Invited to Rest & Be Encouraged by Carol Harrison

 

This prompt, about sharing how God invites me to share my days and year with Him, excited me when I first read it. I usually take time at the end of a year to reflect back on how God has worked in my life in various areas and then ponder where He is leading me for the upcoming year. Sometimes there is a word or a verse to claim and yet as 2021 ended with its challenges and triumphs, I found myself in a desert place which continued into the new year.

To be honest I’m feeling tired, discouraged, and struggling with focusing on the next day or week let alone figuring out where God is leading for an entire year. Deep down I realize feelings can be fickle. But even knowing that doesn’t stop them from puffing themselves up to the utmost importance and pushing facts to the side. They bring with them lies which make me feel like an imposter, a fraud, and a failure at times.

2022 has begun and I need to focus on the facts. God never changes. He is the same today as He was in the past and will continue to be in the future. His promises are sure and trustworthy. He doesn’t lie. This changes my thinking towards reflecting on the past year and looking ahead. I wait to hear the invitation God offers for right now in my life and writing.

The word God gave me last year turned out to be a phrase, connect with compassion. He also challenged me to be a good steward of the gifts He bestowed on me and write. Despite the tough times, the challenges, and changes in plans, words flowed and pieces of my writing and books were published. Most importantly, God used them to touch people.

Despite the productivity and encouragement I received, I felt like I had landed on a merry-go-round spinning out of control. Connecting became more difficult. I didn’t like the lack of compassion I saw in the world around me. My focus swirled with the wild ride and I lost sight of the promise of God that He never leaves me or forsakes me. My focus turned inward instead of to the One in control of all things, including me. I needed to get off that merry-go-round and refocus.

As I contemplate what God’s invitation for this coming year should look like, I long to shut out the cacophony of busyness and let go of the distractions. God invites me to come to the well of His unfailing love and mercy. I have a picture in my mind me by a tiny stream, a trickle really, longing to plunge into the depths of life-giving water. I follow one step at a time until the trickle grows bigger and leads to an unending supply – God’s supply - of refreshing water. I don’t have to remain in the desert. He invites me to come and find rest in Him.

In Isaiah 49:8-13 I read about the Lord's plan for the restoration of Israel. Several verses jumped out at me during this time when the darkness of discouragement, the busyness of life, and the lies of Satan threaten to swallow me and I know God has other plans than for me to dwell in the desert. 

Isaiah 49: 10 “They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. “

And in verse 13 I read, “Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”

Last year's phrase was connect with compassion and this year the God of all compassion invites me to come and find rest in His promises. He longs to encourage me while I continue to be a good steward of the gifts He has given. 

 

Carol Harrison writes from the heart about real-life and promises from God's Word. She longs to share the glimpses of joy and glimmers of hope with others along the journey. You can find her through her em
 

Friends of the Heart by Valerie Ronald

When she enters the room where our women’s Bible study group meets, she breaks down in tears, her pain and sorrow over a wayward daughter spilling out where she knows she is safe with friends. She is embraced and given freedom to cry without hurry, without judgement; just loved because she is precious to us. We listen, encourage, share a little of our own similar stories, then we pray and talk about the faithfulness of God and how He has all things in hand concerning this situation. Later there is laughter, sweet, reviving laughter to lift our spirits and bond our hearts. Our friend leaves refreshed.

I have known many people in my life, but only a few would I call friends of the heart. Though unique, there is a common tenor in each relationship which sets it apart as a true friendship. They refresh my heart, and I delight in refreshing theirs. True friends renew each other’s spirit and vigor. They encourage and believe in one another, so time spent together is energizing, not draining. A synergy occurs when giving friends share freely of their love and support, spurring one another on to bloom as God intended.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Prov. 11:25 NIV)

The women’s Bible study group I mentioned came about at the prompting of the Holy Spirit when a new friend asked me to start it. I was already meeting for prayer with two other women, so we formed a group of four. Only God could bring such unique personalities and life histories together to create a connection beyond a formal study. We all have a passion for God’s Word, seeking to learn it and live it in our daily lives. Hearing from each other how this is working out is a source of encouragement and faith-building. We share our triumphs and struggles on an intimate heart level rare in this day of social media isolation. Trust, compassion, respect, love; all intertwine to refresh our spirits and make us eager to meet each week. God is refreshing us through the study of His Word and the bonding of our Christ-centered friendships.

Another source of positive friendship for me is the writers group I have been a part of for many years. I would not be writing this post for InScribe today if not for the reviving camaraderie and encouragement of my peers in this group. The isolation required in being a writer can be lonely at times. I am inspired through interacting with fellow writers who have a common goal, who understand the joys and challenges of our calling and who genuinely seek to bring out the best in each other. Some of the friendships made here have spilled over into time spent together outside the group and with each other’s families, where our bond has grown beyond writing into friendship on other levels.

  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Prov. 27:17)

Jesus is our truest friend, one who sticks closer than a brother and refreshes our spirit as only He can do. He also provides for our need for human connection through those kindred spirits He brings into our lives, who love with a pure heart and speak with grace --- friends of the heart.


