psalm 7

psalm 7

when life seemed unredeemable

not merely broken, shattered

when the pieces could not fit back together

no glue or tape could mend

when You looked upon our depravation

You chose the only tools of restoration

when You boldly took the nails that saved us all

and blood flowed free

and grace flowed free

at Your cross I fall 

claimed and surrendered

where love flows free eternally

love upturned

I felt a strange pull to listen to an old Suzanne Vega song, perhaps that which she was most known for.  In the lyrics to Luka she sings:

They only hit until you cry
After that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore

I was stopped, breathless
understanding the words 
in my own aching heart
in a way I never have before

why now?

I only pondered for a moment
before a deep knowing settled
for I can now add my name 
to the long list
of those who feel the sting
of the type of emotional abuse,
that leaves you shattered
tear-soaked, fragile
and uncertain if you are 
who you always thought you were

I made the temporary bed
in our place of refuge
this morning
without paying much attention
to the order of the throw pillows
not noticing I had allowed love
to be turned upside down

I have been blind
but my eyes are opening
what was taken, ripped away
is being restored
I was created, by His hand
the Master Designer
in His image
to love, as He loves

what the enemy has twisted
turned on edge
and used to harm me
is being restored
I have been claimed
reclaimed
and set free

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
 I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT



 

Who restores?

The taskbar at the bottom of my laptop screen

flashed, a reminder that updates were waiting

ever obedient, I clicked to download

and busied myself with other things

after the install, I had to reset the computer

and as often happens, things were not quite right

when the screen came back up

nothing I tried corrected the problems

it was time to resort to system restore

taking the computer back

to a time before the offending updates

while this ran, I opened my journal

sensing my Lord has something to share

your technology

has the capacity

to return to an earlier

moment in time

to take changes

errors, problems

and make them disappear

as if they had never happened

and I, yes I, do this

not for machines

but for lives

I Am the Restorer

I Am making all things new

I wipe slates clean

I have already forgotten

what you still cling to

you can let it all go

step into the reset

fresh and clean

walking with Emily in broken redemption

 

Chasing Silhouettes by Emily Wierenga - a review

I believe there are reasons
why God allows us to move in darkness
seasons we feel lost and alone
we're not sure we can find Him
but He always knows where we are.

When in His strength (knowing or unknowing)
we have pressed on and walked through
to clear air on the other side of trouble
we become His shining lights
scattering the darkness for others.

Emily Wierenga has taken such a walk
and now stands as a wide, brilliant beacon
illuminating a path toward wholeness
healing and the loving arms of God.

In Chasing Silhouettes Emily shares her own story and the stories of others; both those with eating disorders and the families and friends who have watched, worried, wept, prayed and been torn as well.


Your heart will hurt as you read these pages, but it will also soar with hope in a God of restoration.

Please read this book.  Please give copies to others.  And visit Emily at her blog where you can leave her some words of encouragement and thanks.