This is what it looks like

So this morning I was up way before I wanted to be. A good friend of mine and I go walking in the mornings at 6am across the river. It's usually so hard to get out of bed, but after I get going with walking and talking I'm fine; and I end up preferring to be up at this early hour. This morning we didn't go, but I was up and ready. And as I opened the door to walk out onto the balcony the street lights revealed a heavy fog that was just sitting.

I can see through it, but not well:) And as I sit here on my couch with the curtains open, it's still slightly dark outside, but the fog is amazing. I'm a huge fan of snow, rain and fog to begin with, but this was just an amazing treat this morning. I almost missed it and had I been able to fall back asleep I would have.
I'm sitting here on the couch, coffee in hand and I turn on Pandora Radio. Type in Kim Walker and guess what plays? What always plays, of course, her live rendition of How He Loves. I wasn't expecting this song and wasn't affected by it until I thought once again about the fog. How He loves......fog......it's seriously drenched outside right now with fog. It's everywhere and it's thick. It's tangible and it's beautiful. Sometimes it's so heavy you can't help but be blind to everything else. And what a huge message from the Lord that I almost missed. Really, all this morning as I sit and look out the window I can see and feel how His love is abounding, tangible, thick, beautiful. And if we aren't paying attention, we can see it and still miss it completely. As soon as I thought about what my apartment was covered with, God was saying "This is it, this is what it looks like. This is what you have and this is what you keep. This is who I Am and this is what I am. This is why you're here and this is what you're meant for."

And now look at this scripture: "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22

Another reason why our God is so great- His love as heavy and thick as fog, completely obliterates my sin that's like the morning mist. As I read the verse, Kim Walker sings "I belong to you..." It's true. I do.

The fog isn't lifting, but I think maybe this morning, for right now, it's not supposed to:)

"For I have redeemed you..."

~Laramie

Locusts

Last Sunday I was blessed to be able to be a part of a worship team leading for a church that has gone through some huge valleys. In the message that followed our worship, the pastor pulled a scripture out of Joel. And I was listening, I promise. But it wasn't until he repeated one phrase over and over did it resonate:

Joel 2:25, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten..."

Looking at my own heart and how calloused and distracted it is, I understand why this flew over my head the first time. But as soon as I heard, really heard what the verse was saying, I broke inside. Because no matter what I face, no matter how long it takes me to climb out of these valleys, no matter who comes out on the other side with me or not, I know-- that He will "repay for the years the locusts have eaten."

I have a lot to dig through. There are things that have been coming up that I didn't know where down there in my soul, and I know there is more. I think that I'm starting to desire to chip away at these things with God. And right now, my hope hangs on the fact that I'm being obedient, and it will be repaid. I know that I know that I know, that it's not in vain. He keeps bringing me through and remaining true in what He promises- it's me that can't be faithful all the time. This verse puts all of the emotion and hope into one phrase. And I know that once we are on the other side, where moth and rust can't destroy, all these years will be repaid- and I'll understand.

~Laramie

Oh winter, you finally came:)

It's finally chilly! Like, FREEZING. Almost freezing, not quite. But cold enough to where I feel at home. A couple of friends and I took a trip up to Chicago over our fall break. Holy smokes, I miss that place.

I definitely have a problem organizing my time. It's most likely a combination of my chaotic schedule and temporary insanity that seems to hog my brain cells every once in a while. But, in the midst of it all, the Lord is in the middle of opening all my closets. Which stinks, I hate closets.

The other day in Old Testament we were going through some Psalms and Proverbs that had special meaning to us. I love Psalm 34 and the honesty and hope that it brings to the forefront. Here's my favorite part....:)
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I have a lot of baggage right now, a lot to sort through. And I'm so bad at it, I really am. But these verses give me peace. I may not be able to trust the Lord with everything all the time, a fault of my own; but there is comfort in knowing that He is close....and He is saving my crushed spirit.

Close: near, or near together.

Saves: to keep safe, intact, or unhurt; safeguard; preserve

My God is near, keeping me safe and unhurt. That's my King.

~Laramie