If you ask God to take you on an adventure.....if you ask him to show you things you never knew about yourself or things you know but need work, buckle your seatbelts and prepare for an amazing ride because;
"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
Epiphany - the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles
An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphanea, "manifestation, striking appearance") is an experience of a sudden and striking realization. ... Epiphanies are relatively rare occurrences and generally follow a process of significant thought about a problem.
Epiphany is an “Aha!” moment. ... Often, an epiphany begins with a small, everyday occurrence or experience.
When I began to put together thoughts in my mind about the last 47 days, as was in the beginning is now at the end, my prayer was/is, "God, reveal to me what it is you want me to learn/share?" Since what God has shown me is unique to me, it may or may not resonate with others but that is not my "job"........my "job" is to share and if God works my experiences through others that is HIS "job". All the glory and honor are HIS not mine. I am merely a vessel. Among the many things I've learned which I've shared in previous posts, this one is THE single biggest, overall "issue" that I have. Prayerfully, I will do better. I heard it....I saw it....I felt it....now to take it and apply it!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I was in my newly remodeled kitchen, cleaning, rearranging, putting things away and the thought came to my mind, "How in the world has this new space become SO cluttered?" Looking back just six months ago at pictures I had such an excitement of how beautiful and spacious it was.....and SO clean...so new...I was so very blessed. What happened? It had lost that open, spacious, clean look. And I realized I had allowed it to become cluttered.
cluttered: to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness....
TRUE! 100%! So I began to "untangle"....removing the small TV sitting on the counter....placing the fruits and veggies in a place unseen.....removing various signs and "knick-knacks" and such that I've added since moving back in....remove, reduce, revive.
You might say, "Dianna, it's just a kitchen" but remember, God wastes nothing....if I'm listening.....
And just like that God revealed to me, "My dear child, you've cluttered your mind with disordered things that impedes MY movement and reduces MY effectiveness in your life".....That epiphany, my A-HA moment, REALLY took my breath right there standing in my kitchen.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
.....which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.....
Is that me?!
My heart....seriously, my heart was crushed at that moment. That I had "cluttered out" my Savior! The One who created me! Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! ←Read that again! 😖 Everything I NEED, everything I could ever WANT.
I've been retired for nearly two years already and what a blessing that has been in so many ways. One of those blessings being that I am slowly falling into new patterns. And one of the downfalls being I am slowly falling into new patterns.
Sigh.....
Because I had no choice in becoming a widow in an instance, I am grateful for a slowing down and flowing into this new change. But I don't want to be like a horse or mule that must be curbed by a bit or a bridle to stay close to my Lord. 😩
Has that slowing down suddenly shifted my focus? Certainly I did not retire to scroll through social media ad nauseum? Certainly not! What other ways am I impeding God's movement and reducing his effectiveness?
What do I want my MAIN focus to look like? The desires of my heart are to serve others and serve in my church. What does that look like? What does it look like in my everyday, small town life? As I rest in HIS will for my life I'm beginning to see his provision. It's exciting at times, overwhelming at times and quiet at times. I'm learning to lean into Him who is able and to release that which I cannot nor want to control. When it's exciting, I embrace it and "ride the wave". When I am overwhelmed I stand firm knowing that He will not give me more than I can handle. And when it seems quiet and I start to feel inadequate, lazy, left behind, disconnected I remind myself that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
AND in His will is freedom. In His will is peace. In His will is rest. In His will is a calm I haven't felt in nearly six years. 💔
All of that said, I am thankful for the journey. I am thankful that God is faithful. I am thankful that I am a constant work in progress. I am thankful that I have not "arrived" and that I continue to learn every single day. I am thankful God never gives up on me. That I never have to feel like a lost cause. I AM worthy. I AM a child of God. Forever and ever. Amen.
And so concludes my 2021 Lenten journey. What an incredible journey it's been. ❤️
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