Five Minute Friday [7] - I Know/You Are Mine

I know that you're clay, My dear

And that you have these many fears

But I am the mighty Potter and your Maker

I will never be your bruiser or your breaker

Take my hand and your heart and soul will be full

I know you don't understand My thoughts or My will

But I have never left you alone before

And I never will, you can be sure

I know that trust is precious, but all of yours is safe with Me

Your thoughts are anxious but it's only because you can't see

I'm building a home for you to live in, I promise you

One day your tears will dry and your pain will be through

I long for you to abide here with Me for time unending

I long to show you everything, from end to beginning

How My heart suffered and broke and wept for you

And how there is love in every single thing I do

So put your faith in me always, My child

I know that it seems it could be a long while

But I am greater than the world and this barrier of time

And your place with me is secure, for you are Mine

-t.h.

written: 20/12/19

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Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' / Isaiah 45:9, NKJV

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; and we are the work of Your hand. / Isaiah 64:8, NKJV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD,the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary, His understanding is unsearchable. / Isaiah 40:28

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. / Isaiah 42:3, NKJV

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A/N: Many a Christian reaches the point where they are just downright baffled at what God is doing in their lives. When it just doesn't feel like their spiritual battles are victorious or truimphant- when they start to wonder where God is in the midst of things- when they're confused about why the Lord is allowing certain things to happen- when they feel they are but a bruised reed, faltering and feeble. It's a hard, hard place to be. 

But there's only one way to hold on, and that is to trust in Him and His goodness. He is the same as He was yesterday, He is the same always. He is capable, He is mighty, He is worthy. And when darkness is threatening to suffocate, He is the light, He is the hand reaching down to pull you out of it, He is the only refuge.

Even when we can't understand and when we feel lost, He is with us then. He is molding us still. He is the only One to whom we can turn to.

Five Minute Friday [6] - Waiting on the Dawn

It's late at night or as the sun dips low in the sky

That my mind drifts to what has already gone by

The streets of this small town

I keep them beneath my ribs, in my heart

Every person I've ever let down

And those I've stuck with, from the very start

I'm someone who holds on for long

I don't ever walk away from anything easily

I cry long after the person I miss is gone

And I don't forget a face, not anybody

These tall and proud mountains that closely surround all of us

They echo lost sounds, glass dreams, and live, golden memories

I know they say the past is past, and to live in it is to distress

But every now and then I feel the past pick up, then fly by like breeze

Call it nostalgia, call it grief, call it something akin to pining

I keep all the recollections safe, in a cushioned and velvet little box

I take them out with care, I take out those dark, I take out those shining

I relive them, both the hurtful and the good, call it a paradox

But I look ahead as well, moving forward is to me no stranger

It's only that it's nice to go back once in a short while

Sometimes I want to stay, sometimes I want to dwell there longer

But whatever is ahead, whether it's joy or heavy trial

I know I cannot pause time, I know I can't give up or slow down

So I keep up with the changes, these turns, this frightening depth

Still all the while keeping what is no more in my arms, holding on

And facing the giants, taking small steps, taking deep breaths

And

Waiting on the dawn

-t.h.
written: 05/12/19

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A/N: Okay, this one also took longer than five minutes. Maybe ten minutes in total, not including the tiny smidge of editing that had to go into it? Haha :)

May you have a blessed day, wherever you are and whatever memories or thoughts continuously run through your mind.

A Party From Out of This World

Last week Saturday, we threw a party for Reilly and Levi, two of my younger brothers. Reilly is currently ten and Levi is seven, but both of their birthdays are coming around this December and soon they'll be eleven and eight. So headquarters (the parents) decided to have their combined birthday party a month earlier, since there was more chance friends would be away on holiday come early to mid December. We set it all up in our house, and by the time everyone had arrived, the place was packed. But in a totally good way ;) The food was fabulous (my older sister is a talented chef, so there was no shortage of good food) and plentiful, there were kids everywhere and we had both a candyfloss and slushy machine running. I think it has already been implied (unless you don't like candyfloss or slushies- and in which case, I'd have to ask you, where is your inner child?), but I'll say it, it was fun.

