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To Play to His Tune.

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The surrendered bow,
A tool in the musician’s right hand to make music.
The bow has no choice of direction; it simply follows the guided hand. The hairs are stretched tight, uncomfortable, yet when pulled just so it produces music that inspires people and brings holy tears.

Music that moves individuals closer to God, the Maker of Life itself.
What if you and I could have the same power as a violin in a crowded world? What if our quiet surrenders could call people to JESUS?
What if you and I could motivate people, encourage others to seek fully after God? What if our quiet surrender was what allowed others to see Him, hear Him, in the dark? What if our lives were the beautiful song, the testimony of His grace in the middle of brokenness?
“There are many are the plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel that will stand.” Prov. 19:21 (NJKV)

In many ways, this is how God is with me.
I complain and tell the Lord how I believe the song of my life should be written. This thing should happen here, and then this will happen, so the song of my life should sound like so. I must let God lead me in His own personal song for me, a song of surrender, a release of control. I must release how I want my life to look and not expect my music to sound like anyone else’s. God’s plan for each of us is uniquely structured so He can receive the most glory, even through our broken hearts.

The painful hours of being lifted and played God’s way is necessary in life, for growth. My pulling and pushing away from God, from growing His way, only makes things harder, less harmonious. My stubborn spirit only makes the process of surrender longer. This struggle hinders intimacy with my Creator and stunts my growth.
Why would I argue with the Maker of life itself? The bow does not have a mind of its own. It can make no music unless a hand holds it, and guides it, carefully purring the right strings, at the right time, to the music written before the musician. The music is not random, but carefully chosen. When God pulls me in certain directions, I wonder why? How? This makes no sense! I can’t see what You’re doing God! Can’t you tell me? Change the music! Change the key, make it lower, higher! Make the pain go away! Make me beautiful and holy without suffering!

On and on my demands go….

No one chooses difficulty. But that is what makes us stronger, makes us understand God’s love, and know His presence in ways that would’ve been foggy before. Some of the notes will make no sense until the song of my life is finished, and the LORD lifts the bow. Finished, His way, His timing.
Then it all will make sense, every struggle. I will see the notes on the side of eternity and every heartache, tear, and unanswered question will make sense. I will wish that I had surrendered sooner, given more, and complained less.
I want to rest in Him and allow Him to lead, allowing Him to conduct my life, one measure at a time.
Until the end of my piece, the end of my life.
When the bow is finally raised, may the applause be for JESUS, my KING.

“For My thoughts, are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

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photos taken by Anna. ❤

Thank you to my lovely editor C.A. M. ❤

He is Waiting, With Open Arms

20190711_080011 As I stood over the oven as my momma took the chicken out of the oven, as she had a thousand times before: something hit me. Below my sincere excitement to marry my childhood sweetheart was the realization that I was leaving. When I get married, I will not be with my family and though they will always love me, it won’t be the same anymore.
I was reminded that God is with me. He is here, right now. My Jesus, Abba Father is with me as I prepare for this next chapter. When I think waiting is too hard, Jesus is with me. When I don’t understand, Jesus is with me. When I move away Jesus will be with me as I start my new life and attempt to take the chicken out of my own oven. 🙂 My Jesus will be with my mom as she pours her afternoon cup of coffee alone and prays for me. It’s a sad knowing that as an adult I cannot have all those I cherish near at the same time. I will probably always miss someone. Some days I miss my grandpa in ways I haven’t before. I wish he was here to share in these special moments of anticipation. But I am thankful for all the memories I had with him. Now these memories have become treasures I cherish.

It is such a comfort and a joy to know that my Jesus is always present. He is there in the quiet when no one sees, when no one hears. He is there in the moments of sheer joy and laughter. He is there amid our noisy, chaotic lives. He is there, with arms open. He is there when I am nervous and the lies creep in and the doubts dare to sabotage the Truth. Jesus is my protector as He covers me with His shield of Truth and reminds me of the promises of His Word. He is there. Waiting to be our refuge. Waiting and wanting to be our everything.

Recently, I have read Psalm 91. It’s assuring to know of God’s sovereignty and personal protection. When I am too weak spiritually and physically, I must allow God’s Word to wash over me. When the lies come and sin entices me I want to saturate myself in His promises and cling to His Word.
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” Psalm 91:1-4 (2104) (HCSB)
Jesus is waiting and wants you to run to Him so that He can cover you. Is He your refuge tonight? Only He can truly satisfy.

Dear friend, I don’t know who you yearn for tonight. Maybe you ache for a child who has left home, or for your marriage to be healed, or for a loved one who has died. Jesus is here. Jesus is waiting for you to run to Him. Jump into His loving arms. He is here. He is waiting. ❤

Anna. ❤

Holman Christian Standard Bible; The Study Bible for Women [Book]. – Nashville : Holman Bible Publishers , 2104.

Even So, It Is Well With My Soul

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When you’ve been hurt deeply and when you stand in the shadows of grief how do you move forward? When the voices of the past call to haunt and the perfectly packaged lies beckon you to choose a life of ease rather than purposed pain and joy in Christ, how do you walk forward? How? Somedays the pain is so great getting out of bed is a chore as you force your led feet to slip over onto the carpet and face the day. When the wounds of the past dare to rip you to shreds and the lies continue to circle in your head it is then that a choice must be made. A choice must be made to remember the truth. Not the truth of the pain, but the truth of Jesus who is unchanging. A resolve must be made to walk forward with arms raised, confident of His strength. Confident that when I wait on the LORD that He will renew my strength and that with Him I can run and not grow weary. Because of Jesus I can walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31. During seasons of brokenness I must rest in the hope of Jesus. I must choose to saturate myself in the truth.
When I think no one loves me I remember His love was great enough to go to the cross. Romans 5:8
When I feel lonely, I remember He will never leave me or forsake me. Heb. 13:5
When I feel that my sin is unforgiveable, I remember that I am saved by His grace alone and that if I confess my sins that He will forgive! Eph. 2:8-10. 1 John 1:9
When God’s love seems distant I remember that nothing can separate me from His love. Romans 8:37-39.
When I feel overlooked, I remember that God chose to be mindful of me. Psalm 8:3-4
When I am hurt, I remember that Jesus is the healer and the restorer of the broken. Isaiah 54:11-12
When I cannot sleep, I can run to Jesus who never sleeps. He is always there. Psalm 121:4
When I am surrounded by chaotic circumstances, I can rest in the fact that He is never changing. Heb. 13:8.

Even though it hurts hard enough to bring you to tears, “even so, it is well with my soul.” Because I know who holds me. I know who holds the past, present and future in the palm of His hand. God is the author of time. He will bring healing, but it is in His time. So, during this season when your heart stands guard at the graveyard, dare to dig deeper into God’s Word, deeper into God’s character. See His loving hand woven into every conversation, every drop of dew, and every sunrise. It is through my deepest valleys of suffering and pain where intimacy with my Savior blossoms. Through the valley of the shadow of death I can experience a deeper closeness with Jesus.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; You rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Much Love as you draw closer to Him.

Love,

Anna ❤

“It is Well” was written by Horatio G. Spafford.