Unexpected Blessings
- The Narrow Path
- Jan 26, 2024
- 2 min read
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land (Psalm 68:5-6, NIV).
There were a few challenges to begin the year, but 2023 brought a lot of blessings to my life! I published my first book, took a week-long beach trip for the first time in years, and celebrated lots of special moments with family and friends.
The biggest blessing of them all was quite unexpected. When I traveled to Florida this time last year, I anticipated rest, relaxation, and a lot of time spent in the sun and sand. While those things held true, I returned with something much more.
Psalm 68:4-6 says: Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him–his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
This set of verses represents the hand of God in 2023 as he brought a group of women into my life that have blessed me more than they know.
I left Florida last year with a tan, soul restoration, and new friendships.
An unlikely group, brought together by individual circumstances, tragedies, and unfulfilled desires of our hearts that have connected us in friendship.
As I’ve walked my journey as a single woman in my 30s desiring a Jesus centered relationship, I have faced a lot of disappointment in that arena. But I’ve also seen the protective and generous hand of God in more ways than I can count.
Psalm 68 reminds me that God sets the lonely in families, and is a defender of widows.
I have sat with these friends and listened to stories of unexpected tragedy, and unfulfilled desires of their hearts, just as I have shared mine with them. There are lots of things in life that we don’t plan for, or anticipate. Some of it is completely heartbreaking, and soul-crushing. Things you think you might never recover from. But God.
He is still good. Though we all mourn and yearn, He will never leave our side. Psalm 68:4 reminds us: Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him–his name is the Lord.
As I spend this coming week in Florida again this year, I am counting my unexpected blessings. I am thankful for the truth that the Lord knows our hearts, knows our stories, and loves us enough to see us through.
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