It was a Wednesday night. The kids were in bed, and my precious husband passed by to notice I was pretty glum. It had been a long day for both of us, and he could have easily ignored my moody demeanor and chosen to simply sit down at the TV to check the sports highlights. I’m sure he knew the questions “Abby, is everything okay? What’s on your heart?” would cost him his evening. Yet he pressed.
And in the pressing I popped. Tears and blubbered lies I’d been listening to came out. Wounds from the year were felt. Lamenting, some whining, and true burdens I’ve been carrying were shared.
He wrapped his arms around me and prayed. “Father God, you are the lifter of Abigail’s head. You know her and see her. May your nearness be known right now.” He went on in prayer.
You see in many ways 2022 has felt like “the lost year” to me. Whereas His goodness has been SO evident, there also have been many unfulfilled dreams and promises still aching to be seen. There are many places I’m still holding in my heart and it’s easy to see my empty hands in discouragement.
Maybe you relate. Perhaps the unexpected happened or the expected didn’t go as planned. Perhaps you feel you should have more to show for 2022.
But as Ryan reminded me, some seasons are roots down seasons. Some seasons are hidden on purpose. Some seasons are for plowing and preparing. Those seasons are valuable, even when not visible.
God values the unseen.
God values the private.
God values invisible sound waves muttered in prayer and praise.
God values the trust.
God is supernatural and can see the unseen.
So if you feel a sense of discouragement in the events of the year, let me encourage you:
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A LOST YEAR with God. His presence adds value and His blood redeems it all.
Every moment He redeems for His glory.
Every. Moment.
Let that sink in.
The pauses in traffic to gaze at Him
The sentences you didn’t say even though wanted to in anger.
The choice you made to pray when you wanted to wallow.
The budgets you shifted to prioritize giving.
The time you served even when you were exhausted.
And on and on and on.
The moments that are overlooked, short, small, insignificant, “no big deal”…. Nope. Nothing gets overlooked. Nothing gets swept under the rug. He hears it ALL. He redeems it ALL. The good, the bad, the selfish, and the selfless… His blood is powerful enough to use it all for His glory! What a POTENT reality this is.
2 Cor 4:18
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.
Perhaps this was a year of intense activity of spiritual warfare and kingdom of God expansion. You don’t have much to “show” for that, but eternity does. Eternity defines true value.
DO NOT GIVE INTO DISCOURAGEMENT.
Get your eyes up and settle in your heart, perhaps the harvest you are longing for will be heaven side. An eternal bounty and reward is valuable! Just because we don’t “see” it now doesn’t mean it’s not happening. He who promises is faithful! And He doesn’t always promise “now” but he does promise “near”. He will fulfill His promises.
I’m not giving up. I’m not letting go. Are you with me? Keep dreaming, keep going, keep gazing at Him.
The Light will be seen.
The glory will be given.
The Good News will be shared.
The Healing will come.
The Nations will bow.
The King will return.
We must continue to contend.
We must press in and push out discouragement. Not my might, not by power but by The Spirit. He will help.
At the end of Ryan’s prayer time I heard the Lord say “Abigail, it hasn’t been a lost year, it’s been a laid down year. You have sacrificed well. The lowly path is the way of the Lord” (Cue the tears)
The year is not over. We can’t control or change many things about this year, but we can control the praise we give. And friends, we still have time to give it all.
Chin up, The King is coming,
Abby
***Don’t forget… The Cirkles are cheering you on.
In theme of this blog, this song seems applicable. “Christ Be All Around Me” - Leeland
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