I talked to a friend yesterday who's feeling like so many of us. (Thanks for all your comments on Monday's post. Amazing how many of us are feeling the same sorts of things, isn't it? Is it this time of the year, do you think? Have we all had PMS this week? Is it in the water?)
Anyway. The circumstances are somewhat different, but she and I are feeling so many of the same things. We've had our feelings hurt, we're feeling unappreciated and taken for granted. Feeling like we gave something only to have it tossed aside. Left wondering what it means. What to do. Wanting to lash out, lash back. Holding out, holding back. Waiting. Asking. Praying. Questioning.
And in the midst of our conversation, she said, "Exactly."
What a gift to have someone understand and know. To get it. To accept it.
Exactly.
And in offering hope and encouragement to each other, we both said some things to the other that were exactly what we needed to hear ourselves. The kind of things that you say and then think "I didn't want to hear that!" because it hit a little close to home.
And then something freaky happened.
A verse popped into my head from nowhere (well, not from nowhere, from God really, but totally out of the blue). So I said, "This verse just popped into my head." And she said, "I don't mean to freak you out, but EXACT THE SAME VERSE popped into my head right before you said that." And then we both got goosebumps.
Stand firm and you will see
the deliverance the LORD will bring you today...
The LORD will fight for you,
you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:13-14
Exactly.
Wow. That is bizarre, but clearly from the Lord.
Im so sorry you are feeling some of these friends.
I love you and wish I was a bit closer so I could come over, bring hot chocolate and watch WHITE CHRISTMAS with you.
And share some of your burdens.
I love you,
Rachel
Posted by: No.17CherryTreeLane | December 09, 2009 at 08:17 AM
Thank you for that verse. How good it feels to be reminded that not only someone is fighting for us, but the LORD is fighting for us! Praying for peace and blessings for you today!
Posted by: dyan | December 09, 2009 at 08:47 AM
I needed needed needed that. Thanks joanne!
Posted by: Betsy | December 09, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Ooooh, that brought chills. I love when God speaks SO clearly like that. Hoping and praying today is seen in a new light... and for you to wait on Him. :)
Posted by: Nikki | December 09, 2009 at 09:21 AM
You know it's God when it's a bit of a random verse that pops up. I love when that happens...
You're still not alone...xoxo
Posted by: Michelle | December 09, 2009 at 09:25 AM
This post is so cool! I got an e-mail from a friend yesterday that said she understood EXACTLY what I was dealing with because she was dealing with it too. God is SO big, huh?
Posted by: Lisa notes... | December 09, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I love this post! It's so exciting to know God is always at work and knows every detail of our lives and is ready to give us answer and equip us with His Word! Mary Ann
Posted by: Mary Ann | December 09, 2009 at 10:26 AM
i think having a sister (or two or four) in the Lord is what makes living on this side of heaven just a little sweeter...
Posted by: ann berg | December 09, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Love it...and love you, friend! Why, oh why do we have to live on opposite sides of town? :)
Posted by: adele | December 09, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Wow, I needed that verse Joanne. Thanks for hearing from the Lord... and sharing with us.
Posted by: linda t | December 09, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Love that verse! In fact, Exodus 14 is where I tend to be camping out these days.
I'm with Rachel...would love to do hot chocolate & White Christmas with you, and talk about our Jesus!
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | December 09, 2009 at 11:10 AM
EXACTLY the verse I needed to hear today!
Posted by: Antracia | December 09, 2009 at 01:35 PM