Sometimes life catches me so off guard in a way that leaves me breathless. It's only the second week of February and I feel like I've aged a decade this year! I'm so glad God goes before me. I'm so glad God is faithful. It has been a hard start to 2023. I must say that, nonetheless, I have been so overwhelmed in the midst of it all with God's goodness and sovereignty. While life catches me off guard it does not catch Him off guard. God knew EXACTLY the road I would be walking in these weeks and months and He prepared the way and walked before me in a way that is so sweet, so personal, and so precious to me. He is indeed good.
One of the ways I see His goodness to me is in a Spotify Playlist from my friend, Christi. She had this idea for us to make a playlist for our daughters about "Holding onto Hope" when life doesn't go our way. The girls were awaiting college decisions and we knew things may not go their way. Their hopes were pinned on being admitted to some tough schools. So Christi sent me this playlist and this huge compellation of scriptures she had gathered for the girls and she encouraged me to add to it, so we would have it for the girls if they had to deal with disappointment. Well.....turns out the girls didn't need it. They were very happy with their news about schools.....but I know now that God placed this in her heart and has used it to minister to mine. This playlist and these scriptures have literally been a lifeline to my heart as I hold on to hope. Thank you God!
That playlist has played for hours and ministered to my heart in ways nothing else has.....
"Red Sea Road" Lyrics
"We will sing, to our souls
We won't bury our hope
Where He leads us to go
There's a red sea road
When we can't see the way
He will part the waves
And we'll never walk alone
Down a red sea road.......
Oh help us to believe
You are faithful. You're faithful
When our hearts are breaking
You are faithful, You're faithful
Oh grant us eyes to see
You are faithful. You're faithful
Teach us to sing
You are faithful, You're faithful, You're faithful."
Or "Into the Sea" Lyrics
"My heart is breaking
In a way I never thought it could
My mind is racing
With the question, "Are you still good?"
From the wreckage
Would you take this heart
And make it whole again?
Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"
Deep breath. It will be okay. Here's the cool thing though.....not only did the Lord provide this musical truth as a balm for my soul through my sweet friend, but I've been in the Word on my annual Bible reading plan....and guess what I'm reading....Exodus....Hello Red Sea...and guess who went before the Israelites....who led them.....who provided food in the desert...who was faithful when they were faithless.....YES, it was the Lord and He will go before me too! He will lead me too. He will feed me too. He will absolutely be enough.
A few more lyrics...."Sovereign Over Us"
"There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And you meet us in our mourning
With a love that cast out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us"
This theme of the faithfulness of God has been on repeat in my life. He is faithful. He will be faithful. He is working. He can be trusted. Trusting His sovereignty and resting in His faithfulness and waiting for Him to finish the work He's begun. I have NO idea what the rest of this year holds, but praise God the one who hold's it is faithful and can be trusted to provide a way. He goes before us. He plants us in churches and in families with people who encourage us, pray for us, bring us meals, and listen to our heartaches. He gives us his word, which is new every morning. It really is going to be okay. He is working out his beautiful plan and he will be glorified and there will be some breaking and burning and heartache along the way......but it will be okay. He IS faithful.
