Cartwheels of Joy
Two years ago, my fingers tapped out a few words, and I hit the publish button in this space for the first time. Slowly, this spot on the web has evolved into a self-portrait.
Blogging had crashed into my life one dismal Monday morning in January — I sat in bed reading the words of a former student as she poured out her heart for all the blogosphere to behold. Her painfully raw story helped bring healing to my wounded heart and empty womb. I cried and kept reading — consuming every word.
How does one walk forward with God when the crib is bare and the grave is full? How do you say “yes” to God with empty hands? I am daily learning that lesson — one blog post at a time.
This week, as I was digging “Into the Word,” I stumbled across a passage that helped me as I work to piece together my heart:
Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I’m king of the mountain!Habakkuk 3:17-19, MSG
Daily, my focus must fall on Him — the Sustainer of my soul. No other sustenance will satisfy. He provides the daily strength I need. He alone will restore and refresh my spirit. My mountain-moving God will prevail. My heart leaps with joy as I look to Him.
How do you daily choose to focus on God? How has He renewed your heart? I would love for you to share in the comment section below.
Every Monday we will be working our way through Anne Graham Lotz’s 52-week study “Into the Word.” Hop on over to the 3dLessons4Life Blog Facebook Page to join us as we dig into God’s Word together.
Linking up with a like-minded sisters at Faith Filled Friday, Thought-Provoking Thursday, Good Morning Girls, “Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday!”and Soli Deo Gloria @ Finding Heaven.
We as Bloggers share our open faces knowing that there are others who will find comfort in knowing that they are NOT alone. We are just fragile persons encouraging others and pointing them to Jesus.
love your word choice –“open faces.”
I love those last verses of Habakkuk. I love them and I have treasured them in my heart. I hadn’t read them in the Message version, though, and the cartwheels will stay burned on my brain. ALways joyful — that is my goal. Embracing Him when the world falls apart. Amen.
This passage has been sitting in my heart all week, but I finally read it in the Message translation yesterday for the first time. Loved the word picture!
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” ~ John 6:68
This passage comforts my heart because it shows to me that we are nothing without our Savior. Yeah, sometimes we look around and wonder why things are the way they are, but then I remember this passage and cannot help but to share Peter’s heart… No matter our circumstances, there is no place we would rather be but in the arms of Jesus!
Wrapped in His embrace… Yes!!!
I also started blogging because of the healing I received while reading other blogs. Humbled and grateful to know that God used me to provide the same for someone else…especially someone as special as you! Love you!
Hugs and many thanks!!!
so encouraged by this <3
Praying you, Mike and the little ones have a joy-filled week! 🙂
It’s all about seeking first the Kingdom of God and these things shall be added unto you…We must do our part by seeking Him…some times I wonder how people ever make it without God in their lives…all the more so we must bring them in by spreading the gospel and telling them about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Love that verse from Matthew 6 — seeking Him is the key. 🙂
Cartwheels of joy. Oh my. What a beautiful thought! So glad you were observant to notice it, and thoughtful enough to share it.
Lovely to connect with you, Lisa. I so enjoyed visiting your blog tonight.
So much faith, hope, promise and trust here — thank you for that, my friend.
You, my dear, have the gift of encouragement. Thank you.
Beautifully put, Lily. We just had a life group lesson Sunday on Revelation 19 & the marriage supper of the Lamb. Beth Moore talked about Rev. 19:7 – Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! The word “rejoice” was the same idea as your cartwheel of joy translation! She said we Dance in Advance, knowing what’s coming in the very real eternity ahead, despite what’s going on in this temporary earth here – which is just what you’re doing! Thanks for your thoughts and your obedience. May God bless you for that! 🙂 Give yourself a hug from ME.
LOVE Beth Moore — thanks for sharing that thought. xoxo
Thanks for your sweet visit and comment on my 9/11 post today.
So glad you are joining the Soli Sisters. I appreciate your sharing with joy from a place of pain in your life.
Fondly,
Glenda
thanks, Glenda. Beauty for Ashes — I am thankful for that promise!
Wow. Wish I had something more insightful to say but I’m just wow-ed. That’s all I got. Thanks for writing!
Thanks, Laura. I am so enjoying reading your posts on Judges — so much meat in there!
That is one of my favorite passages, Lily, and one I return to often. It brings so much balance to remember that I rejoice in the God of my salvation, because God the Lord is my strength! …not the fruit of the tree…not the fruit of the vine…not the produce of the fields…not the flock or herds…not anything of this world. God alone is my strength!
Thank you for the beautiful reminder with your personal story!
Yes! Isn’t it great to know that His everlasting strength is greater than anything we will face? 🙂