Today’s story is a seed planted
for anyone who has ever struggled
with misplaced expectations.

For so often, we think our lives must be lived
without error, without struggle, without pain.

And if we have such, we begin to doubt,
to believe we’ve done something wrong.
That our lives should be more perfect.
Or we are simply not on the right path.

But actually the struggle
is part of the journey.
And it’s purpose is to point us toward God…
to show us how desperately we need Him.

Ironically, the times in my life
when I thought I had it all figured out…
I now realize, were my most shallow days of living.

Because they were done so
in pride and selfishness.
Both simple forms of idolatry
with me at the center of… well, me!

And the times when I have found fullness,
satisfaction, and real joy
have oddly been walking, or literally limping
out of great struggle,
lonely wilderness, or
intense pain.

Because those were the times
when I found the end of myself
and the beginning of God.

Those were the times
when my face down crying
became a beautiful act of worship.

Tears of sacrifice
floating atop an endless ocean of grace.

I love the Lord, because He hears…
and continues to hear
my voice and my supplications,
my pleas, my cries, my specific needs.

Because He has inclined His ear to me,
therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

The Lord protects the simple;
I was brought low…
humbled and discouraged,
and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For You have rescued my life from death,
my eyes from tears,
and my feet from stumbling and falling.

I will walk in submissive wonder
before the Lord
in the land of the living.
Psalm 116:1-2, 6-9

And I pray, Lord
that I never return
to that lonely, worn out
woman of pride.

Anchor me close to You,
tether me on a short rope.
Let me not linger long,
without a prayer of thanksgiving
for all that You are.

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You can download Show Notes
Here

008BabiesCryALot