I was the "photographer" (and by that I mean I took a few snapshots here and there in between chatting to people and eating brownies) and I got enough pictures to show y'all the basic theme and content of the party spread. The photos are bad quality, I know, and I apologize for it, but maybe you'll still be able to enjoy the whimsy of our alien/space/galactical get together through the digital representations I have for you here :)

Exhibit A, B, C and D are all of the super duper cool cake my sister (Perrin) thought up and constructed. The spaceship part of the cake came together smoothly and nicely, but we had had hopes of using fishing reel to tie the cow and stick it to the vase (the sucking up portal thingy. Please comment below if you know the actual term) to make it look as if the cow really was being levitated/lifted, but sadly that didn't work out. So, we settled for putting the cow on the board of butter icing lawn, where it stood as the unsuspecting and innocent character that would shortly be abducted by two little green creatures in a giant and sugary cake spaceship. Or, at least, that was how it was supposed to look, and I think it did the trick. Also, I can testify to the fact that the cake was entirely delicious and that despite being rather large, it was eaten up far too quickly for my liking. (I like leftovers, peeps)

A blurry shot of one of the lil birthday dudes, Levi, and the feast upon the table.

Reilly working the candyfloss machine while a queue of kids waiting for their cotton candy steadily grew. (again, who doesn't secretly, or better yet, openly still like this stuff, no matter how old they get?)

My personal favourite, due both to the way they tasted and because of the creativity that went into making them look amazing: galaxy brownie bites, topped with caramel panacotta/mousse stuff and sticky galaxy icing.

These were also a hit. My three sisters never run out energy to doodle, and you can see what I mean if you closely observe the different expressions and characters of the "alien faces" they drew with edible ink on these green alien brownies. People loved the diversity and humour of the illustrated faces.

And these perfectly in theme cookies were made by my lovely twelve-year-old sister, Mila. Not only did the rockets and stars go perfectly with the whole space/nebula feel, they were also very tasty. 

Mid party, we gathered everyone back to the dining room (it was nice and cozy, haha) to pray for and then sing for the boys. The two of them standing with my dad as he thanked everyone for coming and then prayed for them made for a very cute photo oppurtunity.

Reilly blew first...

...and Levi made a quick job of finishing up.

And then, at the end of the afternoon, there was a stunning rainbow falling in front of the mountainscape that could be seen from our front veranda. It was a lovely ending to the party and to me was a reminder of the might and intricate inventiveness of our God. He is the One from Whom all blessings flow, and to be able to gather together with friends and family and celebrate two of His precious children was indeed a blessing.

All in all, the party was an exciting occasion and the boys were thrilled by it. I didn't originally think to post about it here, but I had fun taking the pictures and reckoned there was no harm in sharing them with you guys. 

When was the last kid's party you were at, and did it have a theme? What was the best party you had as a kid? Let me know in a comment below. and have an astronomically great afternoon further. (Sorry. Puns are a weakness of mine)

Five Minute Friday [5] - Not Giving Up

Not giving up is difficult. And there are so many things I’d love to give up on at the moment, if I’m being perfectly honest. I’m weary of and irritated with myself. Every time I don’t get something right again, my heart feels a little heavier. I desire to see improvement and structured progress, but sometimes I just can’t seem to get rid of the short-term tunnel vision I have going on. My mind likes to think that getting through a day is enough for now at least, and I lose track of what I might need to still prepare in advance of the future. I fall behind.

However, I don’t have to focus on those things. I don’t have to try to find all I need in myself. If I thought that I did, things would be hopeless. If I relied on myself for strength and perseverance, giving up would be my default, not only a temptation. If it was just me, myself and I, there would be no will.

BUT. My hope lives. The Lord is fighting my battles, He is coming to my defence. He’s reminding me that I’m loved. He’s holding my arms up in praise towards Him when I am too broken or too tired to. He is MIGHTY. He’s carrying me in however many pieces I come in, and He’s making me whole again.

Not giving up is how I’ll live. Because my God is showing me how to.

