the lies that spring up when the temperatures rise. You promise to provide all I need and keep my leaves green, you promise great fruit for those who's trust is in you. 

Thank you for planting me by the stream. Grant me grace to always find my life and joy in your glorious flow.