A New Day Indeed

Today will go down in history. You know those days that you just recognize a defining point in your life, a check point and there is no going back? That somehow this day will have its marking on your life forever? Today is one of those days for me. Words will not do it justice but I simply write to encourage my fellow believers. Today, my heart shattered into a million pieces. It was already broken however still somewhat recognizable but between last night and this very moment a catalyst of events completely shattered it and I thought about, as I lay on my futon, why in the world a loving Father and creator would allow his daughter to endure this kind of pain? Then..He spoke. He spoke so clearly and so surely that the words will forever leave a mark on my life. They will define my tomorrows. Now, it is not necessary for you to understand all the events of why and how my heart has been broken to be encouraged but you do need to hear this part I'm about to say. God is involved. We see him in the blessings, in the gifts, but we feel forsaken in pain. God is using EVERYTHING and I mean everything to strengthen you and show you His love. When I asked God why this way, why use these 45 things to bring me here..He told me that He HATES to see his children hurt and in pain but many times there is no other way. When Jesus came to die on the cross...God did not enjoy watching what his son had to endure but there WAS NO OTHER WAY. The only way to make things the way they were supposed to be was for Jesus to die on that cross a grusome and agonizing death. It is no different with our lives. Any pain, disappointment, or anguish you endure God is using it because those are the very things that will in turn bring you joy and fulfillment. God reminded today of an event that I'd long forgotten. When I was 5 years old I was playing kick ball with some distant cousins. I can still see myself running, playing and laughing. I was so little and they were SO big. The next picture I have in my head is of me falling on my arm and crying in pain. My cousin Tabitha rushed over to help me but only worsened the problem by pulling my arm that I'm sure at that point was already broken. I was rushed to the doctor but the ONLY thing I remember is sitting in that office and that man grabbing my arm and jerking it really really reallllly hard to reset it back in place. Now, I was five years old but all I wanted to do was slap the skin right off that man's face. I remember screaming in horror, shock and extreme pain. Of course the man was trying to explain to me that he HAD to reset my arm in order for it to heal but all I think of was how much it hurt and how much I hated him at that moment. Today, again, I was that little kid and as my Papa allowed my heart to break wide open I screamed in pain wanting it to just stop when he whispered "This is the ONLY way to heal you..." Whew, it stopped me right in my tracks and I was floored. Beloved, God loves you. He wants you to have all that is good and he reminded me of Isaiah 62 and the promise of his restoration and transformation in his chosen people (Israel) but also in all of His sons and daughters. You may feel like you have endured pain, sorrow and loss while many others including non-Christians have eaten of the harvest that you worked to plant. Listen to me, God will not rest until he makes your righteousness as the dawn and will no longer let foreigners eat your grain. That is His promise. Hold onto it..keep reminding Him of his word and watch as He performs it!

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah,
and your land Beulah;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.

As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.

The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
"Never again will I give your grain
as food for your enemies,
and never again will foreigners drink the new wine
for which you have toiled;

but those who harvest it will eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather the grapes will drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary."