The Old and the New

When I worked at the law office in Dothan, I had certain a routine for closing out the year and beginning a new one.  Same when I worked at the high school.  New files were made…certain old ones were filed away…and in some cases, a purging happened.

Sometimes–that needs to be done in our lives…a purging.

When we moved in November–I knew in advance that there would be some things that just would not “fit” in this sweet little house.  The couch for instance.

Now friend…I loved my couch.  We spent a LONG time searching for the right couch…with Bible Study and Prayer times in mind….and it was well used for those purposes–as well as snuggling with grandkids and watching a good movie.

Our Common Grounds girls loved it too…I remember several of them making the comment the first time they came over to pray–“oh I sure wish I had THIS!”  Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in the house.  But God supplied another for us to use that does fit.

The “prayer” couch, where I met with Jesus every morning in one certain spot–will STILL be used as  a place to meet with God–and learn of Him though–it will reappear soon–and I will show you where and tell you how….later.

In the moving–and purging–and cleaning out of all the “clutter of life”–I discovered something about me.  I would have a tendency to be a hoarder if I wasn’t careful.  I mean–I kept every sweet note every person mailed me–and those darlin’ cards that lifted my heart–tucked in a cedar chest. 

There came a time though–that the cedar chest had to be used for it’s original intent.  To store “quilts and blankets”.  so I took a few hours and cleaned it out–going through every single card….

I’ll be honest–I had a hard time parting with some of the cards–and some of them (those that had a scripture verse and special note) I kept.  But in comparison, it was just a  few reminders of where God has brought me.  As I re-read the cards–I saw the hand of God moving in my life through encouragement of others.  I knew that in many girl’s shoe boxes or a drawer was perhaps a card or note with  my signature–and a prayer.  I know the value of the written word–and a prayer of faith in a desperate time of need…. I’ve been there.

In the purging process–God showed me that if I’m not careful, I will tend to hold on to what He’s done in the past–satisfied with that–yet knowing that there is SO MUCH MORE that He wants to do in the future!

Can I share a secret?  He’s got more.  MORE than you could even imagine is in store for this next year!  I feel it in my BONES!

Isaiah wrote about the LORD reminding him of what He had done in the past and letting him know that the future  held even greater promise for the Children of Israel!

(Isaiah 43:15-19 NLT)
I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator and King.
¹⁶ I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,
making a dry path through the sea.
¹⁷ I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
¹⁸ “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
¹⁹ For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland….

We cannot begin to comprehend what HE is about to do in our midst!  BELIEVE.  TRUST.  DO NOT WAVER in your heart about HIS LOVE.

I want to live this gift of 2012 with such intentional devotion to Christ that I see Him at every turn.  I want HIS presence to feel as it does today–and has for the past several days…thick–sweet as honey.
I intend to make a mark for HIM.  So that HE will be glorified.  I am willing to go through the purging process–and let HIM direct me at all the things that are unfit–the things that are choking the life out of me–so that there is ROOM for HIM to  dwell without any hindrances.

I discovered though with the move–it is an intentional process.  Friends can’t help you with this.  YOU must desire this–and make the necessary changes on your own.

I have helped others move before–and if you’re not careful–you will simply take everything that is in the “past” house and move it right into the “NEW” house.  And it just won’t fit. 

Moving is best done with a clear mind on what you really NEED….not what you want. 

As 2012 dawns–take some time and  evaluate the “unnecessary” of your life…see what things are “time stealers”…and what throws your mind and heart into a pit of dispair.  Get rid of those things.  I can only tell you from my experience….you will be amazed at how you will feel…

A fresh rain is getting ready to fall on God’s people…and I don’t want anything to hinder me from feeling every single drop.  The road ahead holds great promise….don’t be left standing around…be ready.

© The Knightly News 2007-2011
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