Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Finding God's Presence ~ A Strong Message of God's Love

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

I held the warm coffee mug, cradling it with both hands as I stared out the window, thoughts swirling where they shouldn't go. Deep thoughts of anxiety and fear had no place in my mind that was learning to yield to the transformational renewing of Christ, but days like today I succumbed to the invisible crooked finger beckoning me to come and dwell in misery. So, without a thought of Jesus and His unfailing love, I stood at the window cradling a warm coffee mug and let my thoughts have their way.

My gaze landed on the grape arbor standing alongside our home. Winter's barrenness clung to the ancient vine. Russet brown tendrils wove in and out of the supportive frame, tangled  and wrestling for a spot to grip their bare fingers. I thought of my life that, lately, had seemed barren and tangled as I gripped my bare fingers around the foundation I had worked hard to build. My foundation stood, but did I have the strength to continue gripping while all around me lay shards of a broken life? 

Would the One in whom I placed my trust flow through my dormant spirit and bring new life?

A flash of dusty blue motion caught my attention. It stopped at the far end of the grape arbor. Could it really be a bluebird? No. Surely not. But then a brighter cobalt blue darted toward the birdhouse on the arbor's post. He poked his head into the circular opening, turning his head back and forth. His dusty blue mate joined him, taking her spot on the perch and looking inside. The birds took turns hopping from the perch to the roof and back to the perch again. 

I felt elation.

Out of the corner of my eye I watched as not one, but two male cardinals also darted in and out of the tangled grapevine, their crimson coats brightening the dismal gray of the day. I leaned forward to get a better look. There on the backside of the arbor were muted shades of blush scampering across the russet brown ... two female cardinals following their mates

O Lord, You really do love me with a tenderness that takes my breath away! Thank you. Thank you for the hope of new life among the barren, russet browns of this winter season. All of creation sings Your praise and declares Your glory. I, too, will sing praise to Your Name. Color me with joy as I find my way through this barren landscape. Flow through my dormant spirit and bring new life.

And as if this wasn't a strong enough message of God's love, He had another gift of hope for me. There on the side of a stump made planter gripped a red-headed woodpecker! I felt tickled to no end. God in His infinite goodness knew how to make me smile.

Within minutes of my discovery, the birds were gone. 

But their blessing remained. 

The One in whom I placed my trust flowed through my dormant spirit and gave me hope for a better tomorrow.

"Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! 
And break out in singing, O mountains! 
For the Lord has comforted His people, 
and will have mercy on His afflicted." 
~ Isaiah 49:13

A Tweetable to Encourage Others




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Would you like to be a guest blogger on Morning Glory? I'm looking for those who would like to share how you found God in your darkest moments. Contact me at nan@jubilantlight.com and I'll send you the guidelines. I look forward to hearing from you.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to worship along with David Crowder as he sings, "Oh How He Loves Us." What a wonder it is to spend a few moments offering praise to the Lord.

8 comments :

  1. I needed this today Nan. My thoughts have not been on the good and the true and I've just wanted to bury myself beneath blankets to shut out the world for awhile. Instead here I find hope and comfort and color. (And what do you? The sun just suddenly came pouring into my window) :-)

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    1. The Lord knows exactly what we need right when we need it. I am forever grateful for His tenderness. I'm glad it encouraged you Marcie girl :)

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  2. Only Jesus can change the landscape of our broken hearts and restore them agan, as He most certainly is Doing For your life Nan. Thank you Jesus for putting a smile on Nan's face through the beauty of the beautiful birds you sent to brighten her heart and for song you continue to sing over her. Thank thank you Nan For sharing.

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    1. Glenda, you are too sweet for words. Thank you for your kind words. I've thought about those birds several times today. The Lord knew just what I needed when I needed it :)

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  3. Nan, I LOVE how you write....you bring words to life. I am not a particularly visual person in that I instantly get visual images from words but I did with this wonderful blog. Keep writing, girlfriend. Share the wonder and the gift that is Jesus.

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    1. Judy, I'm so glad you stopped by. Thank you. And thank you for your kind words. I hope you're doing well.

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  4. Thanks, Nan.
    These Seasons of Winter (both internal and external) take such a toll. But a blessing of His Word today (Matt 6:26) is so sweet to bring you (and your readers) hope and joy. Let's support one another to keep out the dark, keep in the Light -

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    1. Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. God is so faithful to His children. His love amazes me. I'm so glad you stopped by.

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