Original Post : February 26, 2010:
Psalm 130 says, "Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning--Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption! He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."
So I've decided to begin this blog idea...and I honestly am not too sure what I am doing. It seems as though every where I look I am seeing others with the same idea...a new beginning...an open window. Perhaps because we are still in the early part of a new year and a new decade...or perhaps because there are so many of us out here struggling and searching for a way to begin anew...whether it be a new job (or ANY job), a new home, a new family, a new situation in life that blows our mind, recovering from devastating loss or illness...whatever our reasons...we are out here...and we need each other!
Like the Psalmist above, I have cried out of the depths, "Lord, hear my voice! Let Your voice be attentive to the voice of my supplications!" In other words, "Lord, are you listening to me? Please listen to me when I am pouring out my heart to you!" Then I think, "Well, maybe because of my sin or my stupidity I have gotten myself into this mess, so why should God want to help me?" I love what verses 3 and 4 say in response to my doubts and fears:
"If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that You may be feared."
God reassures me here that even though I may have made a mistake, or even if my circumstances are not of my own doing, God has forgiven me and is already "on the case". The psalm is completed with an admonition to Israel...and to me, to "hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is abundant redemption!"
Last night I picked up a magazine and tried to read, but I really wasn't concentrating too much on the article because I was fretting over my future (or lack of) and what to do next. However, the very last words of the story jumped out at me and gave me a sense of the message that God was trying to get through to me:
"Looking for inspiration? Follow the path that's calling you. It's sure to be an adventure." (Samantha Brown, "Travels From the Heart", Guideposts, March 2010, page 58)
And so, here I am again...looking at this "Open Window" that God has placed before me, and like the Psalmist, I am waiting for the Lord..."and in His word I do hope....more than those who watch for the morning."
If you have been in similar circumstances, or maybe you still are...can we stand together and work through this time in a spirit of hope, encouragement, and inspiration? Would you share your thoughts, ideas, and dreams with us so we can learn from each other? This is your opportunity as well as mine, to begin anew, start a new adventure, and leap through that "open window". Are you ready? Then let's get going!!
Thank you for joining me today for Random Journal Day. Now go check out what others are writing here,
Enjoyed reading your entry from 5 years ago...I went back to Sept. 2010 - not quite 5 years ago also!! A lot HAS changed; yet, I still seem to be praying for the same things...peace, understanding, patience!! Yet, He is faithful and is answering prayers for us and our future! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara! It is amazing how our learning curve seems to go in cycles. And God never changes, thank the Lord! He is always there teaching, loving, and directing our paths, day after day, year after year. Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I must go visit you now!!
DeleteEach of God's children learn from Him as they advance through life. God has been good to you, Pam. We have to keep our eyes on Him and trust Him to bring us through times of difficulty.I am not the same person I was in 2010. In 2010, I was not the same person I was in 2000. I am more grounded in the faith. I am more sure of myself in most areas of my life. Each of us can encourage one another as we go through the travails of life. Blessings on you and yours.
ReplyDeletePamela- I love this entry and the hope that comes through and the invitation to look for and move towards the open window...I am privelged to get a glimpse into your window and heart! Thanks-Kel
ReplyDeleteLove this so much. Love that you barely knew what a blog was, but it was a window you wanted to write your way through, that God put it on your heart, gave you words and gave you the title to fit the words. So perfect for what you do each time you post. We gaze in, through YOUR window, at HIS wonderful world to the eternal.
ReplyDeletehahaha...this post makes me smile, and to think I shortly joined the blogging world in May 2011..and ran into you , and Susie and now look at us! I barely new what a blog was when I hit publish, only felt God calling me to share, share and share the words He was giving me, as not mine to keep. What a good and faithful God. So grateful you waited, and listened and kept on...so grateful to be with you on the journey, Pam!
ReplyDeleteFunny I didn't see all these comments before today! Thank you ladies, for being a part of my "open window" for these many years. Some of you are still new to me...but a joy to my heart as well. What an adventure we have been having out here in cyberspace, huh? Praise God for closed doors...AND open windows!
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