I had the great privilege this week to meet a man whose sight has been taken from him. He has also had a heart transplant, has malfunctioning kidneys, a wife who nearly lost her life several months ago, a son who was killed suddenly in a tragic accident, and the list goes on.
He did not share stories from his life as one might imagine; to gain sympathy or to complain. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, yet there remained an unexplainable joy brimming from his countenance and a tenderness in his voice void of bitterness or anger.
Although I was in his home for business purposes, that was quickly forgotten as we sat together with his lovely wife who served us cookies and hot tea.
He was unaware of the great need I had to hear his stories; as a matter of fact, I was unaware of the great need until I met him. Without realizing it, I had been allowing my own life circumstances to blind me. As he explained that he couldn’t see past his own outstretched hand, I realized that neither could I.
I watched with my own seeing eyes, listened with my ears and felt with my heart the deep pain of a man who has wrestled with God many times and many times has surrendered himself to the hand of his Creator a changed man.
My mind takes me back to Jacob who wrestled with God till daybreak, “When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” ….then he blessed him there.” (Genesis 32:25-29)
When was the last time you wrestled with God? Oftentimes we approach life with a passivity that lacks urgency. Just as Jacob faced the darkness of the night, wrestling with his Maker, so must we. The darkness of our circumstances lacks the power to blind us to the truth of our existence. We have been created to worship God and to bring glory to His name. It is in the blackness of night that our faith is tested; we must wrestle and hold tightly to the One who knows our name.
Is your name “Doubt,” then wrestle until you are given a new name, “Faith.” Is your name “Weary,” then hold on until daybreak when you will be given the new name, “Warrior.” God is waiting to meet you and bless you when it seems all has been stripped away.
My new friend made a comment near the end of our time together that I will never forget, “I have seen clearly through my own blind eyes the goodness of my God.”
Oh say can you see?
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Remember
As we reflect back through the course of history, there is one glaring truth that jumps out—we are a very forgetful people.
Moses reminds the Israelites, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” (Deut. 4:9) Moses goes on to remind them in greater detail that which should not be forgotten: “But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.” (Deut. 4:20)
I imagine at the words of Moses, the Israelite's sense of smell took them immediately back to the iron-smelting furnace; a reminder of their captivity under Pharaoh’s hand in Egypt.
God parted the waters of the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to cross on dry ground while Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea and the waters were brought over them and not one survived. Three days later as the Israelites were traveling through the desert of Shur without finding water, they grumbled and became angry.
A couple months later the Israelites grumbled again and said, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3)
How quickly the Israelites forgot the truth of their time spent in Egypt! Because they were hungry, they forgot that they had been slaves to the Egyptians; instead, they only remembered that they had had full stomachs.
As I gaze upon the face that stares back at me in the mirror, I must admit that I, too, am forgetful.
God opens doors that no man can open and speaks to my heart in ways that are clear and powerful-- three days later I forget.
Thankfully, God is well aware of our forgetfulness. When God gave the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament, He emphasized the importance of remembering when he said, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:6-9)
How do we remember God’s promises and the truth of His Word? Although in the Old Testament the words of the covenant were written on tablets of stone, we are told in Hebrews (8:10)“I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.”
Remember, we were slaves to sin just as the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. God has rescued us from the hands of Satan and has given us His inheritance-- His promises are as unchanging as His character.
A criminal hung on a cross on either side of Jesus, one hurled insults while the other knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk. 23:42-43)
Our past can be forgiven, our future can be redeemed, and our present is filled with purpose as we remember the One who will never forget us.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
Moses reminds the Israelites, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” (Deut. 4:9) Moses goes on to remind them in greater detail that which should not be forgotten: “But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.” (Deut. 4:20)
I imagine at the words of Moses, the Israelite's sense of smell took them immediately back to the iron-smelting furnace; a reminder of their captivity under Pharaoh’s hand in Egypt.
God parted the waters of the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to cross on dry ground while Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea and the waters were brought over them and not one survived. Three days later as the Israelites were traveling through the desert of Shur without finding water, they grumbled and became angry.
A couple months later the Israelites grumbled again and said, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3)
How quickly the Israelites forgot the truth of their time spent in Egypt! Because they were hungry, they forgot that they had been slaves to the Egyptians; instead, they only remembered that they had had full stomachs.
