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He Sets the Scene

Janis Van Keuren
The desert sky in summer just around the corner from our home

      “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:18 NIV

     Who would have ever thought that the Lord meant the desert to be my peaceful dwelling place?  That in the desert our family would build a secure home–as secure as we, with all of our faults, could make it?  That, here, in the heat that nauseates my being, in a water-scarce land, in a place apart from the family I’ve known since birth, He would call me to rest?
     We joked about the tee shirt of the skeleton lady and skeleton man reclining on their lounge chairs.  “It’s A Dry Heat”, the slogan quipped. I gave it to Hubby before we moved here from the place I had always called home.  It was my jab in Hubby’s ribs saying, I’ll go with you but I don’t have to like it.  I don’t think that is the way Scripture translates Ruth’s faith-filled action to accompany her mother-in-law into a strange land–hmmm.
     Sixteen years we’ve called this desert home.  Sixteen years filled with friends, new and some long-time from California, caught in the move; friendly neighbors; block parties; back-yard barbecues; bonding of women as weekly prayer warriors; Christian fellowship and Bible teaching; kids riding bikes and skateboarding; splashing in the pool, guest rooms filled with friends from far off and some family, too.
     It would seem the Lord has made this desert, this land that I despised, the land that seemed desolate and full of loneliness a peaceful dwelling place for our family.   
     Will I finally let my heart agree with His?
     This Scripture from Isaiah graces a wall hanging in our home, featuring the artwork of Thomas Kinkade.  The picture illustrates a mountain home resting by lake dotted with boats.  Trees dripping in green with a profusion of wildly colorful flowers spring from the ground surrounding the home.  This has been my vision of a peaceful dwelling place.
     I think the picture of rest in my mind needs adjusting.

     What has the Lord called you to and has your heart been left behind?  What has helped you see His picture clearer?
 
    Linking up today with others at Word Filled Wednesday at the Internet Cafe.

     From My Heart to Yours,
     Janis



                                                                                                                        

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Comments

He Sets the Scene — 15 Comments

  3. oh we match today! I love that you wrote on rest! must be a message we need today too!!
    God Bless!
    (ps. I need to try your cake below!

  4. Janis, thanks for the reminder that it is not so much the place that refreshes us, but it is GOd who refreshes us no matter the place. Elsewhere in Isaiah the prophet speaks about the refreshing that comes from the Lord, “For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water.” (35:6-7)

  5. Thanks Richard for that Scripture from Isaiah. Only the Lord can make water burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. And I’m so glad when He does. Awaiting the summer monsoon downpour!

    Blessings,
    Janis

  7. Perfectly open and honest as to what the Lord does to our hearts in the heat of the desert!
    Karen

  8. I could so relate to your inspirational Bible verse. God has moved me twice and the place I used to call home is so very far away. But as He keeps reminding me, and as I learned in my youth, “I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home!” 🙂 Lovely to have such good company as you and Abraham! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  11. Lisa, Thank you for your precious comments.

    Christian, Thank you for your comments and for following this blog.

    Kaye, Thanks for the reminder that we are strangers here and Heaven is our home!

    Cathy, Thank you for coming by and sharing. You have a beautiful gift for music.

    From My Heart to Yours,
    Janis

  13. Julie, thank your for your comment about the sunset. Summer evenings over the desert hold spectacular skies for the viewer. God paints an incredibly beautiful sunset!

    From My Heart to Yours,
    Janis

  15. Sherry, thank you for stopping by. Learning to be content is a continual process and choosing for me. Until the Lord works it complete in my heart.

    From My Heart to Yours,
    Janis

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