SOAR ME HIGHER

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I just want to thank the Lord for all He has done and is doing for me and in me. His plans are far greater than anything I could every even think or imagine. He has taken me places I never thought I would or could ever be. He has soared me high above on wings of eagles and has cause me to walk and not grow weary and run and not faint. On September 25, 2024, I was flying into Atlanta, GA for a women’s conference I was asked to speak at, in the middle of a Category 4 hurricane that was headed that way, God spoke to me. As I was looking out the plane window into the sea of white clouds not knowing where I was at or going, He so plainly said to me, “Trust me where I am taking you, even when you cannot see where you are going. I am leading you and taking you where I want you to go. I will not leave you nor forsake you but trust me as we go. I will soar you high above the clouds and lead you where I need you to be.” Thank you, Lord! I may not know where I am going or where He is leading me, but one thing I do know it will be big and it will be good. He protected us from the storm and showed me I am no longer on the wall or even in the boat, but I am walking on the water. Lord God, thank you! Help me to keep my eyes focused on you as we move forward in the direction you are taking me. I trust you Lord, I have the hem of the garment in my hand, and I am NOT letting go. Enlarge my territory and keep me from evil and let me do no harm. I love you Lord and I thank you for you are worthy of all my praise. I love you but Jesus loves you so much more.

My Reflection

9/9/24

I looked in the mirror and what did I see? 
In my reflection, I saw a lost and lonely girl full of chains, guilt and filth looking back at me.
She was a clutter mess, hair all tangled, face smeared with dirt as tears streamed down her eyes.
I saw voices all around her whispering their mean and vicious lies.
Shaming her, telling her she was no good and she was all alone;
constantly telling her all the things she has done as her accusers stood holding their stones. 
She held her head down with guilt and shame as the voices around her shout,
while Jesus knelt quietly in the dirt, writing something out.
He softly said to those without sin, may you toss the first rock.
One at a time they slowly walked away, letting the stones from their hands drop.
I saw myself standing there alone before the Lord,
tears streaming more than before.
He so graciously said, "My child, go and sin no more." 
He took my filth and washed me in His love and grace,
He wiped the tears from my eyes, brushed my hair and cleaned my dirty face.
He wiped away my sorrows, my sin and my shame.
He pulled me from the darkness and called me by my name.
There is no love greater than the Father,
I am so thankful He loved me so much and has now called me His daughter.
Thank you, Lord for not leaving me or turning your back on me.
Thank you for taking my hand, holding my heart and setting my spirit free!
Thank you, Lord for your unending mercy and grace and for changing my direction.
Oh Lord, from now to forever, may it be Your face I see when I look at my reflection.


The Valley by Amy G. Bearden

9/17/24

Standing deep within the valley with mountains on either side. Surrounded by the shadows of death, feeling there is nowhere to hide.

Alone and desolate with dry bones lying around, walking through the piles, with silence as the only sound.

Smoke still rising from the ashes as I cry out in despair, “Lord, do you hear me? Are you really even there? Am I so deep in this valley, so far down you won’t even go?” The hell, the torment, the tears, the pain, no one will truly ever know.

These thoughts that race through my head, the fears, the doubts, the dread….. I try to take them captive, but sometimes they won’t flee my head.

I lay them at your cross and renew my heart each morning, then I go and forget the promise that you have spoken. I lay there in tears wondering if you can heal this heart that is broken?

Then I hear the sound of a small, gentle breeze and in that sound, I hear, “My child I hear your desperate pleas.”

“I am not worthy, Lord”, I cry out to you, “please don’t come near!” And you so gracefully take my hand and say, “my child, do not fear.”

The bones they start to rattle and move as they come alive, you Lord, say, “It’s in your broken pieces and shattered heart that my spirit truly thrives.”

I created beauty from the ashes of your burned and blackened soul, I take your filth, your shame, your hurts and make you completely whole.”

It’s in the valley deep and dark that the Lord will show His face, it’s in my broken moments and when I fall, He gives me love and grace.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me and meeting me in my darkest night. Thank you for reaching out and giving me your light.

I will praise you in the valleys and will sing and shout with my raised hands, for it’s in your valleys I have to go to get to your promised land.

Through this valley I will walk, I will not give up, I will not stop. I will take your hand my Lord and let you lead me to the mountaintop.