As I gaze upon the face that stares back at me in the mirror, I must admit that I, too, am forgetful.
God opens doors that no man can open and speaks to my heart in ways that are clear and powerful-- three days later I forget.
Thankfully, God is well aware of our forgetfulness. When God gave the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament, He emphasized the importance of remembering when he said, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:6-9)
How do we remember God’s promises and the truth of His Word? Although in the Old Testament the words of the covenant were written on tablets of stone, we are told in Hebrews (8:10)“I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.”
Remember, we were slaves to sin just as the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. God has rescued us from the hands of Satan and has given us His inheritance-- His promises are as unchanging as His character.
A criminal hung on a cross on either side of Jesus, one hurled insults while the other knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk. 23:42-43)
Our past can be forgiven, our future can be redeemed, and our present is filled with purpose as we remember the One who will never forget us.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
What is Prayer?
(I wrote this some time ago as more of a devotional and wanted to share it with anyone who may be able to relate.)
Psalm 5:1 “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.”
Have you ever been so angry frustrated or grieved that you were at a loss for words? Instead we sigh or groan or scream to God. Could emotions expressed without words be considered prayer?
There is a motivating picture of war painted for us in I Chronicles as the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh—44,760 able-bodied men ready for military service, war against four opposing tribes. As the war ensues, God hands their allies over to them “because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in him(I Chronicles 5:18-20)."
Imagine this bloody war scene with 44,760 men crying out to God -- cries in the thick of war, imploring God to come to their aid. I am convinced that their prayers were not proper, pretty prayers spoken with eloquence. They could have only been loud cries of desperation from grown men who realized their humanity and feared for their lives. As they fought, shield in one hand, sword or bow in the other, there was no denying that the only hope they had was God.
In times of great desperation, great pain, or grief, our prayers become cries, screams, groans or sighs; and sometimes complete silence or body-wrenching sobs.
In Guerillas of Grace, Ted Loder’s perspective of prayer puts it this way,
“How shall I pray?
Are tears prayers, Lord?
Are screams prayers,
Or groans
Or sighs
Or curses?
Can trembling hands be lifted to you,
Or clenched fists
Or the cold sweat that trickles down my back
Or the cramps that knot my stomach?
Will you accept my prayers, Lord,
My real prayers,
Rooted in the muck and mud and rock of my life,
And not just the pretty, cut-flower, gracefully arranged
Bouquet of words?
Will you accept me, Lord,
As I really am,
Messed up mixture of glory and grime?
As God’s children, we are not left alone in our battles and our weaknesses, “In the same way, the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Rom.8:26).” God hears our sighs and our groans, as the Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will.
In the messy battles of life, our cries and groans are lifted to heaven as we surrender our will to His. When the battle becomes so dark that we fear we will not be left standing, He hears us and answers our prayers. A breakthrough happens as we break down and trust God with every ounce of our being.
Even in our darkest moments, we are not alone.
We shall stand--shield in one hand, sword in the other, as God's fearless warriors.
Today’s Prayer: “Father, there are times when I pray and I have no words. The weight I carry can only be expressed with sighs and groans as I still myself in Your presence. Sometimes in silence I cry out to You. Holy Spirit, thank You for interceding with groans that words cannot express. Without You, I would be left without hope. Sometimes, in the middle of my battle, I am weak and unable to stand. In my weakness You reveal Yourself to me time and again with both strength and gentleness. Father, Your unfailing love shakes me to the core. In dark moments when I have nothing to offer, You still hold me in the arms of Your faithful love. I am truly a messed up mixture of glory and grime. May my confidence rest on Your character and not on my circumstances. I am desperate for more of You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Psalm 5:1 “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.”
Have you ever been so angry frustrated or grieved that you were at a loss for words? Instead we sigh or groan or scream to God. Could emotions expressed without words be considered prayer?
There is a motivating picture of war painted for us in I Chronicles as the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh—44,760 able-bodied men ready for military service, war against four opposing tribes. As the war ensues, God hands their allies over to them “because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in him(I Chronicles 5:18-20)."
