Isaiah 66:9

 

 

One of the verses that I have clung to in the last few months is Isaiah 66:9 - "I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born, says the Lord." I've whispered it to myself every day. I've written it in my journal. I've pinned and repinned it and put it on my Instagram. I have held it as my mantra.

 

As time has gone on, I have been able to see where God has allowed something new to be born. I have watched my oldest learn how to stand on her own two feet. She was so wrapped up in her best friend that she wasn't her own person, she was starting to see herself as her-plus-best-friend. I see her branching out now - going to dance every week on her own, trying something new (Girl Scouts) without the safety net of that best friend. I've talked to her about how important friends are, but how it is equally important for her to rely on herself and God for everything.

 

I've regained a relationship with my mom that I have been wanting for the last year. I have my mom, and I am so blessed by her presence.

 

My relationship with God has changed and deepened. When I had my tribe at my beck and call, I tended to fall back on them a lot more than I did on God. Sometimes it is easier to rely on people who you can see and touch rather than God, and I definitely fell into that trap. In all of these ways, I have seen God allow something new to be reborn. How can I doubt His wisdom and unfailing love for me, when I can see his blessings in my life over and over and over? Daily I see evidence that He is with me and he is preparing a path before me.

 

And then today. I'm a big fan of signs. I believe that the white overexposed spots on photos are a little hug from our loved ones who have passed. I believe that when I have had a rough night and a sad morning, that the extra bit of red and pink in the sunrise is God telling me life is beautiful. I believe that a random message from a friend wasn't random, but God putting some encouragement in my path at the moment I needed it most. 

 

Today I looked out my back window and saw a few flowers blooming in a pot that I had let die almost three months ago. And I believe that it is God saying to me, "Here. Let me physically show you that I always allow something new to be born."

 

God's hand is in my life. It always has been, but now my eyes are open and I'm looking for all of His blessings. When the sadness comes, I will look at this picture on my phone and remember that God is right here. He will hold me through it all.