 

  Valerie Ronald lives in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She is a graduate of Vancouver’s Langara College journalism program, and has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer, public speaker and bookstore employee.Valerie finds being a member of the Manitoba Christian Writers Association has honed her writing skills and confidence. She writes devotionals for her home church bulletins and her online blog. Her current book project chronicles how God’s faithfulness saw her through the dark valleys of divorce and cancer. Along with her husband, Valerie enjoys spending time with their blended family and six grandchildren.She is a nature photographer, water colourist, cat lover and Scrabble addict.

 More of her devotionals can be read on her blog https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

A Season of Refreshment by Lynn Dove

A refreshing drive into the mountains - Highway 1 towards Canmore, Alberta

My oncology visit in January was one I had dreaded.  Why do I always get nervous? I chided myself before my meeting with my doctor.  I was cancer-free,... or was I?  I don't know how many more times I needed to be encouraged by the doctors, but one more time couldn't hurt...could it?

My oncologist tried to reassure me,  "It is not unusual for cancer survivors to be nervous about cancer returning."  She was right about that.  I thought I had beaten cancer in 2001 once and for all, but with the diagnosis last year, I wasn't sure anymore. 

"It's not metastatic."  she said.  Meaning that my endometrial cancer was not a result of a spread of cancer to other organs in my body from my battle with breast cancer, it was an entirely new fight. 

"What does that even mean?" I asked. 

"It's just dumb luck you got cancer twice," she said.  Funny.  I had heard the same phrase from my surgical oncologist in 2001 when I asked how I could have gotten breast cancer.  "Dumb luck," he had said.

I don't believe in luck. I whispered to myself.  "I don't need any more of that kind of "luck"." I said aloud.

"No kidding, right?" she grinned and patted my knee.

Still, it's like an icy presence looking over my shoulder playing peek-a-boo with my emotions.  Would I feel it at every doctor's visit from now on?  The fear, along with the half expected words, "It's back."

She patted my knee again.  "You're doing great!  I also think you can come off the blood thinner injections AND I don't need to see you for another four months."

My husband smiled.  He has been with me to every treatment, every appointment, and I could see the relief in his eyes.  He has never been a fan of hospitals and knowing we don't have to be near one for four months (God willing) was a huge relief.  I thought about the fact I don't have to give myself needles anymore.  A huge weight lifted off of me.  I mentally pushed those icy fingers off of my shoulders and felt lighter in mind, body and spirit.  Throughout those challenging months of treatments, I had longed and prayed for the recovery phase.  Now it seemed I finally had the confidence to move past recovery to another level of wellness: refreshment.  I praised God as we left the cancer clinic and the words to one of my favourite hymns immediately came to mind:

"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, they compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

The mountains beckoned to us a couple days later.  The normalcy of taking a scenic drive, having lunch with my husband, planning future excursions together, dreaming, drinking in all the sights and sounds around us, we both felt invigorated.  I felt refreshed.  I praised God for the day, for the week, for allowing me to experience this new season of refreshment.  The warm, Chinook wind lifted my wig nearly off my head, so I discarded it and have not worn it since.  It is like shedding another layer, discarding another reminder, another symbol of what I have battled and beaten again.  My newly sprouted, extremely short, dark hair is a "fashion statement", as my husband calls it.  "Show it off!" he said. 

I am enjoying this Season of Refreshment by doing some early spring cleaning, embracing the days with renewed energy.  God continues to comfort me through His people, and His Word.  Worshiping God through song, I am ever mindful that He is faithful.  Once again, I have experienced His compassions and I am now renewed.

"Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #245
Thomas O. Chisholm (1923)  Public Domain
Lamentations 3:22-23

Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes.  A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner.  Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com   

Relief From Weariness - Carol Harrison

Weariness follows me like a lost puppy dog more often than I like to admit, causing discouragement to grab hold and scare away the words and the confidence of hearing God's voice correctly. Life overwhelms me when busyness pulls in too many directions at once or tough times try to obliterate joy, peace, and light. Sometimes the worn out feeling makes me long to pull the covers over my head so I do not have to face whatever the day might bring. At times like this I long to be refreshed over and over again, more than at other times in my life.

Looking at this month's prompt forced me to take a long, hard deep inside myself to find out what helps me be refreshed. It should be easy, shouldn't it, to know what refreshes me and helps me keep going? Yet, in the midst of being worn out and pulled in many directions, I forget to pause and take seriously God's command, which I have written on a card on my desk, "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a.

The self-examination yielded a few key elements for refreshment and renewal.

Music, the old hymns especially, refresh me and always have from the time of my childhood until now. When I remember to be still, to pause, to have a time of refreshing, I allow the melody of songs to wash over me and the words to move me towards a focus on God. The combination of words and music speaks deep into my heart.

With my hearing aids blue-toothed to my phone, I can listen to music with no distractions. The last time I had to stay in the hospital and self-pity came to call, I took my phone, found a two-hour worship video on YouTube, popped in my hearing aids and listened without disturbing anyone else. I lay on my hospital bed with eyes closed, quietly worshiping God until self-pity slunk from the room.