Imagine this bloody war scene with 44,760 men crying out to God -- cries in the thick of war, imploring God to come to their aid. I am convinced that their prayers were not proper, pretty prayers spoken with eloquence. They could have only been loud cries of desperation from grown men who realized their humanity and feared for their lives. As they fought, shield in one hand, sword or bow in the other, there was no denying that the only hope they had was God.
In times of great desperation, great pain, or grief, our prayers become cries, screams, groans or sighs; and sometimes complete silence or body-wrenching sobs.
In Guerillas of Grace, Ted Loder’s perspective of prayer puts it this way,
“How shall I pray?
Are tears prayers, Lord?
Are screams prayers,
Or groans
Or sighs
Or curses?
Can trembling hands be lifted to you,
Or clenched fists
Or the cold sweat that trickles down my back
Or the cramps that knot my stomach?
Will you accept my prayers, Lord,
My real prayers,
Rooted in the muck and mud and rock of my life,
And not just the pretty, cut-flower, gracefully arranged
Bouquet of words?
Will you accept me, Lord,
As I really am,
Messed up mixture of glory and grime?
As God’s children, we are not left alone in our battles and our weaknesses, “In the same way, the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Rom.8:26).” God hears our sighs and our groans, as the Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will.
In the messy battles of life, our cries and groans are lifted to heaven as we surrender our will to His. When the battle becomes so dark that we fear we will not be left standing, He hears us and answers our prayers. A breakthrough happens as we break down and trust God with every ounce of our being.
Even in our darkest moments, we are not alone.
We shall stand--shield in one hand, sword in the other, as God's fearless warriors.
Today’s Prayer: “Father, there are times when I pray and I have no words. The weight I carry can only be expressed with sighs and groans as I still myself in Your presence. Sometimes in silence I cry out to You. Holy Spirit, thank You for interceding with groans that words cannot express. Without You, I would be left without hope. Sometimes, in the middle of my battle, I am weak and unable to stand. In my weakness You reveal Yourself to me time and again with both strength and gentleness. Father, Your unfailing love shakes me to the core. In dark moments when I have nothing to offer, You still hold me in the arms of Your faithful love. I am truly a messed up mixture of glory and grime. May my confidence rest on Your character and not on my circumstances. I am desperate for more of You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Nothing Left But a Memory
I awoke this morning to news from a friend about our old high school and church; the entire building collapsed due to heavy snow. The building also housed the Bible school that I attended, which is where I met my husband. We were married in that church over 25 years ago as were all three of my sisters. I looked the building up on the Alaska news channel and to my surprise the only thing remaining was a pile of rubble. So many memories were made in that building that now lay in ruins.
Ironic, the timing of this event, as it has given me words to what I have been feeling in my own life; although time is not a respecter of person, and change is inevitable, we must hold onto those memories that have helped knit us into the person that we are today. When all we have to hold onto is a memory, we must protect the memory, as we reflect back and see God’s fingerprints in each chapter of our lives.
Time has a wonderful way of helping us remember moments that we hold dear, while in actuality, the moments may have been very difficult or painful. The lessons gleaned in the thrust of life’s battles are invaluable; battle scars serve as reminders that we will never be the same having gone through the battle. In difficult times, we remember most clearly the deep feelings of the circumstance more than the actual circumstance. Did we feel loved, did we feel abandoned, did we feel cared for, did we feel despair, hope, love, etc.?
Mixed with the memory of the moment is the beauty of watching our own lives unfold as we look back and see how the pain and joy of life has impacted the condition of our own hearts. Somehow we make it through the deepest valleys to the peaks of mountains time and again; holding onto the memories of our journey. In time, our experiences and memories may be pulled to share with another who is experiencing a similar situation. Other times, the memories are ours alone to keep tucked away for our own growth.
There is nothing to prove and nothing to change from past events in our lives; each day is given but once and then it is gone. There are no guarantees, no return policies and no refunds on this tangible existence that we call life.
May God’s grace and love continue to carry us through each new day.
