Chastening

Who God loves, He disciplines or chastens.

Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (KJV)

I remember telling me friend Greg, "My sister does such and such...(and gets away with it)" His reply was, "Your sister does not have the Calling you have on your life."

The wounds of a friend can be trusted.

Greg is a big brother (could be my dad) who's known me for many years. He's seen me walk through bad relationships with men that are not sold out to God. He realizes that they might have tried to present themselves that way, but they were not.

He's seen me through so many different circumstances, but didn't sit and judge me. Oh, he's said, "I told you so" in so many words, but I always felt accepted by him. My friend knew that eventually I would get to the other side of this.

So, now I've learned my lesson (finally) after a rocky marriage and rocky divorce.

I've learned that the Lord is always there.
I've learned that Jesus is faithful and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (New American Standard Bible)

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17

"The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18

Every time I turned to Him, He was still there. My heart was broken by men who said one thing and did another repeatedly. However, God was still there.

I learned to fall back into Light.

Now I'm not a victim anymore. I'm freed up by His Truth, and have come under the authority of my pastor and mentor. I am learning and growing day by day.

Every time I feel like running ahead or falling behind, God stops me. He brings me close to His heart, so I can hear Him. He comforts me, showing me it is okay to need the family, the Bride of Christ. God shows me it's okay to need Him too.

It's as simple as that, coming to Him like a child. Only one man has the key to my heart, and my Father holds it until He gives it to him. So I rest in His Presence knowing God is good and I don't have to fear the future.

I just have to trust that He knows and sees the full extent of the deception I went through with men. The spiritual garbage, and the lies, and the learning to forgive.

Now, I feel healed literally of past relationships. I feel so wrapped up in God's love as I face the future.

Is it hard being a single mom? Yes. However, it was harder being out of God's will and unequally yoked with a man who doesn't seem to know God.

My little daughter is a blessing. She makes me laugh at the most unexpected moments. She keeps me going (literally), wears me out sometimes...

And I remember, to not despise discipline and chastening. He's preparing me for the road ahead. I can Trust Him.

CONFESS

And I confess my need for You

And I confess my love for You.

I will bring You all the love

In my broken heart.


And I confess my shattered ways.

And I confess my scattered days.

And there is nothing I can do

But come to You.
Destiny Raines
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LAY IT DOWN

I (you) thought maybe if I (you) walked far enough,

Maybe if I (you) stood tall enough,

Maybe if I (you) worked hard enough

It would go away -

The pain of yesterday.


Maybe if I (you) just closed my (your) eyes.

Maybe if I (you) compromised.

Maybe if I (you) had fun enough

It would go away - the pain of yesterday.

(Can you say)
Take me in Your arms and hold me.

Take me in Your hands and mold me.

God, I'll try to lay it down again,

The pain (shame) of yesterday.

Destiny Raines 2008