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Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. / Isaiah 41:10, NKJV

Wednesday Words [7] - I Will Praise

Do you see, Lord?
In my weakness, in my fickleness
In my pain, my confusion
And in all of my brokenness
Can you see how the human in me
Is settling into stubbornness?
Can You reach me, please?
Cause this heart wants to sing Your praises
But all this doubt is crashing in
Can You please bring me back to my knees?
I know who I am and I know I’m Your child
I know the things You’ve done and how your might is endless
Remind me now in all of this darkness
You’re the same, yesterday, today, forever and always
Hold onto me because I don’t have the strength
Touch my soul again because my faith is trembling
Don’t let this heart grow cold
Don’t let it turn to stone
Pull me back towards You and Your fathomless grace
Thaw me with the warmth of Your glorious face
And I will stand here and I will praise
It’s a choice, it’s a decision, it’s an embrace
Let this be my stance and my song for all my days
I will fight this and I will fight it with praise

-t.h.

written: 20/11/19

Five Minute Friday [4] - Before It Begins

As bright as the night

Is the truth in the words that come from your lips

As black absorbs white

Is the good in your actions and in your heart

I don't know why I listen to you sometimes and yet I do
It's like a bad habit I've got to kick
But I struggle to see past the mirages you present as true

And through all the shadows you hide in

But I stand against what you stand for
And I won't let you stay where you're not welcome
I may have fallen for all your tricks before
But this time the finish line lands before its start begins

-t.h.
written: 15/11/19

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A/N: I think the devil's favourite move is to lie to us, something I've been realizing more and more lately. So when I sat down today to write my five minutes for this Friday, these words came to me. I've often struggled with the lies the enemies tries to throw at me and I've seen that my Christian family and friends do as well. He is the master of deceit, and the things he tries to tell us can sound so convincing...but we need to continue in steadfast reliance on the Lord, we need to be impermeable to the devil's lies trying to trickle in.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. / James 4:7, NKJV

I pray you have a day filled with truth and love ♥

Five Minute Friday [3] - What is Bravery?

I don't consider myelf to be a brave person, although I do admire brave people very much. But what is bravery, really? Some will say it is essentially the same as courage, but perhaps it can be described from a different angle, rather than just giving a synonym. The definition of bravery to me has been made up out of bits and pieces of different people's hearts I've seen be put out on the line by them for others' benefits or sakes and not for their own. I've seen bravery displayed through both bold and loving actions, all ones worth being mentioned- but mostly, I've seen bravery be shown in altruistic ways. You see, I feel...

...bravery is...someone who commits to being an example of love to others even when it costs them big time, or a person who doesn't give up on a relationship with someone they love even when continuing to love that other person is more than difficult.

Bravery is when someone forgives someone else who didn't deserve it. 

Bravery is fighting for the truth and not giving in to lies or to the temptation of lying simply because it would be easier.

Bravery is someone daring not to react the way anyone else would when confronted with the biggest and worst problem or situation they've faced while living on this earth. 

Bravery is holding onto hope when, in many other's opinions, hope has left the building.

Bravery is found in kindness, in picking up the pieces of a mess someone else made because you want to save them from it, in taking the fall for another, in standing strong and tall for what is right, in deciding to love fiercely.

Bravery is found in Jesus' name. Bravery was Him going to His death for those who hated Him.

And that is bravery to me.

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A/N: Okay, gotta be honest here. That one went a tad over five minutes, and I've posted it three days late, even though I had it written by Friday already. Oops. But it's funny- sometimes I'm glad for the five minute time limit because I struggle to line up my words right, and other times I catch onto something my mind wants to go further with and I just don't wanna stop writing. I guess this time was closer to one of those :) But before you run off, I have just one question I'd love to hear your answer to: What is one example of bravery that you have witnessed?

Now, of course, you're welcome to do as you please ;) Have a lovely weekend ♥

Five Minute Friday [2] - It Starts With Gratitude

Lately, I've been wondering. How often am I truly grateful for all that I have? When I'm told by someone that they love me, when I wake up in a healthy and functional body each morning, when there's a sunny and perfect day in a good week- do I praise the Lord for those things? Or do I take it all for granted? 

The truth is that there are many, many more people in much more difficult situations than there are people in good situations. There's so much hurt and pain in this world, there's darkness I haven't ever even experienced in a nightmare and there are people who are living through that darkness in real life. Why am I not more thankful? Why am I not more ready to help others where I can when I've been equipped to? Why don't I tell more people that there's a Saviour who loves them?