Just as my old church lies in an unidentifiable pile of rubble, one day we, too, shall return to dust. One day, when we are nothing more than a memory, may it be said of us that our lives were lived selflessly, full of love, in total obedience to our Father, bringing honor and glory to His name.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Ironic, the timing of this event, as it has given me words to what I have been feeling in my own life; although time is not a respecter of person, and change is inevitable, we must hold onto those memories that have helped knit us into the person that we are today. When all we have to hold onto is a memory, we must protect the memory, as we reflect back and see God’s fingerprints in each chapter of our lives.
Time has a wonderful way of helping us remember moments that we hold dear, while in actuality, the moments may have been very difficult or painful. The lessons gleaned in the thrust of life’s battles are invaluable; battle scars serve as reminders that we will never be the same having gone through the battle. In difficult times, we remember most clearly the deep feelings of the circumstance more than the actual circumstance. Did we feel loved, did we feel abandoned, did we feel cared for, did we feel despair, hope, love, etc.?
Mixed with the memory of the moment is the beauty of watching our own lives unfold as we look back and see how the pain and joy of life has impacted the condition of our own hearts. Somehow we make it through the deepest valleys to the peaks of mountains time and again; holding onto the memories of our journey. In time, our experiences and memories may be pulled to share with another who is experiencing a similar situation. Other times, the memories are ours alone to keep tucked away for our own growth.
There is nothing to prove and nothing to change from past events in our lives; each day is given but once and then it is gone. There are no guarantees, no return policies and no refunds on this tangible existence that we call life.
May God’s grace and love continue to carry us through each new day.
Just as my old church lies in an unidentifiable pile of rubble, one day we, too, shall return to dust. One day, when we are nothing more than a memory, may it be said of us that our lives were lived selflessly, full of love, in total obedience to our Father, bringing honor and glory to His name.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Caged Lion
Wildly he paces back and forth on the worn path of his confined environment. He has room to move and stretch; but no room to do what he was created to do-- run. Time has fatigued his spirit, though memories of freedom often revisit him as he restlessly slumbers.
Passers-by stop at his man-made habitat, beholding his beauty, admiring his strength and size. Although he appears to be tame and broken; he is not. He cannot conform to the small cage and tasteless food for he knows that his identity lies beyond the boundaries of his closterphobic environment.
He attempts to rest beneath the shade of a tree amidst the clamor and commotion of the crowd. Cameras flash, shouts and whistles penetrate his space. His spirit fights within to not lash out. Though caged, he is fully able to scare even the bravest onlooker. However, the full wrath of his fury cannot be unleashed. Instead, turning his slouched body against the crowd, his sad eyes drop from view.
He remembers days of past when both his legs and his spirit thundered across the rolling plains; days when he was surrounded by those who knew him intimately. Respected within his pride, freedom was the aroma that surrounded his every breath. Fully alive, fully unleashed, fully living in the potential he was created to reach.
Dying at the jaws of an enemy would be a welcome death compared to that of his spirit dying within him. The very essence of who he was born to be slowly fades as the daily demands of his new world rape him of his identity. Although his physical needs are met, the despair and loneliness in his chest ache beyond his ability to understand. He lies listless in the afternoon sun, waiting for nothing.
I am that caged lion; sad eyes, slouched shoulders. The world closes in, suffocating my spirit, begging me to match that which I was not created to match. I pace back and forth, restless and angry. I am a foreigner in a foreign land. Sleepless nights meet me. I question my Maker as to the true purpose of my existence. He looks at me and sees me as who He created to me be; but I am unable to see past my encaged environment.
I am unable to conform to my environment, unwilling to settle for complacency, uninterested in pretension, and unbelievably restless; an angry, pacing lion.
I pray for humility. However, I also pray for boldness and courage to stay true to my God-created identity. I will not shrink back nor cower; for I and the lion are kindred-- both created to run wildly in total abandon, leaving behind no regrets. unleashing the spirit within and breaking free from the confines of our cages.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Passers-by stop at his man-made habitat, beholding his beauty, admiring his strength and size. Although he appears to be tame and broken; he is not. He cannot conform to the small cage and tasteless food for he knows that his identity lies beyond the boundaries of his closterphobic environment.
He attempts to rest beneath the shade of a tree amidst the clamor and commotion of the crowd. Cameras flash, shouts and whistles penetrate his space. His spirit fights within to not lash out. Though caged, he is fully able to scare even the bravest onlooker. However, the full wrath of his fury cannot be unleashed. Instead, turning his slouched body against the crowd, his sad eyes drop from view.
