Reading through my Lent journal and being AMAZED at how much has changed since that first day. How God has been transforming my heart and my desires from day to day since February 22nd, when I thought life as I knew it was over, brought me to tears of thankfulness. Seeing the faithfulness of our Lord as I learn to be obedient and patiently wait upon Him through the worst times and through the best times. Having the Word feel so close to my heart, clinging to His promises, repenting of lifelong sins, learning to SURRENDER, seeing His provision through strengthened relationships with sisters, experiencing the genuine relationship I had desired for so long with my God, seeing so much more of His character and falling in love with the Lord simply for who He is. Realizing that I have gained EVERYTHING through Christ. I would not trade it for anything.
These are just an accumulation and highlight of some of the thoughts and experiences from the past few weeks. In a sense, I amsadthat this season in my life is coming to a close but I have never been as excited as now just anticipating how God will continue to make me more and more like His Son. Being brought to a place where a heart is willing and desiring to be used by Him in any way is something to be thankful for. More detailed blog post to come after Easter :)
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”
Bible study on the Essence of sin. Had small group write their burdens, their sins, their worries and leave them on the Cross. The blood of Christ purifies us from all sin!
Writing in my lent journal, being able to look back each day and see God working through my joys and frustrations
The fact that God’s Word, prayer, and the assurance of God’s grace are the only things that get me through the day
Sharing coffee, laughs, tears and prayers with loving sisters
Morning prayers
Wifey calling me in the morning to pray before we start the day <3
Sharing and prepping Bible study with Kelly
Being able to laugh hysterically again
Words of wisdom and love from Mum
SMP prayer partners
Catching up with old friends and seeing God slowly softening hearts
Walking around the quad, admiring the weather, just talking to me best friend
The harder days where I realize that I am just a silly, little girl who is nowhere as strong as she thinks she is but that His power is made perfect in her weakness
O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray; and to concentrate my thoughts on you; I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness, but with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me.
Restore me to liberty, and enable me to live now that I may answer before you and before men.
Lord, whatever this day may bring, your name be praised.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory
Delicious Portobello mushroom sandwich waiting for me after class
Erica driving three hours to visit me for one night
Ms. Kim praying for us at SMP training
Doing 130 push ups together
Pastor Peter’s message on Jacob. Realizing how I have been fighting my whole life, manipulating and scheming for my own gain and now I’m being broken for His glory. Need to cling, cling, cling to Jesus!
Dinner date with unexpected friends
God revealing His heart through the support and prayers of so many wonderful sisters and brothers in Christ
Taewoo driving me to my exam and surprising me with a green tea latte because he knew I only slept an hour the night before. Miracles happen!
Dinner and prayer time with Taniya. Laughing about how our hearts and our struggles are so similar and being able to encourage each other through it.
Bible study prep time with the pairing. So thankful for them.
Psalm 34 and Psalm 51
My lent commitment. NO MO..GO
Mommy calling me to tell me that she misses her daughter
Running, running, running while praying
Brokenness that leads to a desire for constant prayer and time in the Word
Crying to Him in the difficult times,seeing my heart and how I need to repent
“The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time”
—
Psalm 34:17-19
Holding onto true promises and learning how to store them in my heart. Though I might feel like I am literally drowning in the waves and there is no bridge, no lifeboat, nothing within sight or grasp that could possibly save me, I know that when I look back I’ll see that there was so more He wanted to give me. That there is so much hope even in the fighting, the waiting, the crying and the praying. God’s timing is crazy good. Starting this Lenten season, saying yes to Jesus and no to those sins that have chained my heart for so long. 40 days!
