A few days ago I sat next to a dear friend at a dinner party who listened patiently as I explained the details of a painful situation currently going on in my life. In her incredibly kind, yet matter-of-fact way she reminded me firmly – “You have a Biblical responsibility to do ______, and when you do you absolutely must remember that He shows up. He always, always shows up.”
a glimpse of one of the many ways He has "showed up" lately
A couple weeks ago I snuggled up against a pile of pillows with a cup of decaf coffee next to another sweet friend in a ginormous bed. This fairly new friend (who feels like an old friend) has an uncanny way of reading between the lines and seeing through to the depths of the heart. While tears overflowed from my aching heart she said “I would not wish one thousand of ______ in place of what the Lord has for you. You are worth so much more than that! I believe for you {because she knew that in that moment, I couldn’t believe it for myself} that HE has something so much better.”
Earlier in the month I stood in my kitchen across from my boss after a planning meeting telling him of all the frustrations and aches that come along with this life of full time ministry. The uncertainty that can so easily overwhelm had taken a toll on my already fragile heart. With the sensitivity & wisdom that He offers so freely (and for which I am so very ,very grateful) he shared his own struggle with the question “What does it look like to trust the Lord in the midst of all this?” That question continues to direct my heart back to the only One who makes sense of all the chaos that surrounds me these days.
This morning after church I stood in a small circle of a few sweet friends who again listened to my heart while one of them remarked about a certain situation “I knew you were on the verge of tears because I know what you do with your mouth before you cry!”
Recalling that moment along with many others, I see it — I am known. It is both a terrifying and absolutely beautiful realization. In this season of the greatest pain I have ever known I have lost all energy to hide or pretend. As a result this pain has acted as a catalyst for sweet, encouraging, honest relationships.
Truly, He has been faithful to show up.
He shows up through decaf coffee and tears, He shows up at a dinner party with precious women, He shows up after church on a Sunday when you compliment a friend’s earrings and she takes them out of her ears and gives them to you (then brings you the matching necklace a few days later), He shows up in long conversations over margaritas with a dear friend, He shows up in the friend who gives the best hugs, He shows up in Sunday morning snuggles with Gracie, He shows up in a text message from a friend sharing the specific scripture she is praying over you, He shows up in laughter with coworkers, He shows up in teary conversations over red wine, He shows up in emails traded back and forth throughout the work day with my best friend, He shows up in early mornings in His Word…
Life continues to be chaotic & uncertain, but He continues to show up.
He always, always shows up.
Amen, sister. Amen.