I can forget

“The devil doesn’t fill us with a hatred for God, but a forgetfulness of God.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
We can get caught up in this fast paced world and forget what God has done for us. Like the Israelites complaining when God made them wander around for 40 years, before entering the Promised Land. They had forgotten the miracle God had performed on their behalf.
“Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the waters so the Israelites can walk through the middle on dry ground.”-Exodus 14:16
It was an awesome feat, but nothing is TOO big for God.
“You split my seas so I could walk through it.”
What sea has He parted for you?
If I’m honest this past month or so, the devil has filled my heart with forgetfulness of God. I have forgotten where He has brought me from, the blessings He has bestowed on me. It’s safe to say that the devil has gotten his way in my heart. It wasn’t until this last Sunday, realization dawned. All I needed to do was remember what/where God has brought me.
“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”-Psalm 40:2
I had forgotten what seas He had parted for me. The sea of heartbreak, the sea of temptation, the sea of not-good-enough. And I have victoriously walked through the middle on dry ground of all of those struggling seas. Remember that Jesus can calm the sea with just a single word.
When you remember Jesus is in the boat with you
you can lean on him to help you through the storm.

Comfort

July 7,2013, a date that changed the course of my year. Just another day to most of y’all, but to me the news of that day changed my life. The day before our annual beach vacation, we got word that my grandmother had pancreatic cancer. At the word cancer, I felt in my bones that she wouldn’t be here to help me celebrate my 17th birthday in August. I couldn’t imagine my life without Memaw. Memaw meant more to me than just a grandmother I spent the holidays with; Memaw was (and probably still is my biggest supporter), she was my confidant, my closest friend, my source of laughter. July 26,2013, the night we said goodbye to her at that moment my world came crashing down around me. For months I was going through the motions. I was in a rut. Fast forward six years, God has pulled me out of that rut and put my feet on solid ground (see Psalm 40:2) Getting over the lost of a loved one is not an easy task and doesn’t happen overnight. It was through the comfort of friends and family members I was able to move on from that loss. I’m not saying that Memaw is wiped completely from my memory, I still carry the memories we made in my heart.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”-Psalm 34:18
When we lose a loved one, we usually resent God for taking that person away. We feel broken and turn our back on God. When it is God, who can put us back together. It’s funny how we tragedy strikes, you find out what friends you have that are true friends. True friends don’t run from pain, but link arms with you through the pain. When Memaw passed away, my spirits were crushed. God pulled me out of that brokenness and is bringing me to beauty one day at a time. This time six years ago, I was breaking, but I covered it up with a smile. I told everyone I was fine, when really, I wasn’t, not even close. I don’t know when the light clicked for me to realize God was still holding the pieces of my heart to put back together. He recused me and gave me joy. My tears turned into smiles, I really meant. My heart was rejoicing over what He did for me. He can do it for you too, look to Him in your time of mourning; I know it’s easy to want to turn your back on Him. He holds all the pieces of your life and He WILL put you back together.
“God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted.”- Matthew 5:4