Serving Notice

Normally, I try to put on a brave face and make you believe that what was said doesn’t bother me. Usually, you couldn’t tell whether I was upset or glad. I’d square my shoulders, clench my teeth and fists, and march forward into the battle you send my way. Voices of my neighbors faithfully cast doubt into my heart, causing me to question the amount of striving I do.

 Is it enough? Others, do they see me struggling so?

Of course, you confirm those thoughts with, “Sure they see what you’re doing. It isn’t enough. They think you’re lazy, a taker, and waiting for someone to rescue you from your mess. You created it. You get out of it.”

When I hear those things, I push harder, do more, and add greater pressure to this weary body. But then, as I pressed, my emotions frayed, trust dwindled—even in the idea that my Father loves me—and I found myself incapable of coping with anything or anyone. This, you stole from me: Confidence in my Savior, Lord, Redeemer, and Provider and the sense of value that says, I’m worth it.

No more. 

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber, behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

(Psalm 121)

Since our last encounter, I have gone to spend time with my Father and this is what He told me: “I conceived you, planned your life from the beginning. There is nothing you can do to make Me love you less. Call on Me, I Am there day and night. I never sleep, never go on vacation, or find Myself too busy to care for you.”

Yesterday, you came to visit again and whispered some frightening things into my ear. I am not going to listen. In fact, I have called my Father and I hear Him coming. His footsteps are pounding, shaking the earth where I stand. As promised, He is presently crushing your lies and you will back down.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

(Revelation 12: 11)

I'm vising over at The Barn Door today; would love to see you there.

Thanking God everyday for you.

Anna K. Jeffrey
Writer/Editor

Sufficient Grace Writing & Editing Services
southpawscribbler@gmail.com