God’s comfort

“Blessed  be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our affliction,

so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction,

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

As humans, I think we have a certain idea of what comfort is or what it should be.  A hug that wraps us up in the arms of a friend, words that dare us to hope again, even just a simple smile or hand on the shoulder: all of these are ways that we seek comfort.

But what does comfort from God look like?

Honestly, I don’t even have the words to describe it, nor even the ability to fully understand what it means to be comforted by God.  I do know this though.  When we are comforted by God, there’s a peace that washes over the soul.  Strong enough to make our obstacles pale in comparison and gentle enough to be found in a quiet yet persistent whisper, God comforts of with the assurance of His love and the promise of the Gospel.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice…

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.  

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4,6-7

Thanks for being patient with me, especially since it’s been so long since I last wrote.  As always though, I thank God for you and hope that He will fill you with a sense of His comfort and peace in whatever it is that you are going through.

With warmest thoughts and prayers,

Sarah 🙂

“Numbered hairs”

“But even the hairs on your head are numbered.”  — Matthew 10:30

You are special.  Tell someone else that they are special too.  Now then, go out and spread some SONshine on this beautiful Sunday!

–sarah 🙂

 

 

 

Ramblings before my last, first day of school

I can hardly believe the next few words that I’m about to write… Tomorrow is the first day of my senior year in college.

Yesterday while in the bookstore, I realized my (relative) age.  Two guys–obviously Freshman by their wide-eyed staring at the textbook section–waited in line to receive the books they had ordered online.  I recognized the look on their faces because I too had stood in their shoes.  Going on four years now, I have walked in them from class to class, meeting to meeting, meal to meal.  Is it really almost time to trade in these aging shoes for a new pair?  And if so, what will they be?

As a tour guide/student worker for the University, just about everyday I am asked the exact same question, “What are you going to do when you graduate?”  Since there are about three things that I can honestly see myself doing once May rolls around, I tell them one of those three options.  Deep down though, I know that this is a question that I cannot answer exactly, at least not yet.  After all, so much can change in the answering of a phone call, the opening of a letter, or even the shaking of a hand.

———————-

With all of my heart, I truly believe that we experience different seasons in our lives to show us more and more the character of the God we serve.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.  Romans 8:28 also says that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose.

In a time of need, we could learn that God will DAILY provide for His children, just like He did for Moses while wandering through the desert (Exodus 16:4).  In a time of distress, we could call on the Lord and hear Him whisper to us as He whispered to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12).  In a time when we fail, we could see that His grace is always greater just like He explained to Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Even in a time that we realize just how great He is, we could witness that even still, the heavens cannot contain Him; this was the realization of Solomon when dedicating the temple (1 Kings 8:27).

We could experience all of these things, but FIRST, we must open ourselves up to Him.  Trust Him and be moved as His Spirit leads.  Always, He will work everything out for the good of those that love Him, even if it may seem painful or difficult at first.

Thanks for reading my ramblings today, and I hope and pray that somehow, God will speak to you in whatever season of life you are going through now!

Praying your day is filled with Sonshine,

Sarah 🙂

Handprint in the Concrete – Praying with Expectation

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about prayer.  In these past posts, I referenced what the Bible says about prayer and asked the question, “What is the purpose of prayer?”  

These past couple of days, I’ve been learning about a new kind of prayer.  Maybe it’s not that it’s a “new kind,” but rather, this type of prayer has motives other than beseeching God’s goodness and mercy.  What’s this type of prayer?

Prayer of Expectation.

This prayer is portrayed in Mark 11:22-24.  Here’s what that passage of scripture says:

“And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God.  

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’

and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass,

it will be done for him.  

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it,

and it will be  yours.’ “

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When I was a little girl and read this passage, I thought that if I squeezed my eyes and clasped my hands hard enough, the horse I had always prayed for would be standing in the living room next to our shiny tree at Christmas time.  Seeing as how I still dream of owning a horse, that Christmas wish and heartfelt prayer of my childhood did not come true.  What did ensue from this though, was learning what it is that we can expect from the Lord.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.”  Can you believe that?!  How incredible of a promise is that!  The Lord will not only GIVE AN EAR to hear you ramble about your business plan, but He himself will mix up the Quick-crete concrete, lay the foundation, and get you to make a handprint in the concrete establishment of your plans next to His hand.  When we commit our plans to God, He promises us that He will establish those plans for His greater purpose.

What does that mean for us?

We can EXPECT God to fulfill His promises for us.

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“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

for the those who are called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

***

“God is not man that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.

Has he said, and will he not do it? 

Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” -Numbers 23:19

***

“And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken, 

I will do,

for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”  -Exodus 33:17

***

“O Lord, how manifold  (many/various) are  your works!

In wisdom have you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.” -Psalm 105:24

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Reader, you are one of His creatures.  Claim that blessing; trust His goodness and believe.  Today, pray with expectation…

Happy Birthday, Mammaw!

 

Yesterday, we celebrated a very happy birthday here in Grenada, Mississippi.  Mammaw turned 81!

With beautiful flowers, phone calls from loved ones, even a few visits from friends, we shared the joy of looking back on another year that Gerry Harden has been a blessing in our lives.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!” – Psalm 150:6

Happy Birthday, Mammaw!