Nevertheless… One Word 2019 – Allie’s Praise…

Dear Reader, recently I began looking closer at my faith through the filter of “nevertheless“. The Lord has used His Word, time spent in prayer and reflection to guide me in a new direction. It wasn’t a direction I was seeking. Nevertheless, the more I try to lean into His will, trust His promises, the more joy and peace He imparts. 

Have you ever made an about face? Not knowing what lies ahead, no guarantees of success, nevertheless, to continue on the same path seemingly no longer possible.

I don’t know about you, Dear Reader, but I don’t have a life map in my back pocket, signed, sealed, and delivered by the Lord. Just because we head down one path doesn’t mean it’s a lifelong choice, whether it’s good or bad.

In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:6 RSV

Do you see that, Dear Reader, “your paths”, not path. And nothing about where the paths will lead, or for how long. It seems to me that following paths the Lord has made straight is a partnership, a partnership built on trust and obedience.

My One Word for 2019 is NEVERTHELESS. Even when the Lord calls me to do the impossible, nevertheless, I’ll trust His wisdom and love. If He stops me in my tracks, I’ll trust Him to give me the patience I need to wait for His next move. And when I really mess up, nevertheless I’ll trust that His grace and forgiveness are greater than my sin. (Yeah, I know, that’s a lot of really big stuff to believe for, nevertheless …) 

 “Nevertheless, the Lord will wait so he can be gracious to you; and thus he will rise up to show you mercy. For the Lord is a God of justice. How blessed are all those who wait for him.”
Isaiah 30:18 ISV

Dear Reader, I’m learning that God not only loves me, He loves encouraging me to grow. That may mean second chances, new opportunities, roadblocks or even dead ends. NEVERTHELESS, the God of Heaven and Earth has promised to never leave me. 

Will you join me on a journey to greater trust? Shall we choose an attitude of “nevertheless” as our traveling companion? Shall we be surprised, confused, and overjoyed, in spite of our frailities, at how the Lord chooses to love and grow us up?

Dear Reader, I hope you will indulge me a little reminder to 
​bravely embrace the not knowing of NEVERTHELESS. ​