Sweet Sounds

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear! It soothes her sorrows, heals her wounds, and drives away her fear.

I woke up and burst into tears this morning. I think part of it is being frustrated because I love to go places and do things. Right now its not an option because most of my best pondering places are closed.  I've got compromised immunity because of the meds I'm on and am scared that I'll catch "the virus" so I've been trying to stay home.

I decided to go to pray this morning about the loss that I feel.  My best pondering place in KC is in front of Waterlilies by Monet at Nelson Atkins Art Museum. Waterlilies has been a source of contentment in my life.  Its been my steadfast place where I've ran to since I was 22 fresh outta college. In times of trepidation or delight it is where go to get grounded. It is my place of solace where I ponder and pray. Where I feel the love of my Heavenly Father at my core.

 I feel like Waterlilies is an old friend at this point that is too far and scarce to find in our new reality.  My pondering to my Heavenly Daddy has been ; Why didn't I get one more chance? One more chance before they locked the doors to be with Daddy.

I know that sounds crash, right?  It's a piece of artwork not a human friend. The grace of God is he hears our prayers even those that are selfish like my Waterlilies whiny prayer. It popped into my head that the painting and place was merely just a thought away.  I felt like God said close your eyes, use your great imagination Sherry...guess what you are there.  And, I was there in front of Waterlilies.  Then I heard "tell me" and with eyes closed I poured my heart out:
"I feel unheard and scared.  I feel so much that I've got no words for". 

 I heard this back "Tell me about it, kid, I see what is going on not only with you but the rest of my children. I'm in pain over it because you are forgetting whose in charge, who loves you so much I created you because the world couldn't be without a Sherry. A sweet Sherry that hears me and closes her eyes and sees Waterlilies. A sweet Sherry that knows I've got her but is trying to prep things for the worst rather than hope and see the best.   I roar over you to break the fear of the unknown because you are listening".

I think its quite possible for me and perhaps you to listen today.  Not to the news or all the pings on our phones.  Maybe we each need to take time to close our eyes and go to our best pondering place.  If you don't have one you can use Waterlilies.  Unload it all allow our Heavenly Daddy to respond and to roar over you.  It feels better trust me.

The world right now is not perfect. That's when grace over rides if you allow it. After pondering this of course I checked my phone that had been pinging as I wrote.  I clicked on a new Instagram post and found this ; How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear! It soothes her sorrows, heals her wounds, and drives away her fear.

May you allow God's grace and mercy soothe you sorrows, heal your wounds, and take away your fears today.  Amen

Peace be with you-Sherry

Mother's Intuition

I've been praying and asking for words of encouragement this morning as Dale and Emily, my kids, travel to Maryville to get Dale's dorm room cleaned out. His college is going to have the dorms open until next Monday when all key cards will be deactivated. Northwest said that students should come to grab their textbooks and clothing but prepare to return sometime in April. 

This little red hen went to the Lord in prayer yesterday.  I wanted and needed confirmation that what I think is right. I needed the confirmation. What I got was the word intuition and this morning resound.  Ohh, Lord, I just need to hear "it is so".  

Let's begin with yesterday afternoon. We got the email from my son's college. I wanted to jump in the Sandymobile , go to the 'ville, clear out his dorm room, and get home as fast as I could. I did not do this. I went to my Heavenly Daddy in prayer.  He sent back the word intuition. I pressed on in prayer about intuition ; "should I rely on my own?". The response took my breath away.  It was simply this ; close your eyes, take a deep breath, and know I am with you. You can see with my eyes, ears, and heart daughter, you know wrong from right...use your Daddy's intuition as your own. 

I took that deep breath and closed my eyes and took a few more deep breaths. I knew we should go to Maryville to get Dale's things. I could sense that I wasn't the one that was going to go. I was to stay behind. I would over complicate things. 

I had my kids at the kitchen table last night and as I started to talk about Maryville. I froze up. I began to cry. I started to feel my heart beat faster and my skin prickle. I was having an anxiety attack. I haven't had an anxiety attack for a while but I knew what it was. As I started to sob and gasp for air my kids took over. They got an inhaler, spoke softly and calmly, and got my a drink of water. They began to stop their mom's unraveling.  They began to talk about going to get Dale's stuff from his dorm room and made a plan to do it in the morning. 

As they talked I wept not because of the anxiety attack but of the goodness of God. He created two remarkable children that he allowed me to mother hen.  He made them calm, sensible, filled with wonder and tenacity.  They used  God given intuition right in front of me so I could learn.  I wept and marveled at the goodness of our Heavenly Daddy. 

This morning as I was thanking God for revealing his intuition and how to use it.  I heard the word "resound".  Resound is a sound or voice that fills a space loud enough to echo.  I began to pray and was sent to Psalm 96:11 "Let the heavens be glad and earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness". Ohh, Lord, you know that I'm a city kid and nature isn't my jam.  Then he sent me to Isaiah 42:12 "Make God's glory resound; echo his praises from coast to coast". 

I thought, ok, Lord, I can do that.  I can praise you through writing about my experience.  I can praise you as I embark on doing art classes twice this week via FB live.  I'm reminded how at my very worst during my cancer journey I told God that I would still praise him even if I go out kicking, screaming, and proclaiming his name. I'm reminded I need to start clicking the publish on my blogs rather than save.  

Have you had some restless nights or days ? How about an anxiety attack?  I feel your pain and want you to know the Lord does too.  He is groaning to hear you come to him and purge all your fears, pain, and discomfort. He is eager, willing, and calls you his beloved even when you don't know you are.  The beauty of relationship with our Heavenly Daddy is that we get to be real, honest, and be ourselves. We don't have to omit or leave anything behind as we talk to him. I would encourage you to have a chat time with God. If you need someone to chat with you know I'm here too.  You are welcome to message me and it would be my honor to pray over you.  

Peace be with you- Sherry 

writing prayer

Be blessed you oh’ creative one. Be encouraged with what has and what is about to come. May your eyes be enlightened by the knowledge of God, with the purpose of your mind to create written words to inspire who Christ is. Your willingness for the kingdom and for Christ himself is not done in vain but rather for glorification to our Father above. From my heart to yours, may your needs be met and your desires be given as you sacrifice your time to give.