Reflection of Providence

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3: 20-21 (NKJV) “Through all her years of feeling less-than, Elizabeth had worshipped a more-than God.” (P.35, Women of Christmas, Higgs) Oh, how do I convey this deep soul connection that I feel with Elizabeth – to scratch out the words on brokenness and healing? May our sweet Jesus use these meager words to bring hope, belief, and trust in the midst of our loss, hurt, and pain. Beautiful, broken, blessed, barren…Elizabeth! I think we all know the women that put on a good face. When asked how they are doing they always respond with, “I’m doing well!” They don’t show much of their skirts, and keep their pain close to the cuff. I am one of those women. I don’t know how to express those emotions that hurt me. Instead, I go inward and lock the door on my h...

* I like the spelling of Zacharias opposed to Zechariah. I will be using Zacharias when talking about Elizabeth’s husband in this post.* I often get swept up in tradition, duty, and service to God. Each of these is good, even noble. Yet, I scarcely expect God to show up, to do something that brings me to my knees; an encounter that shapes my thoughts on being faithful to God, to His faithfulness to me. I unequivocally believe that obedience to God is how we heed to His love in our lives. But obedience isn’t a duty. It is a lifestyle. It is, as my sister says, “breathing in Jesus and breathing out peace”. It leads to a holy ground encounter with God. It shifts our focus from what we can do for God, to worshipping God for who He is. This is what Zacharias learns when the presence of God shows up… I picture Zacharias and Elizabeth as grandparent figures to their community. Even though, at the time we first meet them they have no children of their own, I envision them being a fa...

“Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness.” – Genesis 1:31a (The Voice) The Testaments are a proclamation of God Almighty’s quest to love His people. The triune God desires intimacy with His creation. He not only sees us as worthy, but continually makes a way for us to be with Him. Despite the endless failings, sins, and shortcomings of His people He sees us as good. He loves us. The relationship God had with Adam and Eve was beautiful. Envision them walking and talking with the Lord. I often think of day to day life in Eden. He would walk with them in the cool of the day. A poignant time that, for me, denotes rest, friendship, and tranquility. The severance caused from forbidden fruit bitten didn’t simply affect Adam and Eve, but God. It clearly grieved His heart. If it didn’t, he would have simply walked away and left us with our own devices. Instead, what does He do? He takes His sweeping providential hand and devise...