I love these pictures...
Mostly because of the memories that surround them, that you can't see
In progression, they tell a story of individual lives,
coming along side and becoming community
God intended us to live in community not isolated,
we are better when we live within community where we can share and grow
You see at the time these were taken, life, Satan, and some very toxic relationships had turned me to isolation, And I was down for the count. You know the kind of days when you want to pull the covers over your head and never move out of the bed! Or like when Elijah sat discouraged, tired and defeated ready to give up and die, because it was too scary and too hard. Ever had one of those days?
Just as God brought ravens to Elijah's rescue, God brought a handful of good friends to see me through, when everyone else, yes mine own familiar friends that I went into the sanctuary with as David said; Turned their backs on me without even asking my side of the story.
Ahhhhh but those faithful friends walked alongside me, counseled me, listened to me, corrected me where needed, encouraged me often, stood by me at the risk of their own well being, ate with me, laughed with me, cried with me, opened the word with me, prayed with me and for me, trusted God with me when none of us could see the answers, but knew God would not leave us nor forsake any of us.
I was with 2 of these friends when I took these pictures, 2 years ago, and at the time of these pictures none of us knew how the story would be written for or against us, we just knew we had our God and a few good friends that could be transparent with, and pour our hearts out to. To me this is what God had in mind when he made us to need and desire community. We are stronger in community, we are wiser in community, we are better in community, we grow in community, we mature in community.
To the glory of God, we had different paths to get where we are today, but certainly as of the time of this writing we all are healed because of community, stronger because of community,sharpened within community and better equipped to help others heal within the safety of community.
And you thought these were just some random pictures of some horses......
Iron sharpeneth iron. Thank you for sharpening me. That was such an amazing day filled with the presence of God and the Holy Spirit's leading. For where two or three are gathered there He is in the midst of us. A three fold cord is not quickly broken my friend. Glad to be hiking with you toward our homes in heaven. Thank you for praying with me through those times when I, like Elijah, wanted to just give it all up and die. Thank you for walking with me through my battles, spiritual and emotional and mental. Love you friend. You are beautiful inside and out.
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