Restoration Bath

Hi to everyone.

Honestly, I don't know what to blog about.  I have been experiencing some major highs (yay!) and lows the past week and am currently in a place where things look a lot dimmer than usual and I do not feel a lot of drive or strength to advance. In this tiredness I tried to read the Bible but it isn't working like I want it to.  It's as if my ground is hard and dry and there is a slight patter of rain descending but not enough to soak me.  I need more, something from Father, His outstretched hand. Here is what my heart is crying out to God:

Father, You have amazing plans for me, You told me so.  You said that You were always with me and I believe this.  Will you lift the clouds that veil my understanding of Your goodness and the joy that can be mine by engaging with you?  And if I can't find words to say or even know what to talk about with can I rest with You and enjoy You until my heart has been softened by the rain of Your goodness?  I need a bath in it.
Restoration anyone? Click here for the song.  It came at the perfect time.

I feel His peace again, and He is reminding me of some things He told me yesterday concerning this time in my life.  He told me to discover, ask QUESTions and He would reveal some foundational things about life as He intends it.  I had never seen the QUEST in questions before, but it popped off my journal page as if God was spurring me on this QUEST for truth.  It was surprising to me that He would encourage me to ask more questions, being that I am one of His more inquisitive daughters, but I was thrilled by this invitation.  He also was wooing me with His love yesterday in many ways...and told me so.  I am so thankful for a walk in rolling hills full of luscious greenery with Sarah my dear friend, being up close with my nephew Noah and His sweet laugh, my sister Paige watching him so I could sleep longer, my favorite drink at my favorite coffee shop (dk. choc. mocha @ Coffea), and an encouraging visit with my mentor, Marge, at the Falls Park.  Best of all, He brought me joy and gave me insight and spoke into my sad places, He spoke words that the best of lovers couldn't convey and was present with me the entire time.  He didn't have to do any of that, but He is over-the-top and pursues us.
It is hard to notice at first, because it usually starts with something uncomfortable or painful, and come to find out God is pursuing our heart in the midst of that time.  It's the most opportune time for Him to show Himself strong on our behalf. :) Enjoy what He is doing in your heart at this time and how He is loving you.  Ask Him what is up.

Thanks for listening, I feel a lot better than when this post began.  Faith, hope and love are soaring again.  Thank You, Father. Remembering His goodness from the past does wonders in our present relationship and causes us to continue on in the trek with renewed faith.  At least that is how it feels right now.  I will have to check into the theological accuracy of that theory.  Ha.

May His Peace be with you ;))

Brooke

UnDeRsTaNdInG

Dear Friends,
My last post in here was over a year ago, and I rarely give my blog a thought.  It has taken it's place in my memories, but doesn't occupy current mindspace.  This past weekend, while we were enjoying being bridesmaids together in a dear friend Cassie's wedding, my friend Laura mentioned this space on the internet.  She said she liked reading it.  I liked writing it.  God is continually sharing little things with me, that I delight to share with friends because His words bring life, and change lives.  So I decided to put this into my schedule.  Life doesn't show signs of slowing down and I will take the "now or never" approach to blogging now (thanks to Laura:)).  

3-4 

"It takes wisdom to build a house,

    and understanding to set it on a firm foundation."

~Prov. 24:3

At this time last year I knew nothing about who my husband would be, where I would be at in the world, or anything much about my future.  I write this from my new appartment, which I share with my new husband, where we experience and anticipate many changes!  God is the beautiful constant, showing me how to adapt, to love and to be loving and flexible, to live with and to express my feelings and learn those of a new human being who I didn't know at this time last year!  An amazing, playful, hardworking, loving man named Karter.  That is who I married.  My mentor, Marge, just lended me her book "For Women Only", in hopes that it will make our married life more filled with understanding.  I confided in her that in spite of all the marriage talk and radio shows (like focus on the family) and books on relationships that I've read since teen years, no one told me how to be married to Karter. I am devouring this book, and longing to understand more of how this wonderfully strange mind of a man works.  A great deal of pain is spared in just UNDERSTANDING people and situations, and I eagerly ask God for this accordingly.  I showed it to Karter last night, and his eyes lit up.  He decided it would be helpful for him read it with me and confirm or deny, so that I didn't get wrong ideas about him, if that wasn't how he worked--cause honestly not all men are the same I definantly had learned.  I was excited for this opportunity to gain further understanding of my specific husband!  I think the title was appealing to him too, maybe. "For Women Only," Tehe.  Try to keep a guy out of something that forbidden. ;) So we read the first few chapters without talking.  When it was time to retire the book, I asked if it was true.  Yes.  Yes it was all true, he said.  He just didn't want to be too vocal about it because it really is a charge written to the woman about how NOT to treat her man and how to treat him.  He didn't want to rub things in--nice man that he is. I asked him if there was anything that wasn't even remotely true.  Nope.  All true. ;)  I recommend the book!  

~~

Before departing for a lunch date with my mom and long time friend, I want to merely present the truth that Father God is kind.  I have been noticing His kindness so much the past few days.  He is kind when I am frustrated, tired, vengeful, lazy, and irritated inside. His words, when I come to Him and ask, His perspective and wisdom bring so much peace and change my heart.  I would love to continue to share specifics, and plan to in the coming posts.  My goal in saying this (I am going to come right out and say it) is to encourage YOU to take everything that is weighing you down today, every thought that needs some light to be shone on it, perplexing situations, happy notions, you name it.  Bring them to the Father and let Him speak and enlighten you before any time goes by.  He wants us to be happy, liberated and liberating children, and there is no reason to be tied up in anything.  You will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free.

{Here I am gonna steal something awesome from Jude 21} 
"But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!"

BlEsSiNgS,

Brooke