tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post186362265915586764..comments2023-10-04T07:54:09.785-07:00Comments on Growing Is Beautiful: When You're Waiting To Be Made NewCourtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08019187519810116317noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-59093937025313267862013-03-12T19:38:49.951-07:002013-03-12T19:38:49.951-07:00@Kim: It's been humbling to realize that seve...@Kim: It's been humbling to realize that several months before 2013 even began, God directed me to the exact verses I would need to hold onto in each month of this new year. I was foolish enough to think I was choosing them to reflect the seasons--of the earth, of our lives, of spiritual growth--when in reality they are telling the story of my life. Yes. Only God. Grateful and humbled and, in spite of the hard days, confident that He's up to something amazing. Thankful for your prayers, Friend! And Romans 8:28 is the verse for September--yep, God really is doing something great!<br /><br />PS--I hope to be feeling well enough to catch up on your blog in the next day or two. Always encouraged by what you write, so I'm looking forward to settling in soon for a catch-up session.Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08019187519810116317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-4375769114271326022013-03-12T19:30:49.537-07:002013-03-12T19:30:49.537-07:00@Bernadette: Thank you, Dear One. Always. For l...@Bernadette: Thank you, Dear One. Always. For love and hope and prayers and hands held across the mountains and the miles. You call me brave and it makes me want to *be* brave. For you, for me, for all of us broken ones. May we believe it deep down that bravery's not found in fearlessness but in resting in Him when we want to pull away, in standing and staying when we want to run and hide, in grabbing the hands of our fellow travelers when we want to isolate and shut down, in shouting the name of Jesus when we've got no words and no strength and no courage at all. Yes. You, me, all of us on the hard road. We are brave. In Him. For Him. All because of Him.Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08019187519810116317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-11943943139988750102013-03-12T19:26:29.458-07:002013-03-12T19:26:29.458-07:00@chris: Ah, yes. I try not to "add up"...@chris: Ah, yes. I try not to "add up" all the hardships from the last months and years because it really is a bit daunting remembering everything I've been through. But you are right--it's a huge part of what makes the road so difficult. The fact that *this* hard road comes right after the other hard roads it took to get here. But I can say without hesitation that *this* hard road is less devastating than the previous ones because I am resting in being Loved and being in love with God--taking refuge in Him while the storms are raging just across the threshold. Perhaps not the path I'd have chosen for this new year but one remarkably full of hope and growth--and for that I am so very grateful. You are often on my heart, my friend across the world, and I pray that you are well and finding Him faithful along the way.Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08019187519810116317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-48053638162292819432013-03-12T19:18:30.668-07:002013-03-12T19:18:30.668-07:00@tinuviel: Yes, Friend. Hope indeed. In need of...@tinuviel: Yes, Friend. Hope indeed. In need of a lot of refreshment this week as I battle yet another virus, so I'm happily picturing those streams you've referred to and trusting God to provide sustenance in my hours of weakness. Waiting to be made new is hard. Breathing in, breathing out, and giving thanks for you and your faithful prayers. Praying you, too, are recovering from illness and regaining strength. Love to you tonight, Friend!Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08019187519810116317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-87286822960323156062013-03-12T19:00:44.270-07:002013-03-12T19:00:44.270-07:00Wow, Courtney... The verses on your calendar.... I...Wow, Courtney... The verses on your calendar.... I love how God has drawn you to His Word to show you the way through this phase. Each of the verses seems to building on the others. Knowing the plans that God has for us and trusting that they are good. Waiting on His timing with confident expectation. And watching Him make a new way. Only God could do such a thing and He is good in all He does. Praying for you, and I'm fully confident that He is up to something big and beautiful in your life. We know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! (Another fave, Romans 8:28)Kimhttp://wearegospelgirls.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-15310973797212225002013-03-10T20:11:59.075-07:002013-03-10T20:11:59.075-07:00Your calendar and your words. A daily blessing in ...Your calendar and your words. A daily blessing in my neck of the woods.<br /><br />Like you, my brave, brave friend...a bloomin' beauty in the valley.<br /><br />I'm so proud of you,<br /><br />BernadetteBernadettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332663226765227179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-19936490601505516252013-03-10T11:11:24.691-07:002013-03-10T11:11:24.691-07:00hi Courtney,
(sorry about the deleted comment abo...hi Courtney,<br /><br />(sorry about the deleted comment above; i left off the end of it by mistake!)<br /><br />long days and hard roads indeed! and not just this February...my sense from your posts is that it's been a very hard start to 2013 after a 2012 replete with trials. in those circumstances, there must, as you say, be such a temptation to "bury hurt and hope"--to trade a heart of flesh that's not only "frangible" but broken, for an unbroken and infrangible heart of stone. if you can resist that temptation, then--despite your troubles and your anguish--you are blessed! if in the midst of "change and loss and struggle and uncertainty" you can hold onto hope and to love, then you certainly are held in His love: to paraphrase 1 John 4:19, if we keep on holding onto Him in love, it is (only) because we are still held in His love.<br /><br />may the God of all comfort and hope protect and encourage and bless you--<br /><br />chris<br /><br />chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16673834639722877016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-52511227378053412312013-03-10T10:57:17.884-07:002013-03-10T10:57:17.884-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16673834639722877016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674016135108707034.post-39391628521888069852013-03-08T08:56:58.261-08:002013-03-08T08:56:58.261-08:00There is hope in these words, friend. May the Lord...There is hope in these words, friend. May the Lord indeed show you the way in the wilderness and provide plentiful refreshing streams from which you can drink.<br /><br />That song is new to me, but how majestic it is. Thanks for that.<br /><br />Grace and peace to you in Jesus, dear one. You are right: He is your refuge and truest home.tinuvielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06462001159262770932noreply@blogger.com