I was sitting outside one night watching the sunset when the sky seemed to run through nearly every color of the rainbow. It was when it turned yellow that I thought to myself, “Wow, Papa. The sky is mellow yellow.” That was the night I noticed a difference in me. A transformation was taking place and I was becoming more and more mellow and at peace again.
The reason I knew I needed to take a break was because I was focusing far more on my imperfections and not nearly enough on God’s miraculous perfections.
Terry and I had to make a painful decision and it took me a long time to have a peace about it. My January “break”from writing was a period of reflection to take back my peace. Yes, the very peace I allowed the enemy to creep in and break apart and try to steal. Terry and I were forced into a decision we did not want to make because some other people did not do the right thing. We very much believed this matter would turn out much differently, much sooner. It did not.
This made me grow angry and bitter at other people not doing the right thing.
But God.
As I poured my heart out to Him and sought Him during this time of reflection, His faithfulness was so evident to me.
One of the things I prayed about as I took this break was, “I need some rest, God. I am going to sleep in, and really get caught up on rest.” God had other ideas for me, though.
I began waking up even earlier than I did before my break. “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” - Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)
This is much like the phrase, “Want to know how to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans.” I told God I was going to rest. Who am I to tell God anything? I know better than this, and I’m glad God laughed at me and said, “No, no, little one. You’re going to get up and spend more time with Me.”
It was in those early morning hours each and every day I dug deeper into His Word, spent more time in prayer and more time in quiet reflection. It was in those early morning hours I kicked the enemy out of my thoughts and took back my peace. It was in those early morning hours I could be reminded by His Holy Spirit, “Trust Me.”
Sometimes we need to take a break. Take a step back and have a breather. A time to shift our focus from our problems to our Problem Solver.
The evening it was mellow yellow, Terry and I later sat outside until late that night, in the still, calm quiet and just held hands and talked. We started dreaming again about the many possibilities God has in store for us. As I rested my head on his shoulder, I thanked God for the trials and problems we have endured the past couple of years because they only reminded me of His goodness and His faithfulness.
Even when our circumstances are not good, God always is. His purpose will prevail.
During these painful walks in life, God is transforming us. He is drawing us closer to Him so we can have our thoughts focused on Him, rather than our problems.
Papa’s beautiful mercies are new every single day.
He is making all things new.