From Frustrated to Refreshed

In need of a soul refresh? Sometimes the issue is not the issue.

Prefer to listen? I have a little prayer at the end just for you.

Frustrated. 

Toddler frustrated. 

Immaturely frustrated and I knew it. 

It was the kind you couldn’t shake.  Like you wanted to get out of your own skin, you know? 

But I had the luxury of a house all to myself (!) so I grabbed my Bible to escape, turned on a favorite worship song, and sat down to breathe in and fill up. 

He is so faithful to rejuvenate. 

I opened my eyes to these words in Psalm 84 vs. 1-4 (NIV):

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the court of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising You.

Being in Jesus’ dwelling place was what my soul needed; the words refreshed me like I had plunged into a cool lake on a sweltering day. 

Once I decided to abide, I wondered why I waited so long. 

V 10a

Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

Just to be still in His presence showed me the issue wasn’t the issue; it was my indecision.  Bordering on disobedience.  He wanted me to step back from an assumed responsibility and I was stalling.  

It was in the quiet that He was heard.  And I could see more clearly.

Then verse 11 (KJV) :

For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will he withhold from them that walk upright.

This verse took me immediately to a precious gift, paid forward.

My Great Grandmother Emily, inscribed this verse in a Bible given to her son in 1898 on his 15th birthday.  The Bible surfaced from my parents’ 7-generation family farmhouse and my father verbalized that it was to be mine that Christmas.  As the youngest of a large family, this was significant.  Our oldest son bears the same name as my Grandfather so my Dad awaited our homecoming to present this gift to our family.  I received the Bible posthumously, however; my beloved Dad met Jesus, 5 weeks before Christmas.

This verse signifies legacy to me.  The passing on of faith, steeped in a mother’s prayer for her son. The Bible, becoming worn by his hands that marked verses for emphasis.  

This, a treasure of hope.  Hope, that each generation maintains the chain of faith so that our family’s heritage of freedom will continue to be restored and refreshed. As souls yearning for contentment find Jesus beckoning them into His dwelling place.

V 12 (NIV)

Lord Almighty blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Eleven years later, with brimming eyes, my clammy grip released this legacy of faith, from mother to son of 20 years. The one who bears the same name as the original recipient. 

He accepted the significance and purpose of the Lord’s legacy with a determined resolve.  Our eyes met, him knowing the difficulty in the giving. An imperceptible nod of appreciation to the honor and favor bestowed.

Sober confidence that he is a link in the Lord’s legacy of faith.

Who shows love to a thousand generations to those who love Him (see Deuteronomy 5:10 NIV).

Oh, how His tender Words bring nourishment to our souls.

Frustration now dissolved. Refreshed with the deep joy and contentment that comes from being known and loved by Words, memories, and a reminder of eternal purpose and blessing that transcends generations.

Do you have a verse that evokes a healing memory or brought refreshment to your soul recently? Encourage another? Pull up a chair to the Contented Table Community and share.

A gentle reminder,

God wants you to know,

He sees you. He hears you. He loves you.

Jane