The Source...

It's been a hard day.  I told God I wasn't going to complain anymore.  So I'll just say it was a rough day.

After I got both Samuel and Gabriel down for a nap, I decided that I needed "Mommy Time".  I got my Papa's bible (the Papa that Samuel was named after), went to the back porch and had my LATE lunch (slim fast at 4:30pm).  

Most of the time I try to encourage myself.  Sometimes it is easier than others.  Today, I could not find any encouragement.  So I turned to the Source...the bible.  My Papa encouraged me many times over the years.  He always had a way of making the seemingly complicated situations very simple.  I've often wondered what he'd have to say to me about Samuel.  I know he would have pointed me to God.  I have a feeling that he would have used these scriptures to encourage me:  I simply opened Papa's bible to find Isaiah 40 & 41 highlighted here and there...

Isaiah 40:1

COMFORT YE, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Wow!  After crying with Samuel for about an hour straight, I need comfort.

Isaiah 40:3

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

I feel like I'm in the wilderness (back woods Alabama away from my Moma and spiritually).  I and my boys will prepare the way of the Lord.

Isaiah 40:4-5

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low:  and the CROOKED SHALL BE MADE STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH PLACES PLAIN; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together:  for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.  

This valley will be exalted.  Samuel's crooked toes will be made straight.  The rough days will be made smooth.  The glory of God will be seen in Samuel.  

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd:  he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

I want to be in His arms.  I need gentle guidance as a mother with young.

Isaiah 40:29

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

I need His power and strength.

Isaiah 40:30

BUT THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES; THEY SHALL RUN, AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK, AND NOT FAINT.

enough said.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

He is with me.  He is my strength.  He will help me. He will hold me up.

I'm so thankful that Papa was so faithful....all I needed was his old bible to find the encouragement that I so desperately needed today.  Thank you Papa.  I love you deeply and miss you terribly.