All the Great Things He Has Done.

This morning, I received some hard news about someone I love.

Just to be honest, whenever I’m confronted with any sort of bad news, my natural tendency is fear. As I stood on the brink of fear and worst-case scenarios and googling, I chose to turn to prayer and Truth instead. Which is why I’m writing this post right now. I am not perfect and my faith is often pint-sized and my fear is often a Goliath. BUT, when I refuse to listen to the lies of fear, my soul allows space for peace to usher in. And, I think someone reading these words may need to be reminded of this, as well.

As I turned to scripture for reassuring words or verses to pray and cling to, I surprisingly found myself in the book of 1 Samuel. The Holy Spirit had lovingly and gently led me to an unexpected verse:

“Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors.” – 1 Samuel 12:7

He invited me to recount His faithfulness in my life. Because, He has always been faithful and CAN be trusted.

So, I sat on my back porch, steaming mug of coffee in hand and hurriedly jotted down line after line of great things He has done in my tattered journal.

As I was writing, I turned on the radio to find worship music and the song “So Far to Find You” started playing. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to the lyrics. You see, I had played that very song over and over and over again during the years of waiting during our adoption process. I haven’t heard the song in YEARS, yet, the familiar melody struck an immediate chord in my soul. A reminder of His Faithfulness.

Yes, He was faithful in the wait. Yes, He brought our girl home in a miraculous way. Yes, He kept her safe. Yes, He was right there through it all, never leaving or forsaking us. And, even now, I catch glimpses of His great Faithfulness every day. In big and in small ways.

When she first came home, Sylvie was terrified of animals (to be fair, she was terrified of everything when she first came home). She had never seen an animal at her orphanage or foster home. I can only imagine the fear and confusion she felt when she first arrived at our farm full of four legged creatures.

Just last night, Dave and I both remarked how quickly Sylvie has bonded with our new pups, Jack and Belle. This is the first time she has ever shown genuine care and interest in an animal. I find her and Charlotte in the pasture brushing and hugging the pups throughout the day now. It’s as though God has used these gentle giants to heal a space in her heart that had been held captive by fear all of these years.

He is Faithful.

And, therefore, I can trust in His faithfulness of my past for my future. I will cling to what I know to be true of God’s character regardless of the tension and uncertainties surrounding me.

Friends, with all that’s happening in our world right now, I would encourage you to take some time this morning to recount His faithfulness in your own life. I can assure you it will be time well spent and the record of great things He has done will be a beautiful depiction of His trustworthiness.