INSIGHT ARCHIVES
Insight Mary Hamrick |
God’s Provision I am continually amazed of God’s provision for us and the way that He moves ahead of us to prepare the way ~ even when we can’t see Him working, it is comforting to know that He never sleeps, He never forgets, He never gives up! The year 2009 was a hard year for me. Things seemed to hit all at the same time and from every angle. There were days when I didn’t want to get out of bed to face the day. Have you ever experienced that same overwhelming feeling, where you just wanted to sit down and cry, “It is enough”? With God’s strength and amazing grace, I look back on the troubles, trials and challenges of last year and can see God’s hand in every detail, every event, and every situation. I have labeled 2009 “My Romans 8:28 Year”. As I reflect back on all that God has done, I see how He indeed worked all of the details, situations and events together for our good. He used so many things that looked and felt ugly to bring out the beauty of building His character in us. When you find yourself in situations where you think “it is enough”, remember to call on the Lord for strength and endurance. Walk daily through the situations with the knowledge and faith that God will carry you through the storms of life and will bring you safely to the other side. And when you get to the other side, remember to look back in reflection of how God worked everything together so that your faith and character matured in Him. And most of all, remember to give Him thanks for the work that he has done and continues to do in your life and in the lives of those around you. Be blessed. January 2010
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In His Presence A friend recently told me about a song entitled, "In the Presence of Jehovah" sung by The Martins. As I listened ot this song, my mind went back to the first Dragonfly Ministries retreats that were held in 2003-2005 and the quiet time of those retreats. (The Lord called us into the retreat ministry so that we could provide a place for women to "come to Him" with a block of time devoted to Him of 4-5 hours). The Lord did a great work in preparing my heart for those retreats because by the time quiet time came, I was ready to sit with Him for 4-5 hours and pour out my heart, my life, my will to God. These were such sweet times alone with the Lord. He says, "Be still and know that I am God", and so I would sit still, calm my thoughts from worries and distractions and focus on Him. O course, it took me about half of the quiet time to calm my thoughts! But the moment I was able to focus my thoughts on spiritual things - reading scripture, praying, singing, giving thanks - then my spirit was vividly aware that I was not alone. Our first two retreats were times of great healing in my life - not because of the speakers, music, location, food or other women that were there, but because of the quiet time that I spent with my crator and FAther. He worked in my life to point me towards Him. The closer I draw to Him, the closer to Him I desire to be. I look back at pictures taken during those first years of retreats and my eyes were swollen from the tears I cried to the Lord - but my countenance glowed because I had time alone with the Lord. These days, I find that the Lord uses my quiet time at retreats to pray for the women in attendance; that they will receive the same healing and love from the Lord that will mend their brokenness and insecurities and make them whole. God is faithful. With each retreat, we see the power of God as He restores and reenews the hearts of His daughters during their quiet time. I look forward to seeing you at a Dragonfly Ministries retreat weekend soon. Together we will enjoy being "in the presendce of Jehovah where all troubles vanish and worries flee." Be still, allow God to speak to you and respond, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." 2 Samuel 3:9 March 2010
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