I pray and I hope for a radical change of heart. There's so much beauty and comfort in my life, but just a car ride away, there's the opposite and worse that others are going through. I pray that being someone who knows having enough, who knows love, who hasn't got half the scars others do- that God would make me willing to give all or any of that up for someone who cannot say the same, if He wills it.

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Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! / Psalm 105:1-3, NKJV

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. / Luke 12:48, NKJV

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A/N: What is something you're really grateful for today? What is the last selfless deed you can remember someone doing for you, or what is something you would want to do for someone else?

Wednesday Words [6] - Anchor

My heart may feel like it can’t take another wave of pain

But in these dark waters I remain tethered to you, my Anchor

And I will find each new breath in your mighty name

Even if these currents are strong, I know You are stronger

When I fear I’ll drown it'll end up being my fear that drowns

You'll reach out with Your strong hand and You'll save me

And when others do I know You won’t ever let me down

For your love is a lifesaver and it holds me steady

So I’m held safe and kept warm by Your embrace

No one can pull me from Your arms and no one can ruin Your perfect plans

And when the storm comes I’m focussing on Your face

Because my treasure will be where my heart is and my heart is in Your hands

-t.h.

written: 27/10/19

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A/N: He is our safe place. Let's set our sights on Him.

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. / Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will will be also. / Matthew 6:21, NKJV

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. / Hebrews 6:19, NKJV

Five Minute Friday [1] - You Are

I don't know what I'd do without you. You're that first cup of hot tea in the morning, you wake me up. You're that hug when I'm feeling cold and lonely, you comfort me. You're that random, unexpected compliment, you make me smile. You're that music, the kind that sings to my heart, you give my life a beat. You're that good book I can't put down, you are inspiring. You're that spring in my step after I've had a good day, you make me feel better. You're the colours splashed across the sky that my eyes never want to stray from, you are a rainbow. You're my favourite pair of shoes, you're always there for me. You are better than chocolate and you are even better than my bed. (Side note: my bed is really, really great) Do you even know how much you are to me?

You are the one wiping away the tears every time I cry,

and I cry easily.

Don't ever leave me alone.

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A/N: Hi all! Wow, no one hears a thing from me in the blogging world for over a year and now there's been three posts here at Fith out of Ten in under two weeks? Haha. May it be a good sign :)

Anyways, this post is the start of another series I want to do, where I sit down every Friday and get myself to just write for five timed minutes without over thinking it, then title it and post it. It's a wonderful way of making myself write even when I am lacking inspiration or have writer's block and it's another way of helping me swing into a routine of regular posting. I owe the idea of 'Five Minute Friday' to Lisa-Jo Baker, another writer/blogger who came up with it and suggested doing this once a week. Her blog is amazing, even for younger people who don't have kids (she focuses on motherhood/parenthood) so feel free to head on over there and check it out.

Have yourself a lovely day, and remember to tell those who mean the most to you how much you appreciate them ♥

Wednesday Words [5] - Words Never Said

I'm sorry for all the words I didn't say, they sit beneath my tongue day by day

a tumble of syllables never voiced, things that should have been said

isn't it strange how easy it is to look back, when it's never clear up ahead

I think it's sad how regret is only an afterthought, opening my mind to my mistakes

but my mouth is glued shut and time peels away from me like paint, flake by flake

I'm sorry, sorry for all the words I didn't say

I was wading through thoughts that were so deep and so thick

and I whisper those words when no one is around

but when I have the chance to speak my mouth turns to brick

I don't know when we last talked and I don't know when we will next

but you dance in the caverns of my conscience and I can't get you out of my head

and if I'm being honest, even when I feel that my mind is at its best

I fear oblivion of a needed realization, I fear the words will never ever be said

still I'm sorry, sorry for all the words I didn't say
and somehow with ease they always come when I put pen to page
but I guess that's me and has always been my way
I can write with my eyes closed but can't get my mouth to engage

but sometimes ink scrawls or typed out letters aren't enough

and if I was mute you might understand this and it would be okay
but you've heard me sing, seen me sob, made me laugh
and there's no excuse, for there are things one owes the other to say

