Tuesday, September 6, 2011

God is our Refuge and Strength

I took this picture while standing on our back patio just as Hurricane Irene was moving in.  Truthfully, nothing really amounted of the storm in our area but, we did get some beautiful clouds and cooler winds which were much appreciated.  I truly am in awe of the nature that surrounds me and all that God has created; the changing seasons, the gorgeous plants, animals, raging storms, powerful waterfalls, vast oceans and the diversity of human life.  Our God is great and mighty!

My life has felt very much like a storm for some time now.  Not everyday and not all hours of the day but quite often for well over a year now due to the challenging circumstances relating to my husband's health.  I love sharing with all of you what it is like in this season because I feel like the Lord can encourage others and minister through my transparency but, on the other hand I also want to respect the privacy of our home.  I'm always trying to find the right balance in this...I'm sure a lot of you can relate in the blogging world! lol. 

This past week was especially trying and I definitely had many breaking points of exhaustion mentally and physically.  I had many moments of wanting to run away from life or just to go hide somewhere for a long time.  The fight to hold on to joy became increasingly difficult and my heart was unbearably heavy at times.  I am pretty good at pacing myself and staying positive...just ask my momma (lol) but, I guess the reality is that I am human not Superwoman and thus I too grow weary of weathering the storm.  

Throughout this entire season I have prayed and trusted in the Lord steadfastly.  I haven't become angry at God or doubted that He loves me.  I haven't wondered why this is happening to us or why God isn't fixing everything and making our lives peachy keen again.  I get that life happens and that it rains on us all.  I get that as long as we live here on Earth that hard times and even harder times will inevitably come but, I must give all glory to God fur sustaining me during this storm as I know it is His strength and not my own.  It is often in these very dark and stormy times that God's word can come alive in a new way for us.  So many bible verses have taken on a whole new level of depth and meaning to me and I cling to them, like a ship wrecked passenger would cling to a life saving device.  God's word is powerful! It is true and holy and the promises of God steady my ship and calm the waves that try to overtake me.  

My mom prayed with me this morning over skype.  Thank you God for making us intelligent enough that we could create such a fantastic form of communication! She also reminded me of the promise in God's word about the house that is built on the rock which is Jesus, and that when the waves beat against that rock they could not prevail against it.  God is my rock.  God my refuge.  God is my strength.  God is my help when I am in trouble.  Though the circumstances in our lives can seem overwhelming or unbearable at times, God is our peace and our comforter...if we let Him be.  Sometimes that is the challenge; letting God be God and not reducing Him to our level of rational thinking.  It's easy to chant God's word out without realizing its power but, when we do take hold of the word and of God's promises we truly can remain steady in the storm. 

You may or may not be going through a storm of your own.  If you are in a storm, I pray that you can truly take hold of this verse below.  Take hold of it and don't let it go.  God is your refuge and your strength!  If all is well in your life, sweet! Then I just pray that you are also taking hold of God's promises and that you remember in your next inevitable storm that God is still good even when or if your circumstances aren't, that He loves you and that He will see you through!

If you ever need to share a prayer request with me or if you feel like a storm in your life is over taking you please shoot me an e-mail.  I would love to encourage you and remind you that God will see you through!

And now to lighten up this post I wanted to share a few pictures of my little munchkin that never made it to our blog when she was little.  Gosh, I miss that baby chunk, sweet baby breath and that chubby face smile so much!! 


I just adore this picture of Daddy and Daisy below.  It really melts my heart when I see my little girl laughing and playing with my hubby.  Is there anything sweeter?


Photobucket

17 comments:

  1. *tears* "God is my rock. God my refuge. God is my strength. God is my help when I am in trouble." Praise the Lord that you can hold on to these words! Aren't moms the greatest though? Man I'm sure thankful for mine! Stay strong Casey! I'll be praying for you:) xoxo

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  2. What a beautiful post. I needed this today, thank you.

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  3. I am praying for you and your family also. I had a song come in to my head last week that I had not heard since I was a little girl the third verse goes like this...
    Sometimes this world brings trouble I find so hard to bear. I know I could not make it without Jesus being there. It’s so encouraging to know,
    How ever deep we’re in despair….Jesus never fails!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6-_jkYb1cc

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  4. I love the pictures. The clouds are so beautiful. And seriously, why do our kids have to grow so fast. Sniff, sniff. Anyway, as always, I'm praying for you all. I miss you and it made my day to be able to catch up with you.

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  5. Oh girl, you are so beautiful and honest and encouraging. I so struggle to give God the glory in the midst of the storm, but you are doing it with such grace.

    Praise be to God that you have a relationship with your mother that leads to encouraging words, truth filled conversation, and blankets of prayer. This is such a blessing read of your relationship.

    I want you to know that I will today fall on my knees and lift you up to our great God above. May you fill His loving arms around you on this day in a way that lightens the load and brings healing to even the toughest of places.

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  6. I so appreciate your words of honesty. I love how through the storms you are looking to The Rock, & you point your readers (& friends) to Him as well!
    Thank-you for your encouragement!
    I will continue to pray for you & your sweet family!
    Jessica

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  7. It must be incredibly hard to stay strong but your doing it one day at a time. Hope your husband finds peace within

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  8. Another beautiful post, Casey. You are an amazing woman! I will pray for you, just as you have done for me, new friend. (I haven't forgotten your email...just crazy busy!) hang in there! Sending prayers and hugs your way.
    Andrea

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing your heart Casey. It is so encouraging. I try to remember that God is here and that he will carry me through this storm. In the midst of it it is hard to see that the storm will ever be over.

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  10. Your honesty and beautiful heart are just stunning. Thank you for sharing with us and helping others in y'alls position.

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  11. Casey - the way in which you share your story and your faith is truly a testament to God's awesome power and love. He has not foresaken us. I will continute to lift you up in prayer. Daisy is one blessed little girl to have parents who have such a faith and passion for God's word.

    **love the photo of D sleeping. My hub's calls that the football pose, since her wittle arms look like goal posts**

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  12. Hey Casey my sweetheart..i will keep your husband in my prayers!!! I hope he will get better soon or finds some relief with new medication or therapy. I've had a lot of those dark and stormy times too...my marriage was very unhealthy and i decided to start a new life...this time was very hard and i often thought "was it a mistake".."could i've done something better"??? I am glad that this part is over!!!But beeing in the military we often have those days...deployments...death buddies of my hubby...beeing apart so often. I sometimes don't know if i am strong enough to take this anymore. Life is really tough but i think with the belief in God and a loving partner at your side you can reach anything.

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  13. everything about this post is beautiful. love the storm cloud pics. So sorry about your husbands health. Best of luck

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  14. I'm praying for you Casey. I have learned that sometimes it is okay to just let it all out and tell God exactly how you feel - ALL of it. He always makes me feel more at peace and comforted at the end of the prayer. Hugs through the computer...

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  15. Casey I love the way you see things and can share it through your faith and beautiful talented photography. You are so full of love, kindness, strength and hope. I am so sorry your family has to endure a time that is "stormy". I have known my share of those and it can be very exhausting and hard. You are strong and your faith in God and His love for you will carry you through. It is OK to feel like hiding at times. It is human. I will pray for you and your family. Your daughter is beautiful and is the light through the storm. Have a good day my friend.

    Mama Hen

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  16. Such a inspirational post. Thanks.
    www.rebeccabany.com

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  17. Read your blog this morning.... It gave me hope. Its been a while since you wrote it... I trust you have proven God is your rock.... I needed to be reminded as I face my storm today

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