twenty-three: hours to remember
I was in counseling for an hour today. I used a few of the remaining twenty-three hours to look back over some of my previous blog posts. I gain so much insight—and even sometimes get a good kick in the rear—when I take the time to revisit things God has spoken to me.
Two old posts really resonated with my heart when I stumbled back upon them. Here are some snippets, since they’re worth repeating. (You can read the full originals here and here if you’re interested.)
::
Take all of me with Your gentle hands.
Even when I feel I can only open the door an inch, this is me giving You permission to bust it wide open. Even when I feel I’m unable to offer You more of me, this is me asking You to go ahead and take it anyway. Even when I feel I have no words, this is me asking You to respond to my one-word prayers for “Help” with all You know I need.
Be aggressive with me. For I’m not aggressive enough on my own behalf.
::
God’s heart breaks for my broken heart. He loves me that much. His compassion is that far-reaching. His grace is that incomprehensible. God’s heart hurts for my hurting heart.
The King of the Universe aches for me. The God who spread out the expanse of the sky, flung the stars into place, set the sun in its perfect position, and carefully placed the moon to simply reflect a light not its own… This God also reaches out to me, pulls me onto His lap, wraps His arms around me, holds me tighter than I realize I need, and refuses to let me go.
He weeps with me.
He doesn’t say much; He doesn’t need to. He certainly doesn’t feed me ridiculous clichés: “Smile, I love you.” “I work in mysterious ways.” “When I close a door, I open a window.” “Let go and let Me.”
His tears say enough. They tell me He understands. He cares. He sees my hurting heart and He holds it in the palm of His hand. And He holds it ever-so-gently.
::
I am so glad God promises to be close to the brokenhearted…
His tears say enough. They tell me He understands. He cares. He sees my hurting heart and He holds it in the palm of His hand. And He holds it ever-so-gently.
This is so beautiful. And you are right, He doesn’t need to say much, His arms are enough.
@ventigrace says:
yes kitten… so good… so, so good. And… your heart speaks to Him the words unspoken right now.
Sometimes His silent presence is the most comforting thing ever.
wow…..that’s all I have to say. Thanks friend for giving me something to reflect on too! Hugs!!
Praying that you will stay close to him and that you will listen with your heart. Keep him with you all day long.
Beloved Alece, don’t you love it when God reminds you through His words to you, through you, of all that He is … especially when in the midst of grief and pain. He is “Hayah” … the God who makes the promise, keeps the promise. He is, and that is enough … always.
Love you precious friend.
Going through old blog posts (or old fashioned journal entries!) can be so wonderful. It can be easy to forget the jewels of truth that we learn along the way.
Those one-word prayers for help can be so powerful. That’s when Christ’s prayers for us step in, and when our interceding friends can carry us.
wow, you and me both Alece! Thanks, I am going to come back later and read this again and really let it sink in deep. I have to get out before I get snowed in! so i will be back..
@cassgirl says:
Here as your backboard.. Standing tall
Lovin and prayin
(God is real)
Beautiful. Just like your heart.
@danielleH says:
i love that you looked back at your blog as a overview of your heart.
i love you.
I love what God is doing in u and that u r sharing it all. Thank u. Great reminders and thoughts for all of us.
I love the truth of what you’ve written. I know He’s showing you through all of this how true it is, but in new ways.
I was so struck a few years ago while reading the Bible by how God seems to be especially moved by our tears.
Sometimes friends don’t have to say anything to show that they care. They’re just there, and that’s all that matters. I know you’ve got that.
Praying for you.
I knew I could trust you when I first read the one about God being close to the broken-hearted.
I thought, “This woman will get me.”
Thanks.
@moweezle says:
So am I!!!
How awesome is this? Who knew that when you were typing out those blog posts, they would one day speak to you again in a different way, when you needed them the most? They both brought me to choking back tears, but the first one is amazing. They both are, but I am so guilty of being the person in the first one.
I love you so much friend. I miss you. I wish so much I could give you the biggest hug I have to give. No words, just hugs.
@knights_lady says:
I realised this the morning after my heart was wounded and the salt had been well rubbed in. I went for a walk and I happened to walk under a tree. One small drop of dew fell onto my face and ran down like a tear drop. And I knew that He wept. For me and with me. Jesus knows. And He cares.
@atangie says:
you are admirable.
@cassgirl says:
Friend…
This post ministered to me big time. I’ve even printed it out.
http://gritandglory.com/2008/07/21/pray-these-prayers-for-me/
ivy — welcome to the grit. “his arms are enough” — i just want to be held…
debra — “the God who makes the promise, keeps the promise” — wow. WOW.
amy — i know people are steadfastly praying for me right now, and i can’t even begin to describe how strengthening that knowledge is.
michelle — brokenness i get. always have, always will.
bran muffin — my heart felt that hug.
louise — “He wept. for me and with me.” – what a moment!
heidi — oh i know… that one still gets me too!
@coloraturajoy says:
That’s one of my favorite things about blogging….looking back over my journey.
Good post, Alece.
praying. loving. relating more than you know. but not lurking. i’m front and center cheering for you. :) aren’t you so proud?
thanks for coming out of hiding!!! that made my day!
oh. mmmmmm thanks for posting these again
@traceepersiko says:
his weakness is stronger than our strength
“his weakness is stronger than our strength” — i’m gonna go to bed repeating that over and over…
@tamhodge says:
“God
Wow… I think I need to go back and read through some of your old posts, too… for me the whole “Be aggressive with me” smacked me upside the head because I’ve been feeling that about myself lately. Just because the world challenges me doesn’t mean I can be so lax in not challenging myself.
Great thoughts for me today, lady. Thank you… and praying for you still…
tam — i’m not lying when i say “mostly grit”.
gitz — right now i can do nothing but ask Him to run after me because i can’t run anymore.
@cassgirl says:
You can run…
You just need a fast breeze of people running with you, and God carrying you during the pit stops!!!
no. i really can’t.
@cassgirl says:
Then I’ll drag you!!!
Then maybe you just stand still and He can work on you right where you are. He won’t have to run after you; He’s already standing with you just like we are, friend.
I promise you prayers every day.
please, God, let me feel You breathing over my shoulder.
@cassgirl says:
Ezekiel 37. Verse 5 says, “Thus says the LORD to these : I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.” And You will! (Heidi’s version)
mmm… thank you, friends.
Beautiful!