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My heart cried out, "Lord, this is too painful. I am going to die...this will consume me. It is too much...too unbearable."

And then I heard the whisper of God's heart: "You are my child in whom I delight. I will rescue you from all your enemies. I hold you safely in My Hands."

"God reached down from on high and took hold of me, drawing me out of deep waters...rescuing me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but God was my support, bringing me out into a spacious place; rescuing me because I was a delight."
Psalm 18:16-19

"My Secret Garden"

Isaiah 58:11

“Lord, You’re incredible! First, You choose a people for Yourself. You become their own personal God. You lead them out of and bring them to a new land…but then You tell them that You want to dwell with them…to be with them always! It’s amazing to think about!”

Suddenly I realize another truth, as God spoke to the children of Israel, God comes to each of us and says "Make Me a sanctuary that I might dwell with you."

God desires to dwell with me!!! How amazing! But I must prepare a place for Him…a place within my own heart...an inner sacred dwelling place like the Garden of Eden where we walk with the Lord "in the cool of the day". It is an intimate place of communion.

"Lord, I want to make this sanctuary for You, but I'm really sure how to nurture and preserve this place within...this sacred dwelling place for You."

God whispers, "Indeed, I have called you to make a sanctuary for Me that I might dwell with You. That is My heart's desire. I will show you how to tend this garden and how to protect it. I will cause it to grow and flourish. It will be a delight to walk with you there in the cool of the day."

"You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11

"For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks to You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth."

Psalm 139:13-15

Lord, it is amazing to think about You coming to earth to live as one of us. You know what it's like to be vulnerable...to stuggle...to live with passion. You know my frame!

God whispers,"I created you, I formed you. Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1,2)

"Bear One Another's Burdens"

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

God whispers, "Know that there are many, some whom you do not even know, holding you in their hearts and prayers. They are there to help you bear your burdens. You are not alone."

RISE UP!

"Shake yourself from the dust,
Rise up, O captive one;
Loose yourself from
the chains around your neck."
Isaiah 52:2

"You will rise up on wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31

"Your Right Hand Upholds Me"

“On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8

Lord, I’m so glad I can call out to You and know You are there. Even in the night...when things seem so dark and confusing, You are there. But I don’t always remember that, Lord. I remember other things…like my worries and fears, my disappointments and hurts. Lord, I need to remember that You are there, that You are holding me up, that You are sustaining me.”

God whispers, “Come, dear child, rest in the palm of My Hand. See, I have made a place for you here. It is a place of peace…a place of safety…a place of remembrance.”

My heart cried, "Lord, I can't do this anymore. I'm struggling to just make it through the day. I'm trying to hold on but I'm falling. I'm falling, Lord."

God whispered, "I have hold of you dear child...rest in that truth. I will never let go of you."

"Though I stumble, I will not fall, for the LORD holds me by the hand." Psalm 37:24

"Who Touched Me?"

"Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling: and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately." Luke 8:47

“Lord, I am so much like this woman, wanting to touch You and receive from You but not wanting to be seen. Then there You are, calling out to me, pursuing me. I’m so much like this woman who wants only to touch the hem of Your garment rather than have an intimate encounter with You. I love receiving from You through the Scriptures or through worship or prayer, through fellowship, through the beauty of creation…but You want a face to face encounter and I am filled with fear and trembling just as this woman was.”

God whispers, “Oh, dear child, do not be afraid. You are My daughter, beloved to Me. I want you to know that I see and know you. I know how you have suffered and struggled. I want to encourage you and bless you. I want to give You My peace.”