I Know

The Springs has become such an important part of my life. It is a time set apart to focus on the Lord. A time of refreshing. Times of quiet and solitude. Time to "listen." Time to reflect. Time to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Even time to take a nap!

Looking back, I can see how the Lord has used my times at the Springs to give me a deeper understanding of His character. I remember the day I went for a walk (after waking from a wonderful nap!), and I was so aware of the beauty of the flowers and the mountains, the joy of hearing the birds singing. At the same time, there were situations going through my mind that were grieving my heart. As I stopped and looked closely at a flower, or looked up at the spectacular mountains, I sensed the Lord's presence in such a special way, and became so aware of His sovereignty. I sensed in my heart that He was saying over and over "I know...." He knows where I'm at. He knew I would be admiring these flowers on this day. He knows the situations that are burdening my heart. In quiet communion with Him, as each thought came through my mind, I sensed Him saying "I know." What a comfort that brought. What a peace that passes understanding!

I finished my walk, got my Bible and journal, and spent the next few hours looking up all the Scriptures that describe what God knows. Powerful. And life-changing. My all-powerful and loving Father God knows every detail of my life, and is with me and working in every situation!

That experience embodies to me the heart and purpose of the Springs. A time set apart, to be refreshed, to receive from Him, to worship, to "soak" in His Word. I know I left there changed, encouraged and strengthened.

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How do you keep hanging on?

Betsy writes (as she finishes chemo and looks forward to a month of radiation treatment): I can see a large hill between me and the end of 2008. My great hope is a promise God made me that " I will finish well." I am hoping that what He meant by this is that we will discover in January that the cancer is licked and that the path to healing and restoration will be unhindered. Is my hope mis-guided? I hope not. One thing I know for certain: He is faithful and keeps all His promises, even when we don't understand it all, and even when we don't get it all right. He does! He is good all the time and His unfailing love lasts forever! This truth about the nature of God has become a cornerstone for my faith. Even when everything around us is unsteady, God does not change. If He is completely good and loves us with unfailing love, then that means that He is willing and able to meet us in the smallest and the biggest needs we have. So the journey of faith continues... and I have to say, I'm glad it does!

How do we hang on through tremendously difficult circumstances? We put our trust in the truth found in Scripture about the character and the nature of God.

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