created for care {one year later}.

I’m about to board my flight to Atlanta {I’m a ball of nerves… flying is NOT my thing} and I’m looking back on this time last year. What a difference a year makes. What a joy it has been to watch God’s story unfold in our family. And, oh, what a blessing this weekend away is each year…

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February 14, 2014

Last weekend, I headed into the Created for Care retreat feeling weary, longing to hear from the Lord, aching to understand why our journey has been so hard and so full of heartache.

Going into the weekend, I journaled these words:

Beautiful print and precious letter written by Dave tucked into my registration folder.  Such a sweet surprise and perfect start to the weekend.

Today, I can tell you that I came away full. Full of His peace, assurance, sustenance.

Surrounded by precious friends. Friends who have carried our family over the past year and a half. Friends who have taught me so much about faith, encouragement and the power of prayer. Friends who have struggled on their own paths, shedding collective tears and shrieks of joy along the way. What a blessing these ladies have been in my life.

Showered in so much love… gifts greeted me from these sweet friends!

Our main speaker, Beth Guckenberger, spoke directly to my heart. Her words were like a soothing balm reminding me of the One in whom I can trust fully.

Three themes were impressed upon my heart during this time away.

1}. Sustenance. 


God will always provide. Strength. Peace. Joy. One moment, one step, one day at a time.

Like a Good Shepherd leading his sheep, we can trust that He will guide us to green pastures. We can keep our ears tilted toward Him, listening for the next place to place our feet. The next stop. The next fork in the road. Ours is meant to be a position of dependance on Him.

2}. The Story is Not Over Yet. 


God always writes the absolute best stories. And, our story is not over yet {can I get an AMEN?}! No matter what may come, I can trust in Him to write each page … culminating in a beautiful story of Faithfulness.

3}. Place Yourself in a Position to Praise. 


Take a lead from Miriam’s song in Exodus 15:20. Although she was being led away from everything she had ever known. Although she didn’t know where she was going or how long the journey would last. Although she had to pack up all of her belongings to leave and follow Moses out of Egypt. Amidst the unknowns, the uncertainty, and likely, the fear; she took the time to pack a tambourine.

A tambourine.

I  can only imagine that I would have thrown some clothes, shoes, extra food and water into a sack … but a tambourine? I’m not so sure that would have made the cut.

Yet, she had placed herself in a position to praise God, full of confidence that He would lead them and save them. After the Red Sea parted and made a miraculous way for the Israelites to escape, Miriam was prepared to sing a song of praise.

In Beth’s words, this is reckless faith: when you don’t know the when, the where, the why or the how … only the Who.