The Thankful Project: November 18th

The Thankful Project: November 18th: Restoration & Healing

Jeremiah 30:17-19

¹⁷ But I will restore you to health
    and heal your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
‘because you are called an outcast,
    Zion for whom no one cares.’

¹⁸ “This is what the Lord says:

“‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
    and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
    and the palace will stand in its proper place.
¹⁹ From them will come songs of thanksgiving
    and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
    and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
    and they will not be disdained.

God heals, restores, and makes new. This section of scripture out of Jeremiah is a great reminder that God can and will not only restore you but bless you. Sometimes reading Scripture can get a little confusing, so I thought I’d break it down like this:

Verse 17: God can heal both our emotional and physical wounds, even if you feel forgotten, neglected, scorned or embarrassed

Verse 18: God will reestablish your worth and your value. He will build you up stronger and place you on solid ground. He will build you back up on a strong foundation- His grace, His love & His mercy

Verse 19: Bring your praise and thankfulness to the Lord, He will increase your riches in heaven, He will bless you and love on you

How can you not thank God for such a wonderful promise, and all He wants in return is for us to love Him, seek Him, pursue Him and honor Him. I’m thankful for this wonderful love! I’m thankful for restored relationships, healed relationships and relationships that honor Him. As humans we get caught up in this world; people offend us, we get upset and we can hold grudges. Know what though- God can repair your heart and replenish your spirit if you allow Him. Just this past week, someone I have been hardened towards due to the pain they inflicted upon me, came up and apologized. That was God’s hand completely. He brought healing to a wound that I’ve had open for quite a while. Thank God for restoration and healing!

Pluvophile

Pluviophile: A lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days.

Isn't the rain such a peaceful and relaxing sound? There is nothing quite like sitting next to a window, closing your eyes, pressing your forehead against the glass and feeling the coolness that starts in your head and crawls down your spine. 

Some people hate the rain, but I love it. I find escape in the rhythmic pit-pat of the rain drops on my car. It's my excuse to get a cup of Earl Gray from Starbucks and take an extra-long lunch break to just sit in my car and read that book that's stashed in my glove box. I think one of reasons I love the rain is that it becomes therapeutic; cleansing, calming, reassuring, life-bringing. The smell, the taste, the feeling of it on your skin, it is natures way of cleansing the earth, restoring life, and creating new life; isn't it incredible?

The same goes for our spiritual beings- the cleansing of our soul. We are washed cleaned, able to start anew, by the blood of Christ. We are given a new life, we are restored in Him, and it creates a new found hope in our spirit. Every once in a while, we need a cleansing to remember who we are in Him and that there is a much greater purpose to the struggles we face on a daily basis. Just like a flower, we need the occasional rain storm to restore us, let our roots grow deeper, and allow us to continue to grow to our full potential. Don't be detoured by the rain, but embrace it and realize that through the rain and the storm, you will come out on the other side revitalized, renewed, and restored.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7