SHE WALKS
Sometimes things happen in our lives that are unexpected and catch us by surprise. Things we never dreamed in our wildest imaginations come and try to tear us down. We can choose how to react to those unwelcome events. It could be easy to fall into a lump of self pity, but there is another way.
We may be caught by surprise, but God isn’t.
He has promised to be with us no matter what happens. He doesn’t always remove the hard thing, but He gives strength to move forward. Our lives may take a completely different turn than we expected. Dreams that once seemed real may turn topsy-turvy, but with God’s help we can hold our heads up high and push through.
Often when a life altering event happens, we go through stages that may seem like an emotional roller coaster. We need time to grieve and lament, which is not the same thing as self pity. There are legitimate reasons for our grief. Fear is another reaction we may experience. The future we imagined is now unknown. We wonder what else might happen.
Once we experience the initial hurt, grief and fear, anger often shows up. Maybe someone has wronged you, which is hard enough, but the repercussions ripple on down to your children. Consequently their lives that were going along smoothly have abruptly changed and they are struggling with the same emotions as you.
WE TRY TO FIX IT OURSELVES
As all these events are happening we often try to fix it ourselves. We forget the One who loves us, who wants us to bring all our burdens as offerings to Him. Yes, we will still feel the range of emotions, but when we give them to God, He offers peace in return.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)
With the peace, strength and wisdom that comes from God, we no longer feel so lost and alone. We then see from a new perspective and are able to come up with a workable plan. He also uses other people to help in ways we did not expect. As the body of Christ we empathize with each other whether weeping or rejoicing. We “bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
When we give our burdens to God, He doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but we are often given new direction.It may not be the path that some would have us take, but that does not matter. What matters is that we follow where Christ leads. He will help us know how to follow the path that is unique for us.
I’m linking up with #Faith’nFriends, #GraceandTruth, #GiveMeGrace, #DanceWithJesus, #SmallWonder, #Glimpses, #LMMLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #SittingAmongFriends, #ThoughtProvokingThursday
*Here is the whole poem in case the photo is hard to read.
SHE WALKS
She walks
Leaving green meadow behind
carefully moving her feet
unused to the dirt and twigs
She walks
Eyes full of tears, on she goes
White lace dress tattered and torn
Why did no one understand?
She walks
Unsure of where she will end
but scrambling to get away
Faster now, more confident
She walks
Knowing now what she must do
Caring not what others think
She follows her own new path
Powerful.
So often this business of “walking to find the new path” has been my experience, and I haven’t realized it as I was forging ahead. It was only as I looked behind me that I realized I had been on a path all along. It was only me who thought the way should have been cleared before me.
Blessings, Gayl.
Thanks, Michele! I know what you mean. Sometimes when we are walking the path we can’t see, but we can trust the One who does see and know and has promised to be with us.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Your comments are always encouraging. Blessings to you, Michele! xo
“but with God’s help we can hold our heads up high and push through.” I wrote about this on my blog today and referenced a song from the late rapper Tupac. So important to remember the hand of God holding our heads up, always directing our paths. Happly Sunday Gayl!
Lisha, thanks for stopping by! Yes, He is always there with us. Many blessings to you, dear sister! xo
I’ve lived the truth of your words, friend. Beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing this inspiration today!
June, I was talking with a friend today and we both agreed that the losses we have faced have just brought us closer to God. He meets our needs and is always with us.
Thanks so much for visiting. Many blessings to you!
I too have walked in your shoes. I love your poem. Yes, we must follow God’s path for us and sometimes that leads us through hurt and pain and misunderstandings. God is faithful. How I love Him.
Thanks for visiting, Amy! Glad you like the poem.
I’m glad God is faithful and even though we don’t know the way, He always does and is always with us. I think the trials have a way of bringing us closer to Him. You are right. He is so faithful.
Blessings to you!
I love your poem- it really spoke to me today- and the picture from your art journal too. It’s so important to seek God and the unique path he has for us, and to keep going on that path without fearing others’ reactions.
Thank you, Lesley! I appreciate your encouraging comments. Blessings to you!
So beautifully impacting, Gayl! You are so blessed to write so powerfully in poetic form. I so respect those who can and more so since it is not my gifting area. What a joy to visit your site today!
Pam, thank you so much. Your words have blessed me. I’m so glad you visited today! Many blessings to you and have a great week!
Beautiful poem Gayl and tweets. It’s so true how we hold on to hurts and it can carry down to future generations. He’s always there in all those events just waiting for us to turn it over to Him to fix because he already knows how He is going to do it.
Thank you so much, Debbie! Yes, He already knows and we can sometimes get in the way by trying to do it ourselves. How much better to wait on God, who loves us and knows what is best.
I’m glad you stopped by! Blessings to you!
Beautiful! Yes. Thanks for digging in deep, Gayl. I love your description of God not changing the circumstances but our direction. So true but I’ve never heard it phrased that way. Thank you for the powerful words!
Thank you, Bethany! I’m glad you stopped by today. I appreciate your encouragement. Blessings to you!
Thank you for the poem, Gayl. It’s timely as I find myself seeking a path and the trust to follow what is clear before me.
Thanks, Kelly. I’m glad the poem was timely for you It’s hard to know the path sometimes, but I do believe that God will show us in His timing, sometimes just one step at a time.
Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you!
Gayl, what Gayl, what a beautiful post. It resonated with me. We are going to be hurt in life. How are we going to view that? And, what will we do in response? I love your closing lines. You’re so right. When we follow where Jesus leads? That’s when we can find new direction, healing, and His peace.
Thank you so much, Jeanne! I’m glad it resonated with you. Thank you for your encouraging comments. It really is important to keep our eyes on Jesus, isn’t it?
So glad you visited today, Jeanne. Many blessings to you!
It’s hard to stay on the path when life catches us by surprise. I am thankful it’s never a surprise to God and that He remains with us on the path. Your poem is beautiful.
Thank you, Barbie! I’m glad, too, that it’s never a surprise to God. He’s always faithful.
Many blessings to you!
This is hard stuff but also very encouraging. Thank you for sharing your brave today!
Thank you, Marvia, for your encouragement. You are such a sweet friend. Many blessings to you, sister. xo
Dear Gayl,
Thank you for re-posting this on FB today. I love these thoughts, and the way that Jesus meets us in the hardest of places, and shows us the new path that He has waiting for us. It’s so difficult to understand why, but He holds all the reasons, and someday will make it clear and holy, as He shows us the beauty that He brought from the broken. Just what I needed to read tonight. Blessings, love, and hugs to you Dear Sister!
Dear Bettie, I’m so glad this resonated with you tonight. So many are hurting and struggling and I just wanted to share this post again. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister! xoxo