so that's why I'm sorry for those words never said

I should have told you, I should have explained, I should have apologized

I wanted to tell you so many times that I still cared
but I let it fall through, I left you in the rain, and by not saying something I lied

now I stand here and if your walls are up, I'm not surprised
just please hear me from where I am, hear me give all I can:
I want to tell you that if there are things you surmised

the truth is that I am sorry, I truly and openly am

and I know now that we're no longer friends, no longer allies

you may not want to remember all that you can
but I hold the memories in my hand and I see them in your eyes

and I carry you with me 'cause you're part of who I am

so for those unsaid words

and for all those hurts

hear me

I'm sorry.

-t.h.

written: 22/09/2018

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A/N: This is something I wrote awhile ago, as you can see by the date. But I picked it out from my blog archives and dusted it off to share with you, because even though the state of my mind and my writing style has changed even in just the breadth of one year, this piece of writing still consists of feelings I felt at certain points in time. My plan is to continue (as consistently as I can manage) with the Monday Musings and Wednesday Words series here on my blog as part of my weekly routine- so let's see how that goes, shall we? 

By the way, constructive criticism and/or feedback is very appreciated :) I hope you have a blessed day and that more often than not, you manage to say the things that need being said.

Thoughts Inspired By Malachi

Hi, everyone. So. This is basically the first post towards a blog revival- because this blog has been inactive for a shamefully long time, I know. But, Lord willing, I hope that the season I am in currently will allow me to at least get it up and running again. I’ve felt Him gently pushing me to start writing again, and although I’m not entirely sure why yet (all I can think is that since He put the love of writing in me at a very young age, perhaps I shouldn’t let it plateau), I will write if He tells me to write. After all, I’ve missed the blogging world and my blogger friends rather a lot. Now it’s just to settle in once more, find a weekly routine, and slip back into the groove I’ve been out of for too long. I’m looking forward to it.

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The Bible says that you will find God if you seek Him, and if you seek Him with your whole heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) It’s one of my favourite verses from the Word of God, but to agree with it and then to actually apply it are two different things. Maybe that sounds obvious- and yet, I think those of us who know it or have maybe heard it regularly often find ourselves simply nodding along, but not making more time to spend time doing just that: seeking the King of kings. I’ve been strongly convicted of this very thing in my own life this past month and a half, so much so that I asked Jesus to forgive me for my on and off neglection of seeking Him during this year. And dear reader, what a sweet thing it is to be told I’m forgiven and called back into His arms. After all, drawing near to Him leads to Him drawing near to you, and nothing could be better. (James 4:8)

So, I’m seeking Him, I’m praying, I’m pleading, I’m spending time at His feet. I’m being refreshed by Him and at the same time I am asking him questions, some that I could never bring before anyone else, some about the future and where He wants me to be in days to come, some about how I can serve Him better. I want my heart to be in His hands, responding readily to anything He wants to do. I’m asking Him to show me what He wants me to be busy with, to give me the diligence to do whatever He has for me to do, to guide me. Because, you see, there could never be a more reliable or trustworthy Guide. (Psalm 48:14)

In consequence, as I’ve been falling back into the fulfilling routine of truly searching His wisdom out, I’ve recently been in the book of Malachi for the first time in a while, and I feel as if I really absorbed it more properly this time. How wonderful it is that God can reveal new things again and again from the same book or passage in the Bible! But anyways- I want to speak about a part near the end of Malachi, the last few verses of chapter three. The words really struck me as full of magnitude and strength, and I’ve had it on my heart to share them here on my blog and to write about them.

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On that day that I make them my jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. / Malachi 3:16-18, NKJV

When it speaks of those who feared the Lord and meditate on His name, I feel it’s a reference to born-again believers- and since I am one, I was uplifted by these verses. There were a few pointers that stood out to me that I’d love to share with you. Although, honestly, there’s probably so much more wisdom to glean from even such a small passage than what I felt I learned from it, but that’s the beauty of reading the living and powerful Word of God.

But without waiting any longer, if you are also seeking the Lord wholeheartedly, or even if you aren’t fully committed to doing that but are curious to know if it would be worthwhile to, I hope you will find some encouragement here in what the Lord says to His children.

