Do you need refreshment?? Are you TIRED?

I am unwinding today from the AMAZING Hope at Home conference. There were about 70 people at the conference…and I have to tell you–I LOVED this part because it was truly a time of RESTORATION and CONNECTION. Believe it or not–I can be a recluse some times…I think it has something to do with having 4 kids constantly on top of me and needing REST.

I wanted to share something from the time at Hope at Home with you all that really ministered to my SOUL…like to the DEPTH of my soul…and if you are reading this far–maybe it is for you too.

Michelle Haswell led a session on REST and the LORD RESTORING. Her husband and pastor of Northlands church felt led to share a bit after her talk–and this couple truly spoke from the Lord. Are YOU there right now?? You know God called you to THIS–but gosh…the “THIS” often leaves you feeling really tired. You feel you once had margin, peace, joy, easier days…but some of those things you have (as Michelle put it) “hung them back in your closet. For a season–during a transition of a new one home, a change in your family or just the changing stages of your children–you have had to hang up something your heart once held as precious. And doing without some of these things for too long–has left you tired.

The Lord loves you TOO much to leave you in that place.

Earlier that day I was praying about what God wanted to give the ladies at the next two Created for Care retreats. I thought about HIS FAITHFULNESS…even His faithfulness THROUGH the tired. A song came on that morning as I sat in the prayer room by myself–I knew the Lord wanted to remind me of this…and He wants to remind moms of this as they come in January and March…and RIGHT NOW.

Turn the music off up top. And listen to this:

MY GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL.

Praise Him!!!

He is good!

Always!!!

Do you want to know HOW He has been faithful to me???

Can I tell you???

All the things I prayed for…He has answered these…

My godly, amazing husband Rich. I prayed for a man who would love me as Christ loves the church. Thank you Father for him. I was full of fear I would never be a mom…my heart LONGED for this. Parker. Laney. Frank. Isaac….and our little girl coming. THANK YOU. I longed for a third child…I hated the months of trying and waiting…but Lord–you taught me what GIFTS Parker and Laney were in this…how all my children were miracles!!! You taught me in the hard months how PRECIOUS my children are!!! I THOUGHT I knew…but you really showed me!!! YOU are Faithful!!! Never once did I ever walk alone…I see that now Father!!! Through the journey of following you I have been tired many times. THIS is one of them. But you carry me. I lift my hands. You are FAITHFUL. Every step…you showed us the way. In our adoption wait–I thought my heart might burst. Would you really bring us a son??? We were SO SURE you had called us. Some times the waiting led to doubts…to fears. And then–we saw Isaac’s picture. You are faithful. I worried would he walk–would he do this or that? Yes, I know You tell me not to worry…I see Lord–I get it. YOU. ARE. FAITHFUL. You love me. I can trust You!!! My son walks. He laughs. There were months I wondered if he would love me back…HE DOES. You are faithful. I love the hard things. I love the beautiful things you have given our family through them. Some times I doubt the new adoption journey–CAN I REALLY PARENT ANOTHER CHILD? It’s not too late to run;). BUT I know YOUR voice. You are faithful. And we will not be walking alone. The world might look in and shake their heads…they might not approve…but we seek YOU Jesus. We want Your approval. We want to trust the ONE who is FAITHFUL to us…yesterday, today and always. Thank you LORD for your FAITHFULNESS!

Sooo…as you listened to that song…what came to your mind? How has HE been faithful to you???

I have to tell you something pretty cool. Sitting in Michelle’s talk about REST and RESTORATION…I remembered that ONLY HE brings rest and restoration. Only HE rebuilds. And WHAT He rebuilds is even more beautiful than what you gave up to follow Him. And in time–He brings BACK many of the things you had to “hang up” for a time. Peace…joy…strength…whatever they are–He is faithful to bring those things back again.

After the talk, Greg and Michelle played that VERY song…for us to listen to. The VERY song I felt the Lord showed me just hours earlier and as I listened I felt the Lord say “THIS is what I want you to know and remember!” HIS FAITHFULNESS.

And the tears began to fall. As I remembered HIS FAITHFULNESS–I wept. And REST filled my soul. As I thought about His faithfulness…my mind and heart felt strengthened and even restored.

I was reminded this weekend–my children will always, always, always have countless needs and requests…but the thing I need (and what they also need) MOST is for me to put BOTH of my arms wrapped around my Father in Heaven and fall in love with Him all over again…and again…and again.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He grestores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
Even though I kwalk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

How wonderful it IS to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness!!! I feel ready and excited to start my week…and so, so thankful I have a personal relationship with a FAITHFUL God in Heaven!!! How amazing it is to be the daughter of the King!!!

XOXO,

Andrea