Peace laden. Revealing. Restful. Inspiring. Healing.
My prayer was that it wouldn't just be a trip, but rather a subtle collision, an intimate meeting with the God of the universe. And it was. Sometimes it takes getting away from the noise to hear Him clearly. And I needed to hear from Him far more than I even realized.
He simply isn't capable of disappointing His children when they cry out with sincere hearts. He heard me. He heard us. And He responded. Brilliantly, beautifully, perfectly...
At night I'd curl up in the massive canopy bed with a mug of sleepytime tea, and stare across the palm tops and waves to the hazy skyline of nearby Cozumel. As I'd drift off to sleep, one specific verse rolled around and around in my heart, day in, day out:
"For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11
No good thing. Not one single, good thing.
Provision, health, safety. Insight, direction, peace. Joy, favor, moments of bliss. The list is endless. But for me, specifically, it was hours of quiet with my love... on the beach, lounging on the balcony overlooking the ocean reading for hours, curled up in bed, soaking in the jacuzzi. It was dreaming of the future, exploring blissful possibilities, planning towards our growing family. It was long and honest conversations with the Lord, humbly asking questions, waiting for answers, being inspired beyond what we thought possible. It was sharp and crystal clarity neither of us have had in a long time... and peace. Sheer, pure, unadulterated peace that could only have come from Him. It crept up like a silent fog, engulfing us entirely. It was alluring, enchanting, and we didn't hesitate to fall into it's grasp, letting our hearts and minds settle with childlike trust.
I felt so completely safe and loved, so seen. I kept telling Josh, "Our Father is so good. He's so generous to us. It's overwhelming, almost unreal sometimes. He is just. So. Good."
Life isn't always good. In fact, it downright sucks sometimes. We live in a truly fallen, broken, jacked-up world. It's reality. But He is good. We get our hearts broken, our dreams dashed, our hopes pulverized. But He is good. We get hurt, depressed, upset, lost. But He is good.
He is unchanging. He is forever for us. He is good.
And I, well... I am forever grateful. Astounded by His goodness for a thousand reasons I could never begin to put to words, day in, day out... I am grateful.
Sometimes, more than anything else, we just need to hear from our Father. Perhaps regarding something specific, perhaps simply to connect. If you need that life-giving infusion of Truth, I hope you'll intentionally seek it out. I promise you won't regret it. Even a mere 10 minutes of silence and seeking will deeply nourish your soul.