Malachi 3 tells us…

1. He listens to us. 

“The LORD listened and heard them.”

Has it ever felt like no one hears you? Has it ever felt like the Lord isn’t even listening to the cry of your heart? I know I have felt that way before. I still do, sometimes. But each time, the Lord proves me wrong. Even when I’m faithless, He remains faithful. (2 Timothy 2:13) Even if we doubt, as we so often tend to do, the truth is that God hears our every thought, knows our every need, feels our every pain and sees our every stumble. The verse that comes just before the one from Jeremiah about seeking the Lord promises that He listens to us- so we can be thoroughly assured that He does indeed hear us!

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / Jeremiah 29:12, NKJV

The challenge for us is to be consistent in praying to the Lord and calling upon Him. The more time we spend pursuing a relationship with the Lord, the closer to Him we’ll find ourselves.

2. We are remembered.

“A book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on HIS name.”

I believe that to feel acknowledged and loved are innate desires of ours. How joyful can we be, then, to be able to know that the One who reigns over everyone and everything, the Creator of the universe and our Heavenly Father, remembers us, knows us inside out, and yet still loves us? There is nothing else that can truly satisfy that hungriness for recognition or wholesome love that is within us. The fact that the Lord remembers us, we who are nothing but vapours (Psalm 62:9) without Him, can fill us with a sense of worth that is only found by putting our identities in who Jesus Christ is. (Colossians 3:3) When we love Him, revere Him and set our minds upon Him as a response to Him loving us with perfect love, He says that we are remembered by Him. 

In Isaiah, God promises Zion (Israel) that He won’t forget them. But since He has promised salvation to all who believe upon His Son, we can know that can include us as well.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. / Isaiah 49:15. NKJV

So, He has promised not to forget us. But even more substantially, through Jesus Christ, those who believe receive a promise of an eternal inheritance. What more than that could prove to us that He remembers us?

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. / Hebrews 9:15, NKJV

3. We are His and we are spared. 

“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts.” 

“On that day that I make them My jewels.” 

“And I will spare them.”

Treasured is the word that comes to my mind when I read God calling those who fear and love Him, “Mine” and “My jewels”. Again, I’d like to remind you that His thoughts towards us can’t be numbered. He is faithful to love us with an unwavering love; He is faithful to call us His own.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! / 1 John 3:1, NKJV

And then, Redeemed (one of my favourite words) is the word that I feel fits when I read about Him sparing us- because we are spared from a treacherous destination and spared from the end result of sin, we are made clean and we are forgiven. It is such a marvellous gift to be called His and to be called to Him.

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. / Hebrews 7:25, NKJV

I don’t know about you, but from where I’m standing, being treasured and redeemed instead of receiving what we actually deserved (condemnation, hell, and death) is wondrous in its enormity! Praise the Lord!

4. He has given us discernment.

“Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”

Ah, last but not least. We need our eyes to be open to what a gift having open eyes can be, if it can be put that way. When someone is born again, God sends the Holy Spirit to remind them of the things He has taught them, to help lead them in the way they should walk and to essentially build on their spiritual conscience.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. / John 14:26, NKJV

And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. / Acts 5:32, NKJV

When we seek His wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit, He helps us to distinguish between what is wrong and right, what is true or false and what or who honours Him and what or who doesn’t. We need to rely fully on Him for these insights, as we can’t trust ourselves to know the difference or want to know the difference without Him. The Holy Spirit convicts us when we are sinning and aids us in glorifying the Lord, and is therefore indispensable to a Christian. Thankfully, as we talked about earlier, God listens to us and we can ask daily for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. How wonderful is that! Not only are we heard, remembered, His jewels, and spared from ruin- we also have access to His wisdom!

In conclusion…

So, although this has been really long (I commend you for bearing with me if you’ve made it this far. It seemed too hard to try shorten it when I’ve been really mulling this over and had many thoughts on it, and also when this is the first emergence of mine back into the writing world in quite some time. I’ll find a writing rhythm again sometime in the future 😉 ) I really hope and pray that some of it could hearten or invigorate you, even if it’s in a small way. May the Lord’s presence be felt in your heart and may the rest of your day be richly blessed.