It was a glorious day rocking on my front porch, sipping ice tea and listening to the birds call to one another. Gazing up at the azure sky last week I heard the Lord whisper, “the Sky is Blue.”
Then I remembered:
- The sky is blue
- The moon is round
- And the sun came up today
Those three statements bring such peace to my heart. It is the end of summer and the beginning of fall. In the Hebrew calendar it will soon be a new year, 5780 and in the Greek calendar it will be 2020. In both, it is the end of a decade and the beginning of the new.
It is a time to pull away with the Lord, evaluate the past year and the past decade, release the old and look forward to the new. But this past week I felt tired, hopeless and thought maybe I wasn’t ready for anything new. Sometimes the days ahead looked frightening for various reasons. At 71 I was thinking “What’s next, Lord?” Or maybe even, “Is there a next, Lord?” “How shall I face this next decade?”
Then the “What if’s” began to invade my world. What if illness comes? What if the provision is gone? What if something happens to people I love? What if? What If? You can fill in the blank.
Then the Lord whispered quietly, “The sky is blue. Even when the gray clouds cover it up, it is still blue.”
“The moon is round. Even when it appears only a sliver in the sky, it is really still round and whole.”
And the sun came up! “God says, ‘If my covenant with day and my covenant with night ever fell apart so that day and night became haphazard and you never knew which was coming and when, then and only then would my covenant with my servant David (and Me) fall apart.” Jeremiah 33:20, (the Message Translation)
His promise to never leave me nor forsake me is still good, whether 21, 51, or 71!
Today, look up. The sky is blue, even beyond the clouds, it is BLUE!
And even though tonight’s moon is only half-seen, it is really still round.
And His mercy is new every morning, because the sun always comes up. “Weeping may endure the night, But JOY comes in the morning.
So, my friends, face this new year and this new decade with strength and joy! He is a covenant-keeping God who loves you and has great plans for all of us in these coming years.
Happy Rosh Hashannah and an early Happy New year!!
AND HE STILL KEEPS HIS PROMISES! COVENANT
Sister,
That was beautiful and so comforting to know God and His Covenant always remains the same even when every thing in our world changes everyday.
Love your new website!
Love you,
Chalie
Love you sister. Always the same!
Very comforting as I find myself awake at 3:30am pondering why the Lord has me up. Praying for those who are having those moments of “ what if” like me. But one thing I know is true His Love Never Fails!
He has plans for us, Ruthie, plans to prosper us , not to harm us and plans for hope and a future.
Keep writing!
I totally get that Donna. Those 3 am ponderings can get ya! But God!! He has good plans for us!
So true, and something we all need to remind ourselves.
Thanks Michael. enjoying your podcast!
What beautiful words of encouragement, Ruthie, reminding us of what God has promised.
I woke to the same verse last night … “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” ❤️ Trenda
Trenda, this was my mom’s favorite verse. Thank you. guess we all need encouragement some times, but seems like I need it daily. blessings to you and Richard as you continue to reach out to those who are hurting. and also as you enjoy your times with family at your beautiful cottage green on the Lake!
Oh Ruthie, I can see you setting in that rocker pondering your thoughts and heart before our King Jesus…with a few drops of tears (of course)…🤗
Thank you for your authentic expressions from your heart always shared openly…I am grateful for your gift in keeping it real for us…
We get to have those moments with you…
Your heart speaks HIS heart…Your words are like apples of gold in a setting of silver Pr.25:11
Fitly spoke🌈💌👑
Thank you my friend. would invite you to come and sit awhile with me! I appreciate your comment so much. Blessings!
Hi Ruthie, loved what you said. Life is not over at 71, you still have lots to do. I just had a hysterectomy to get rid of endometrial cancer. Praise God, no cancer in the lymph nodes. Have had a lot of time to think and process all of this. Papa is good! There is still much for me to do and I don’t want to miss anything I was put on this earth to do. Love you and Billy Joe.
Oh Mary, didn’t know. But I do know we both still have much to accomplish! Love you. I’s been too long!
Ruthie! Oh how this has blessed me. Sometimes my What If’s paralyze me and I forget all the promises of God. It was so refreshing to know that others have attacks of “What Ifs” and we all come back to the truths and confirm it to one another. Love you my friend.
I totally get that Lisa. Several years ago, the Lord had me memorize this phrase: What if? Nevertheless, God!” I still have to remember to answer, “Nevertheless!!” love you my friend
Seems like years ago Mother gave me a book titled Nevertheless; God!
Thank you, Ruthie, for your beautiful post…so soothing to my soul! The Lord speaks to me like this…simple, not complicated, yet profound. I love sitting on the back porch overlooking the lake in late Fall, wrapped in a blanket, drinking a hot cup of coffee and resting in the Lord. He refreshes me with renewed strength, joy, and purpose! His promises are a reassuring Yes and Amen!! God bless you!
Oh Suzanne, may I join you on that porch!!! sounds so lovely and peaceful. I find simplicity is the best. KISS-Keep It Simple, Sweetie!