There have been waves of emotions over the last 72 hours. I have cried my eyes out, laughed to the point of tears, wondered around in this very quiet house, and experienced love from some really great friends. Our youngest is now on the adventure of her life. She is flying on her own wings in a country that feels like home to her. Her dreams are coming true. God is pouring out his blessing on the desires of her heart. This is a gift each parent hopes for their children.
These blessings do come with some sacrifices. However, the joy and peace far outweigh any challenges.
As I come to the close of my Sabbatical, I have been reflecting on the lessons God has given me; realizing now that God is asking me to live out these lessons. Over the next few weeks, I hope to put those lessons into succinct thoughts and words. This will take me a lifetime to live out and practice.
My Sabbatical has been and will continue to be one of God's greatest gifts to me. The stripping of position, people and roles in my life have proven to define me in vastly different ways than I had ever believed. God has crushed some of the old paradigms that I thought to be true. He has ripped open my lies and revealed His truth in such ways that I thought my heart would die. Instead what I found was the budding of real life, the fullness of God and I am sure what are just a few of His hopes and dreams for me.
I look forward to serving the church. However, I will not come back as I was. Humbly, I return by His power and purpose for my life. I come back as Papa's dearly beloved daughter, laying down all I have in order to receive from Him all I need. I am completely powerless and desperately dependent on God. Quite honestly, I believe this was God's destination for this Sabbatical or what I fondly refer to as my desert time; to help me come to grips that I am powerless. Equally God revealed that I can fully depend on Him and His faithfulness.
Friends, I pray that we will all fall into Papa's faithful arms of grace, love and mercy. May we, through the power of the Spirit be strengthened. May Christ be so at home within our hearts that love will be rooted and established in us; we will attempt to dive the depths, scale the heights, run the distance and fly the breadth of God's love. Oh to be filled with God's measure of fullness! Not our measure but His.
Living life loved,
Cathy
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