Running at night lets me hear HIM more, suffering & sorrow can be the hidden hallelujahs.

This picture is blurry on purpose.  The tree is so beautiful when up close.  But from outside, the view is still beautiful, but unclear and distant.  Life can be that way.  Running in the dark at night, I am hearing God more clearly.  Sometimes the dark times are the times we hear Him the most.  Everything else fades...He is there, always there.

Her companions were named Suffering and Sorrow.  Her name was Much Afraid.  She lived in the Valley of Humiliation and she longed to go to the High Places where "perfect love casts out fear."

I'm talking about the little girl in the allegory, Hines Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.  I've mentioned this book several times over the years.  I haven't read it in a few years, but I have a friend who shares the love of this book.  She is re-reading it now and I decided to as well, to journey it again with her.

Our God is so good.  I can not say it enough.  I thought the timing was for my friend.  But God knew how much I needed it too.  You see, I am that little Much Afraid.  But I have read the entire book, and I know the end.  I too have traveled to the High Places with THE GOOD SHEPHERD.  I travelled, like many, with suffering and sorrow, and I did see that "sorrow lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning."

When Much Afraid travels through the rocky roads she has many places where she must lay down her will.  At these places she often suffers before she feels the comfort that it coming.  The Comforter always comes to His children, always.

My thoughts are brief tonight.  But as I was on my run, God ministered to me through a beautiful song that is at the end of this post.  He reminds me often of the how He has turned my ashes into beauty.  When I am weak again, His strength reigns in my heart.  Ultimately, little Much Afraid gets a new name, (spoiler alert) Acceptance with Joy, and her companions become Grace and Glory.  She soon reaches the High Places only to realize that she must follow the water fall that trickles back down the mountain to the valley, to share what she has learned.  To share that perfect loves does cast out fear.

I think we revisit suffering so that we can be reminded not only of our need for our Savior, but of His sufferings and His desire to Comfort us beyond our wildest dreams.  That is what we are to share, to encourage those in the rough patches.  Our family Christmas tree is the beginning of our marking the the celebration of what truly was Jesus suffering on earth, and the suffering of His physical earthly family.  It is a beautiful season because it also marks the beginning of our true Redeemer here on this earth, redeeming all of His children into Heavenly realms.

When we keep these thoughts in balance, our celebrations becomes joyful and soulful.  Let go of the expectations and pressures that you place on yourself to make the perfect Christmas season, and this will free your friends and family as well.  Let us get back to the simple gospel, and love well.  Love without fear.  Love in words, spoken or written, not in price tags.  Love like Jesus, unconditionally.  Look for the lonely, the lost and poor.  Whether in body, soul, or spirit.  Go there.

With. Grace. Love. Well. And. Simple

I've been nervous lately.  Shocker!  But, more of a flare, you know what I mean if you've read much of me.  Just all the unknowns, am I doing this job right?  What is the path ahead for our family?  How is my friend(s) doing?  What if I fail?   ( I do!) Those kinds of thoughts remind me of the Valley of Humiliation.  But you know what?  This side of Heaven, I will revisit those thoughts, though each time the Comfort is Sweeter, because God keeps calling me to His Word, to prayer, to honesty and vulnerability.  In that way, it is the Valley of Humility, not Humiliation.

Don't let the enemy confuse you with those two words.  Life in the Spirit is different.  We experience all the same things, but we grow in those valleys and each time we revisit them we get stronger in the Lord.  He takes us to the high places and fills us up and we are to take the sufferings and multiply the victories from them.  Disperse the good news, the KNOWING THAT WE ARE KNOWN AND LOVED BY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

I was too afraid to lead the devotions at work today.  I was ashamed that I asked a friend to do it for me.  But in walking that out, I realized that God has taught me discernment over the years.  I KNOW when HE is saying DO THIS!  I also know when He is saying, it's OK to be weak here.  Let a companion help you in this place.

Many of my friends are suffering great trials right now.  Many of you are not.  The point is not to compare or contrast, but to be aware that we are the BODY OF CHRIST.  Each of us plays a different role at a different time, all working together in harmony.

Don't let the enemy trick you into disharmony.  He is trying to divide and conquer.  OH NO HE WON'T!  Let the goodness of God seep into your weary soul.  Forgive and ask forgiveness. Pray and ask for prayer.  Encourage and be encouraged.  1 John 4:18  "...perfect love casts out fear."  Thank you for being here for me Lord Jesus.  Thank you for being here for me friends.  I pray to be here for you my friends, always.  I humbly walk along side.

Sojourners in this land.  Hand in hand.  

May this song minister to you the way it does to me.  Love, Julie

United Pursuit, Hidden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqa8O1ktxk8&index=4&list=PL9l8lHBvU8UCUFM_KiLTGNsE5quRTU6Xb

Use your suffering to multiply into joy in HIM.  Gather the lonely, come together...

Needtobreath, Multiplied

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGF-MGGLpB0