A Great Cut

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  I John 4:18

Just wanted to give an update. . . .and also say a great big THANK YOU to each of you for your wonderful words of support and encouragement as I (and my family) am facing a new road.  This morning I am taking the "kids" to their first set of tests in order to enter the public school system.  . . so this post will be short.  But first thing this morning I woke up and heard this little voice inside me saying, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19)  Basically He is telling me, yet again, "I'm doing something totally new, which requires CHANGE...don't you SEE it?"   Yes, Lord....I am beginning to see it.  .  .

This is a pic I took of my niece & her husband at their wedding on Sat.

Just like I was talking the other day to a friend who is facing some difficult changes...The Holy Spirit reminded me of Romans 8:28...we know that ALL things (even changes) work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  Well, it's like this. . .over the past 13 years, after my sister's untimely death (from her own hands) God has shown me some of the "good things" He has done...it's like He has revealed each little "facet" --- the cutting away, the shaping in a diamond that HE is fashioning.  This very diamond is going to be a jewel in the setting of a crown that I shall in turn place at His Son's precious feet one day.  He may never reveal to me the entire vision of that diamond, but with each good thing that He DOES reveal in His plan, just like with each "cut" on a diamond, He is showing me that this cutting away, this chipping away, is to polish me, shape me, and in turn cause me to sparkle...makes me wonder if one day will we all be His precious jewels in the crown that He wears upon His head?  Either way, our Heavenly Father is preparing a perfect, sparkling bride for His Son, our Bridegroom.  So as the Heavenly Jeweler chips away at yet another facet in my life, surely He is preparing my heart to be shaped into an image, sparkling and perfect.  No matter what you're enduring, this cutting, chipping away, and shaping process is to reveal a perfect jewel---right now, we're just a "diamond in the rough."  And speaking on my behalf, "Rough" it is!  LOL   :o)

This is my niece and her husband at their wedding on Sat.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, support, encouragement, and just for being Y-O-U!  You have helped me to not fear change, but embrace it.  Besides, perfect love casts out fear, right!??  God's love is perfect!   And as He perfects His love in me and my heart, the temptation to fear will be g-o-n-e--gone!  Letting Him have His way, that's what I'm asking Him to do in my heart. 

As time permits, I shall indeed keep you posted.  Sending big and thankful hugs to each of you!!

Dear Father, change is "in the air," just as I can sense "fall" is in the air.  I trust You, Father.  I am leaning wholly upon Your strong yet tender, loving arms to carry me and my family through these changes.  Please keep us in the center of Your will, for I know that we will not be content unless we are where You would have us to be.  . 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart (we are trusting You) and lean not unto your own understanding (I can not begin to understand this)...In all thy ways acknowledge Him (Father, I humbly acknowledge that we not only are looking to You for guidance, but that we desperately NEED Your guidance and help as well.) and HE shall direct thy paths. (We await Your direction.)  In Jesus' Name, and for His sake and honor and glory we ask, Amen.