God is still God...

even when things make absolutely no sense.

Our world is constantly changing.

Wars rage on

Tornadoes destroy

Hurricanes and Tsunamis take captives

Promises are broken

Questions go unanswered

Cancers steal

Accidents break things

Bodies fail

Leaders fall

Evil rises

nothing really stays in one place.

I went to bed just as the murmurings of the news started

Bin Ladin has been found and killed.
I awoke to more of the same news
and to parades, parties and celebrations.


But I can't help but wonder what has really changed?
Vindication might feel good
but it might also start a host of new wars
One man did not make our world unsafe
 he did not act alone
People are still dead,
families still mourning their losses.
We are far from having world peace just because an evil man has been eliminated.

"And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. 
Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately."
Mark 13:7


God is still God
He knew we'd be tempted to trust ourselves to take matters into our own hands.
And He knew we'd never really eliminate the threat of war and uncertainty.
He knew that while some are out celebrating,
others would be home fighting other wars-
fighting cancer 
fighting poverty
fighting aftermath of raging storms


I'm thankful that God is still God
because I have my own questions
things I just don't understand
questions my children ask
that I cannot answer
but to say
God is God
and HE understands.


He sees what we don't
He plans ahead and walks us through the unknown
He only gives us one tiny peek at a time-
He knows we can't handle the whole picture at once.


Questions aside,
GOD is still GOD
and that is enough for me today.


I continue to add up His blessings,
even amidst the unknown.
He is still God
still faithful
still present
still lovely


His eye still stays on ME
{on YOU}
all the while it is staying on the events of the world


THAT
is amazing 


THAT
is why I know Peace


God is still God
and all is right 
even when it feels wrong 


God is still God 
when good people hurt
when life is unfair
when the next breath is too hard to take

He still IS...

"God is in the sadness and the laughter, in the bitter and the sweet. 

There is a Divine purpose behind everything — and therefore a Divine presence in everything."

Neale Donald Walsch

{Be still, and know that I am {still} God!
      I will be honored by every nation.
      I will be honored throughout the world.}

Psalm 46:10

Breathe deep...

Exhale...

If it was in my power to do so, I would have erased this day from the calendar altogether....or maybe just the first half of the day. This morning I was called upon to do something I would rather not do....EVER. But, beyond my control, it had to be done...so I did it. I'll not get into the details of the task...that's not really the point here. The point is this:

Life is made up of lots of things we don't sign up for. We get called upon to handle something we don't feel qualified in the flesh to handle, and we have a choice to make. Freeze in temporary paralysis...or breathe. One deep breath at a time. At first thought, paralysis looks more inviting....and I often try it on for size first. But, as with my situation this morning, some things are just NOT going to go away and must be faced head-on. Deep breath....exhale.

I had ordered my morning in such a way as to have a few moments of quiet before I went on my way. Thankfully. In the quiet of those few moments a thought came to me that the anxiety that was welling up inside me was not of the LORD but a trick of the enemy to get my eyes OFF the One who promised to walk beside me and ONTO him. Even allowing a little anxiety was giving a piece of ME over to him. "Be anxious for NOTHING..." The moment I gave back control, I felt peace wash over me. The circumstances had not miraculously changed....but I changed the direction of my focus and gave control back where it belonged.

I still hate everything about this morning...I'm not necessarily thrilled with the outcome of it, but I've learned a few things:

1. The enemy does NOT get to say how I will respond to unpleasant situations.

2. Though he thinks he can push me to his side, the enemy does not get to take my eyes off of the One who holds me.

3. Faith means we act in accordance with what we KNOW...not in what we see.

4. All I really need to know is that I'm being obedient in my actions and my attitudes...HE is able to take care of the rest.

5. Even when things turn out contrary to what I'd like, He is still LORD over ALL things, people and situations.

Victory in a situation doesn't necessarily mean that I've gotten what I wanted or that things have turned out according to my plans. Victory means I've stood my ground, looked the enemy in the eye and walked in full confidence that he is already defeated. Victory doesn't necessarily look like victory to human eyes...

Today victory looks like a task completed, an enemy defeated and a chapter closed...

I can't ask for more than that, so I breathe deep and exhale...