An Unexpected Bloom
Sarah Freymuth
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a...
“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’” John 11:41-42 (NIV)
“He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior …” Titus 3:6 (CSB)
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Lord, the realities of life on this side of heaven are just maddening to understand, and I sometimes find myself asking … Why? As I face injustices and brokenness, feel let down by others, or just work through the complicated dynamics of doing life with other sinners, help me to bring my anger to You. Help me to choose forgiveness and to see others’ perspectives. Bring healing. Pave the way for any necessary conversations. Release me from any shame I feel about myself. Thank You for not leaving me alone in these feelings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” Psalm 119:35 (NIV)
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” Luke 9:23 (NIV)
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
“I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD …” Psalm 27:4 (CSB)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a...
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9b (CSB)