When it rains...

I had the exquisite honor and privilege to attend a women's retreat this past weekend. And I don't know what else to say except that I will never be the same.

I've heard story after story where God shows up in people's lives and orchestrates baffling events and situations that changes all kinds of things in the life of that person and sets their feet firmly on a new course. Yes...over and over...in the lives of countless others. And don't get me wrong, the Creator of the universe has nestled me securely in the palm of His hand as well and when I think back on all the things He has spared me from; and all the mercy and grace he's showered over me, I am grateful and humbled. And because of it, I spend a lot of time trying to convince precious friends how much He loves them and has a specific plan for them, and that He has not skipped them when passing out blessings. But I've always failed to believe that truth for myself. I mean I have believed it with my head, but my heart wasn't sold.

It is now.

And I can't explain it except that He orchestrated some baffling and highly personal events just for me last weekend. And now I am convinced...and the words of this song are the only words sufficient enough to explain...and even these words don't seem to be enough...

Free to Be Beautiful

I lived in a world made of tears

Afraid and abandoned contained by my fears

I was hurting and broken alone and believing

The worst about who I could be

But then Your love captured my heart

And you rescued me out of the dark

And I finally see the truth about everything

You see in me

(Chorus)

And I'm free to be beautiful

To spread my wings and to soar on the wind

Free to laugh loud

Free to love strong

Free to fly higher since You came along

And I'm free to be beautiful

You've opened the cage I was keeping me in

And everything's changed because

You made me see that I'm beautifully free

Now you have opened my eyes

I can see all the promise and reach for the skies

Be strong and courageous and smile at tomorrow

And all that I'm destined to be

I know I can dream for the best

You promised I have nothing less

And I am sure that nothing's impossible

When I believe

(Chorus)

I won't give in, I won't back down

I won't surrender or turn back around

I'll fly higher and higher

And dare to believe I can make it because I believe

If you think you've been skipped over by God, try your best to believe that you haven't been. Try your best to believe the things He took the time to spell out carefully and strategically in His Word that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) He desperately wants you to know that He loves you...He has always loved you...He always will love you...He has never not loved you.

He may just be waiting for you to come to Him and empty your hands of whatever you are holding on to.

When it rains...it pours...