Oh, How Sweet!

This little guy is the cutest baby in the world, huh? This is my newest little Nephew, my brother's boy. He looks so much like our dad (and his dad) in his baby pictures, lucky little fella! I just couldn't resist sharing. We live far apart, so at least I can oooh over the new pictures.

Life is soggy on the farm today, and in most of this end of the country. The horses will be cooped up for a while. Because our pasture is small the horses can't get out when it's too mucky. They will either hurt themselves in the mud (they don't realize that high-speed stops in mud can cause injury) or destroy their paddock.

Today, I seemed to awaken with some unresolved fear, anger and guilt gripping my heart. It was left-over junk, I prayed through yesterday but it was not resolved because I was not putting my hope in God. (I had responded in anger to offense.) One thing I've discovered as a mom is that my kids are not going fulfill me, their love is imperfect. They hurt me, and I hurt them at times. Will I sink in hopelessness or trust God to make the changes in us? God was mercifully kind to speak so sweetly and directly to me this morning when those faithless fears were haunting me. I read:

Is. 41: 9 "You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 Behold, all who are incensed against you
shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 You shall seek those who contend with you,
but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
shall be as nothing at all.
13 For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

14 Fear not, you worm Jacob,
you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;
your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Now the point is not to rejoice that my enemy will perish, but that the sin in myself and my offspring are not my battle. God fights my battles, and never loses. He is my helper and my strength. I am not alone to face my sin or to face arrows, that may even come from those whom I love dearly. He will be my Redeemer to rescue when I am sinking down. A redeemer recovers His property, I am his...a Redeemer restores honor. I am not worthy of honor on my own, but because I have a redeemer I receive honor, when sin would steal it.

The day's outlook was transformed when I went to God to listen to Him speak to my need through His Word, The Bible. Give it a try, it's so sweet.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!