Good morning, DearHeart.

It has happened before; I have been redirected.

Many times, actually.

I’ve been going a certain direction, with momentum, minding my own business, glad to be on the “right track” when a left hook comes out of nowhere and suddenly, I find myself, through blurry focus, trying to find the ropes to help me up off the mat.

Life is always changing.

Always trading the old for the new. I was talking with a friend a few days ago and her story reminded me that any “no” from God only comes because there is a greater “YES” at stake. Yet, in the process of getting to that “yes” fear has a way of creeping in. You know, I cannot help but wonder, if at times in life, we aren’t all a little like Joseph’s brothers … remember them? From jealousy-they messed up, then needed mercy from the brother they had wronged. All tangled up in fear over past mistakes. Do we, too, find our thoughts stuck in the sands of the “what if’s” … glancing back at life events …

-relationships we once had

-the people with whom we have parted

-former jobs

-houses we have lived in

-cars we once owned

-opportunities we lost

-bank accounts

-positions once held

You get the point. God brings about change in our lives. He moves us forward & yet we continue to “look back”. He tells us to keep moving, but we keep our gaze, longingly, on the world we once loved, yet … now we are here … where it is not comfortable.

“You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened. You have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them with kind words that touched their hearts.” Genesis 50:20-21 GNB

Following hard after Christ sometimes means we are placed in the most difficult positions. Joseph comforted his people even though they wronged him, and, to banish all their fears, he spoke kindly to them. Broken spirits must be bound up and encouraged. Will you see a broken spirit, today?

Can you choose to encourage those who are facing fear?

Or, an accuser?

Maybe a lost soul?

From the difficult positions, doing the hard things that we are called to do, we act because it is right. Then, when I look in the mirror, I can “yes, Lord”; knowing He is in control of my yesterdays and my tomorrows. Obedience to Him is my offering. One thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to be out of His will for a single heartbeat. So, I will do the hard things. Even when it is difficult and uncomfortable. There is a greater “yes” at stake. Every time.

Wake up.

Let love flow through your cells.

Embrace the newness of that change.

Go.