I am finally back at the desk, starting a new blog. This has been on my heart for some time, but as always, excuses. You know the scoop. We make excuses for many things, if not most. So my final excuse was, "I don't know what to call my blog." Immediately Diamonds in the Desert was bold in my heart.
Why the desert? My life has been a continual desert walk. I have mountain top experiences, but soon I find myself in the desert again. Sometimes, I put myself in the desert like Hagar in Genesis 16, when she ran from her problems at home. But she met God in the desert, and she needed to address her problems in order to live in freedom.
Other times God has led me to the desert as the Children of Israel to learn some hard lessons. Lessons of gratefulness, patience, love, worship, and the list goes on. For you see, in the desert, my comfort is taken away. Those things on which I have set my heart is not there. Just God and I. This puts my 29 years in Haiti in a nutshell. Although, it was not a horrible experience in Haiti, but a life long lesson of many things I did not understand before my life began in Haiti.
Now I am beyond the quake since 2010 (for those who read this and may not know, my husband and I are earthquake survivors). But God continues to work in my life.
Psalm 84 (especially verses 5-7) has been a favorite of mine for many years. It describes what I feel. When I am in the midst of a trying time, I pass through the valley of tears (Baca), but there are blessings along the way, I walk from strength to strength. For me those strengths were encouragements from people, tidbits from God's Word, or God showing up in unexpected ways.
God is my Strength, my Shield, Grace and Glory! I am blessed!
My prayer is that my blogs will encourage you and be a blessings
Love the writing and esp the name-reflections of the jewel that u r! Looking forward to what all yu will be sharing with us! Love Joyce
ReplyDeleteThank you Barb for your encouraging blog. Yes God is our strength. I have found Isa. 40:30 such a comfort to me these days since Ezra is gone. "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
ReplyDeleteI often think of you. God is with you, He is near you.
DeleteI like your blog. God bless you! He is GOOD!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI found your new blog quite by accident and so glad that I did. Thanking the Lord that He prompted you to start writing again! You are an earthquake survivor and I am a cancer survivor and both of us have been left residual physical pain. And God has been faithful to both of us...praise His Holy Name! Please keep writing...you are an inspiration to me and I'm sure many others.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous....thank you for your comment..Yes, God is ever faithful!! He is with us every moment.
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