Look. See. Ask. Receive.

Everybody has your heartbeat… Every sunset is a stained glass window… Every park bench is a pew…. There’s a sanctuary everywhere that I go… When my eyes are open… I see you.

I see You, JJ Heller

What a week it has been. I am struggling for words honestly. The devastation and destruction that Hurricane Helene brought is absolutely heart shattering. It’s been a week of holding your breath just hoping an update will come from family and friends. And yet, still waiting. Years of clean up ahead. People’s lives completely up ended.

I have been thinking a whole lot about Noah and his family (hang with me – I am going somewhere with this). Of course we teach and hear about how ridiculous the “onlookers” thought about building a boat in the midst of a drought, but what about when they realized God wasn’t someone to mess with? What about when it did start raining? Did they try banging on the door? Or did the flood waters rise so fast that there wasn’t even time for that? I know here in North Carolina we are shocked that a hurricane destroyed our mountains rather than our coast, because that’s what we prepare for. The one thing that continually keeps coming to mind is as devastating as this is, he promised never to flood the entire earth again, so what did Noah feel as he walked onto the Ark and shutting the door? He knew he was obeying, but he had to have friends that he left behind. What I know for sure is his trust in God to fulfill his promises led him to obey. Noah wasn’t perfect by no means- I encourage you to read for yourself! But I do believe there is no way he built, boarded, and remained on the ark without calling out for God many, many times a day!

Crying out. Help. Praying. Trusting. Times of Crisis. I am always amazed at what God can bring back to my mind in these times, although I have to be willing to receive. It happens all the time in retirement communities and nursing homes and rehab facilities, recalling songs and music that you didn’t realize was still up there. I’ve seen it over and over again – this is God’s handiwork and you can’t convince me otherwise!

I am grateful that I grew up with parents and grandparents that made hymns and scripture a priority. They would have it playing, or they would be singing, or quoting or reading scripture aloud. Repetition is key to laying a solid foundation. I cannot express how many medical complicated and challenging days these things simply come ringing back into my ears and create in my body and soul a calm only HE can bring.

Of course, I have some of my favorites to share with you: 😊

• Scripture Memory: I have shared this before, but Dwell Differently hands down is out of this world amazing! http://dwelldifferently.com
• Hymns: I have quite a few of these 😉 Chris Rice: “Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project,” “Living Room Sessions” (Instrumental), “Living Room Sessions: Christmas” (Instrumental), JJ Heller: “I Dream of You: Hymns”, Keith and Kristyn Getty: Getty Kids Hymnals: “Family Carol Sing,” “For the Cause,” “In Christ Alone,” “Family Hymn Sing” (all their music is great! I just really love hearing the kids voices)
• Scripture to Music: Ellie Holcomb: “All of My Days”, Slugs and Bugs
• Scripture Hymnal: Randall Goodgame, Slugs and Bugs, has compiled a hymnal of scripture for churches and individuals- check it out here: https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/the-scripture-hymnal
• Creeds and Other repetition helps: https://www.tinytheologians.shop and https://www.littlewaychapel.com are my two favorites at the moment. Simple but life changing resources. Little way chapel has “breathe prayers” which I have in the notebook in today’s picture, along with other short prayers that can be said when life seems to be “knocking the wind” out of me. I keep it in my “everyday/everywhere” bag, right where I can grab it when I need it!

Just as Noah prepared the ark, his family, and the animals, let us prepare our hearts to be ready for whatever may come and whatever we may already be facing. He sees. He knows. And He loves you abundantly!!!

Life book of the week: Give Me Grace, by Cynthia Rylant