Downward

Is it to much to find the blessings that God has for us in each day? Is life so weighted down that our lense is foggy and we are not able to get a glimpse of His goodness? I have been working daily to have a focus which is downward. Downward? Well that sounds depressing does it not? Downward for me is a physical act of my head looking down into His Word and also bowing my head in prayer. My lenses become fuzzy with too much looking up and around. And we all are called to stay focused up and around. Goodness, downward looking while driving a car could be disastrous.

The Bible, God’s Word is filled with so many promises of hope that I must take a moment or several moments each day to look down into the Word of God. My focus becomes clear and my heart is less heavy.

This past week I was met with a moment that is what I call a mental fork in the road. One fork leads to a response of the flesh, and the other fork is a response of what Jesus would have me do. Funny that the act of my flesh requires very little thought. The act of doing what Jesus would have me to be is a two point downward act. Not just going to the Bible, but going to Him in prayer.

I excused myself from dinner around dessert time and went to have a good cry. Something I am not ashamed of. A good cry is always good for cleansing a lot of things. I then sat on my bed and said “okay God it’s just you and me”. I have been working my way through the Psalms this past month. This verse was perfect for this moment and I always believe God’s timing in a new passage is perfect timing, I mean we are talking about perfection when speaking of God, so I think the same with His timing.

Psalm 5:12
“You who blesses a righteous man, O Lord. You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

Dear Lord,
My heart wants to delight in You. As I watch campers enjoying this week my heart is so very blessed. I watch David enjoying himself, laughing, relaxing and truly in this moment of my hurt I do not want to rob or be robbed of the blessings you have for me, and for us as a couple. Thank you for the emotional strength you are giving me. Expose only the genuine joy you give me for the rest of our time here. Your word has given me this blessing of hope. Amen!!!

He blesses and He knows the intentions of my heart. Sitting and knowing the blessing and the promise in this one verse. Downward praying and reading and giving me the confidence of His promise, His favor, and His shield around my heart.

I was able to join our group. I walked outside and there between the clouds a rainbow. I thought of all the time and places a promise demonstrated in full color. I knew my husband would be worried and when he saw my face, even he was a little surprised. I was in full favor radiating God’s interventions once again into my heart, mind, and soul. Something very precious I would have missed had I not been physically facing downward.

Big or small God knows it all. He just wants us to come to Him, and there He has the blessings to give. And as the week finished up I truly could see His handiwork as I chose to seek a little more of Him and less of my flesh. It’s not easy, this we all know, but pretty much the actions of my flesh get me into all kinds of trouble so that delay in response, taking time to think, and then choosing that fork in the road that leads me to Him, the cross, and a bit more favor is something to smile over. Downward is really not so bad after all.