He remembers days of past when both his legs and his spirit thundered across the rolling plains; days when he was surrounded by those who knew him intimately. Respected within his pride, freedom was the aroma that surrounded his every breath. Fully alive, fully unleashed, fully living in the potential he was created to reach.
Dying at the jaws of an enemy would be a welcome death compared to that of his spirit dying within him. The very essence of who he was born to be slowly fades as the daily demands of his new world rape him of his identity. Although his physical needs are met, the despair and loneliness in his chest ache beyond his ability to understand. He lies listless in the afternoon sun, waiting for nothing.
I am that caged lion; sad eyes, slouched shoulders. The world closes in, suffocating my spirit, begging me to match that which I was not created to match. I pace back and forth, restless and angry. I am a foreigner in a foreign land. Sleepless nights meet me. I question my Maker as to the true purpose of my existence. He looks at me and sees me as who He created to me be; but I am unable to see past my encaged environment.
I am unable to conform to my environment, unwilling to settle for complacency, uninterested in pretension, and unbelievably restless; an angry, pacing lion.
I pray for humility. However, I also pray for boldness and courage to stay true to my God-created identity. I will not shrink back nor cower; for I and the lion are kindred-- both created to run wildly in total abandon, leaving behind no regrets. unleashing the spirit within and breaking free from the confines of our cages.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Draw Me Nearer Lord
In the darkness, in the night,
Only One can bring forth light.
In the lonely broken places, places no one else can see,
Awaits my loving, gracious Father longing to meet with me.
He holds me close and though I’m weak and fear I cannot stand,
He draws me nearer, ever nearer and lovingly holds my hand.
There is something He has shown me—that though I feel alone,
He will never fail to meet me as I kneel before His throne.
There are questions needing answers; there are many things which I fear,
Yet there is peace within the storm as He relentlessly draws me near.
How can it be that the One who sees me, He who knows me like none other,
Refuses to leave me to myself, staying closer than a brother?
He is my God, whom I am learning to trust, though storms gust and gale winds blow,
Lessons learned midst crashing waves must be faced for one to grow.
And yet He draws me nearer, ever nearer, He never leaves nor turns away,
Ever so gently He does direct me through fog when days are grey.
Strongholds must be stripped away, and though the pain is great,
He continues to draw me nearer as I kneel before Him, trust and wait.
I know that He will keep me, though storm clouds temper my mind,
So I pour out my heart to the One who draws me near, as I ask, and seek and find.
In the middle of my weakness, in the broken shattered place,
He lifts my face toward heaven, ever filling me with His radiance and grace.
So, though my heart cannot understand and though my mind cannot perceive,
As He draws me nearer, ever nearer, I will stay here in His presence and humbly
receive.
For there is nothing else that matters, when in His presence I do stay,
I will ever love and seek Him; so draw me nearer, Lord, I pray.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Only One can bring forth light.
In the lonely broken places, places no one else can see,
Awaits my loving, gracious Father longing to meet with me.
He holds me close and though I’m weak and fear I cannot stand,
He draws me nearer, ever nearer and lovingly holds my hand.
There is something He has shown me—that though I feel alone,
He will never fail to meet me as I kneel before His throne.
There are questions needing answers; there are many things which I fear,
Yet there is peace within the storm as He relentlessly draws me near.
How can it be that the One who sees me, He who knows me like none other,
Refuses to leave me to myself, staying closer than a brother?
He is my God, whom I am learning to trust, though storms gust and gale winds blow,
Lessons learned midst crashing waves must be faced for one to grow.
And yet He draws me nearer, ever nearer, He never leaves nor turns away,
Ever so gently He does direct me through fog when days are grey.
Strongholds must be stripped away, and though the pain is great,
He continues to draw me nearer as I kneel before Him, trust and wait.
I know that He will keep me, though storm clouds temper my mind,
So I pour out my heart to the One who draws me near, as I ask, and seek and find.
In the middle of my weakness, in the broken shattered place,
He lifts my face toward heaven, ever filling me with His radiance and grace.
