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“But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me;”
I Kings 10:7a (NIV)

When God recalculates

Deciding I MUST get some exercise, I began to walk down a dusty path on our fifty acres in Texas. In my mind, my destination was the bluff at the farthest west border of our property.

Instead of staying the course set in my mind just minutes before, I turned on a path taking me to a wheat field planted annually as part of a wildlife management plan — one I was forced to learn when my husband, Steve passed away suddenly in July 2016.

I had been in a very serious conversation with the Lord that morning on my way down that dusty path.

Being gut-honest with the Lord, I told Him, “You know that picture called ‘First Moments in Heaven’ with that girl who has thrown herself into Your arms? Well, I couldn’t do that Lord.”

Though I have dealt with insecurity all my life, even as a child, at times it can be paralyzing.

There is this belief within me that ‘I am just not enough.’

At that moment, I asked the Lord to please give me that same beautiful wild abandon in seeing Him that the painter captured in that beautiful work of art. “I am asking you, Lord, please help me see myself as You see me. Help me give my insecurities to You.”

Turning toward the wheat field, I heard the familiar sound. It is one I have listened for every single day for the last almost seven years – the sound of a cardinal close by.

God has comforted my heart many times with cardinals.

“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

My excitement turned to panic when I found the beautiful cardinal trapped in a cage placed under a feeder to keep raccoons away from the corn.

Just minutes before, this beautiful cardinal had made his way into that cage through an opening…but he had forgotten his way back to freedom.

The way of escape was just inches away.

In his panic, the cardinal flew into the bars of the cage trying desperately to escape.

My prayer became, “Lord, please save the cardinal.”

I walked to the cage. Flying to get away from me, he became a prisoner, trapped between the narrow bars. As I stood just inches from this bird, he became still. Beautiful yellow markings outlined eyes now intently watching me – his enemy. Slipping my fingers through the bars, I raised them until the cardinal rested on them. In his quiet surrender, he watched me, never moving until he felt the bars give way to freedom. His freedom coming only through an enemy who becomes a savior.

And there, as that beautiful cardinal flew away, I heard God speak.

Kathy, I am the truth that can set you free.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32 (NKJV)

I believe we can imprison ourselves in cages of our own making – with the way to freedom just inches away – a prayer away. Grief can do that.

Not only can grief paralyze us and cause us to forget the truths and promises of God, but strongholds such as insecurity, doubt, and fear can also keep us from remembering.

God’s promises – His truth

• Hope – The Only Begotten Son of God – Jesus
• Savior – His death on the cross for our sins
• Eternity – His Resurrection – THE TOMB IS EMPTY!
• His Return – Our Promise

And until then – He is Our Comforter

Has God brought you to a place of His leading for healing in your heart and life?

In I Kings 10, the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon. Hearing about Solomon’s fame, she wanted to see for herself this God Solomon had a relationship with and how He had blessed Solomon. When she saw Him in person, she believed.

Oh, how wonderful it is to be able to say…

“I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me;”
I Kings 10:7a (NIV)

You and I have seen with our own eyes, believed in our own hearts the God of all truths.

He is the God of our story, and not even half was told to us until we experienced it firsthand.

Oh, Heavenly Father, we thank you that the TOMB IS EMPTY! We pray to always remember that Your truth truly does set us free. Thank you, Father, for every personal and intimate message You send our way to comfort our hearts in You. Amen