Water also relaxes me and brings a time of refreshment into my life. I love being at a lake with the waves gently lapping against the shore and pine trees in the background. A bonus includes the call of the loon and the display of God's artistry in  spectacular sunrises or sunsets. Since I rarely have the opportunity to visit a lake and in winter ice covers the soothing water, I have several photos by my desk of these peaceful scenes to remind me of the beauty of God's creation.

Even waterfalls, especially trickling down the side of a mountain,  white water rapids, or rivers give me a sense of refreshing with the sound of the rushing water. These times near water remind me that Jesus is the Living Water - powerful, cleansing, and restorative.

 

Reading has been another means for refreshing my spirit. Sometimes when I have trouble concentrating and words don't flow onto the page, or life's tough moments threaten to overwhelm, I retreat into a book. I pick a fiction book, some light reading, and lose myself from the daily grind. I escape my own reality and live vicariously through someone else's adventures. The end result leaves me feeling like I have experienced a mini vacation.

As wonderfully refreshing as music, water, and reading are to me, I need time to be still in God's presence and look into His Word to totally soothe, refresh, and restore the broken bits of life that prohibit creative juices and strain relationships. I look at promises such as Isaiah 43:1-3a "But now this is what the Lord says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;"

God knows all about me, including my name. He sees my weariness. He hears my cries. He knows my desire to listen to His still, small voice and follow where He leads. He refreshes my soul and restores peace in the middle of this crazy, busy life.









Carol Harrison lives, writes, and tells stories from her home in Saskatoon where she lives with her husband, Brian. She has two published books and a number of published short stories, poems and articles. She loves to encourage others so they can find glimmers of hope and glimpses of joy.

The Magic of Golden Apples by Bob Jones

Do you ever feel like you are living in Narnia?

The writing life can be like living in the cursed kingdom born in the imagination of Clive Staples Lewis where it’s always winter and never Christmas. Spirits sag. Exhaustion sets in. The forecast is for more snow and cold of the emotional kind. Are you living or renting space in such a place?

Narnia’s spell was conquered by the “deep magic from before the dawn of time” and the inhabitants could finally brighten their dark days. Words are the source of a deep magic for my writer’s Narnia. Words - particularly affirming words - brighten my dark days. Gary Chapman lists words of affirmation as one of his five love languages. Affirmation is the language of my soul.

Words of affirmation are refreshing - invigorating. The right words at the right time from the right person are like gold. The sage of the ancient Book of Proverbs opined, "words fitly spoken are like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

The proverb suggests the esteem Solomon placed upon well-chosen words. In his day, when a banquet was given by an Eastern king it was customary to present each guest with a golden apple. These golden apples were placed upon the tables in lovely baskets of silver filagree work and then through the meshes the glittering fruit delighted the guests.

My spirit and writing are rejuvenated through words fitly spoken or written.

Hugh Macmillan says, "The term translated 'fitly' is a very curious one in the original Hebrew. It signifies 'wheels,' and means a word that rolled smoothly and pleasantly from the lips of the speaker to the ears of the hearer. The wise man says that each of your words should be like a vehicle on easy-going wheels, so smooth and courteous that it would produce no jar or shock to either speaker or hearer; not hurt by any harshness or roughness, or leave a painful rut behind in the memory."

Case in point. Vahen King is the first Miss Wheelchair Canada, and founder of Going Farther. I admire her grit and grace. Vahen invited me to organize a mental health conference with her for Bell Let's Talk Day in Edmonton. She invited me be the closing speaker. The day following the Conference she posted on Facebook,

"Bob was REMARKABLE yesterday, and I couldn't think of a better way to end our day, he was funny, engaging, powerful, and challenged us in MANY ways."

Vahen described me as “funny.” Her comment was like a gold star. It’s important to me as a speaker to hear people laugh. It’s a signal that they are emotionally engaged. I’m not naturally funny so I have to work at it. I don’t always succeed.

After publishing a monthly Inscribe contribution, I wait a few days and check for golden apples of fitly written comments on my post. (I can count on the Inscribe tribe to excel at affirming engagement.) I’m refreshed by what people take away from my writing.

I like the words of one unknown author:

“Bring me all the flowers today,

Whether pink, or rose, or red.

I'd rather have just one blossom now

Than a whole truckload

When I'm dead.”

Apples of gold, blossoms of pink, or words of affirmation – they are the magic that breaks the curse of a Narnian winter on a writer’s soul.

Alive Again - Linda Aleta Tame

  Alive Again 

To rise up at dawn

hear meadow lark

emerge from shadow

recall a song

recover the lost

To see the sunrise

& spring grasses

the smell of fresh rain

early blossoms

trees verdant budding

To breathe the Spirit

expand the heart

be embraced in love

quickened with life

A Living Saviour

 

 
 "My beloved spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.'" Song of Songs 2:10-11 (NIV)