So, though my heart cannot understand and though my mind cannot perceive,
As He draws me nearer, ever nearer, I will stay here in His presence and humbly
receive.
For there is nothing else that matters, when in His presence I do stay,
I will ever love and seek Him; so draw me nearer, Lord, I pray.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
In The Middle
There are landmarks when we travel that tell us where we are. Sometimes they are helpful and other times they are only informative; such as the small town in Wisconsin which informed me I was half-way between the North Pole and the equator. Knowing I was in the middle of something which wouldn’t impact my life one way or the other seemed perfectly safe.
However, in life—real life, I am learning that being in the middle of something looks much different. Truthfully, being in the middle of a difficult season can be confusing. There are no signs posted along the way letting one know that though it may feel like the middle, there may be a long road ahead still to travel before reaching the end. Being in the middle of something can last for minutes, days, weeks, months and even years.
The dictionary defines “middle” as an equal distance from the extremities of something; central. “Middle” is the point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edge, or ends of something; being at neither one extreme nor the other. Yet, in real life, being in the middle of a difficulty or hardship can most definitely take you to the end of something—yourself.
As challenges present themselves, we attempt to discern if our own struggles should remain a secret or if we are safe to share the truth of what our world looks like, even in the messy middle.
Oftentimes, we may feel validated to share of a dark season or a deep valley experience after we have reached the other side. Once we’ve put ourselves back together and are “all better,” our stories become safe as we cross from the middle of crisis to the safety of the other side.
Being in the middle of pain, heartache, fear, and circumstances beyond our control can cause us to retreat and fade away deep into the basements of our souls. Hope fades from sight when time does not bring us a happy ending.
I am learning that though I can easily lose faith in the middle of a tumultuous season, God still remains faithful. I am learning that sometimes dark seasons can only be brightened by the truth of God’s Word. I am learning that many things are lost during a storm, but there are two things which God tells us we must hold onto-- our courage and our hope (Heb.3:6).
If you are in the middle of something, may I encourage your heart today with Truth? Although there is much joy when standing high on the mountain; there is no place closer to God’s heart than when we are broken and messy, smack dab in the middle of high waves.
God is not hiding from us in the middle of our circumstances; instead He lovingly holds us as we allow Him to reveal all that must be revealed so that we may learn to trust Him and to know Him.
In the beginning there was God, in the end He will remain faithful—and in the middle He is the rock upon which we will stand.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
However, in life—real life, I am learning that being in the middle of something looks much different. Truthfully, being in the middle of a difficult season can be confusing. There are no signs posted along the way letting one know that though it may feel like the middle, there may be a long road ahead still to travel before reaching the end. Being in the middle of something can last for minutes, days, weeks, months and even years.
The dictionary defines “middle” as an equal distance from the extremities of something; central. “Middle” is the point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edge, or ends of something; being at neither one extreme nor the other. Yet, in real life, being in the middle of a difficulty or hardship can most definitely take you to the end of something—yourself.
As challenges present themselves, we attempt to discern if our own struggles should remain a secret or if we are safe to share the truth of what our world looks like, even in the messy middle.
Oftentimes, we may feel validated to share of a dark season or a deep valley experience after we have reached the other side. Once we’ve put ourselves back together and are “all better,” our stories become safe as we cross from the middle of crisis to the safety of the other side.
Being in the middle of pain, heartache, fear, and circumstances beyond our control can cause us to retreat and fade away deep into the basements of our souls. Hope fades from sight when time does not bring us a happy ending.
I am learning that though I can easily lose faith in the middle of a tumultuous season, God still remains faithful. I am learning that sometimes dark seasons can only be brightened by the truth of God’s Word. I am learning that many things are lost during a storm, but there are two things which God tells us we must hold onto-- our courage and our hope (Heb.3:6).
If you are in the middle of something, may I encourage your heart today with Truth? Although there is much joy when standing high on the mountain; there is no place closer to God’s heart than when we are broken and messy, smack dab in the middle of high waves.
God is not hiding from us in the middle of our circumstances; instead He lovingly holds us as we allow Him to reveal all that must be revealed so that we may learn to trust Him and to know Him.
In the beginning there was God, in the end He will remain faithful—and in the middle He is the rock upon which we will stand.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
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