John 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

Revelation 21: 5 The one seated on the throne said, “look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “write, because these words are faithful and the.”

Reflecting this morning on the day I finally listened, heard, obeyed, and trusted God. For so long, I had been carrying around this very heavy bag of trauma and pain not realizing it was weighing me down. It had become a security blanket because of it’s familiarity. I was trusting it and not God. That may be strange or confusing, but to the woman who lived her life in an elevated state of constant fear of what was going to happen next it is all too familiar.

Even when something is painful and awful the familiar can be oddly comforting.

Several months after my, as I like to say, sweet-and-spicy momma left this earth for heaven, I was spending time with the Lord and journaling during a thunderous wave of grief. In that moment, a sassy voice met me right there where I had my Bible open adorned with my southern lady’s hanky. I felt the Lord’s presence so heavy. It felt like a big warm hug.

He said to me, “Drop the baggage you’ve been carrying forever like it was a priced possession. When I said I healed you, I healed you. I am not a God of halfway, I am an all-in God. It is time for you to tell your stories.” I was shook when I realized I had been treating my trauma as a God. I was absorbing myself, dedicating time and enormous energy and attention to reading, and studying all I could about trauma.

All along, God had already done the work. He was patient and kind and long to allow it. I had not even given Him the space to showme. I was so busy, so distracted by looking for healing. A brief moment of grief slowed me down just long enough to open up a space where I could feel his right hand on me like a
warm blanket. Reaching out to me. I took His hand and decided to drop the baggage and walk into a new season where He is doing something fresh and now with me, my stories, my healing. He told me I was healed. I believe Him.

What is He trying to say to-you? What are you so consumed with that you can’t hear him? What will your life look like when you drop the heavy, but familiar baggage? Friend, He is faithful. His promises are real and they are for you just like they are for Me.

Will you trust Him today?

A Prayer

Holy Spirit, my helper, I am so overwhelmed with gratitude that you are with me always. Thank you, lord for never giving up on one Thanky, God, for being patient with me. I trust you with my hurts, my past, present and future. I believe that you healed me completely and are calling me to something new! I am
excited for what’s next and invite you to carve my path. Show me the way and I will follow. Jesus, you are the way. Not my will, but yours!

Amen