When Fullness Seems Far Away and A Give-Away

Welcome everyone. If you are new to my blog I am waving a big hello and I hope you like it here…If you are returning I am so glad you are back, consider yourself hugged! I have the privilege of having a guest post on (in)courage today.

Bands of shattered dreams, a now barren womb, and empty arms tighten around my heart. It seems it cannot open to fill with blood to pump life to my body. Life lost its color, hope a pipe dream, and fullness didn’t even exist.

Is it true that even here a well of joy could be found in the empty places?

While dreams remain unfulfilled, the process seems unending, and the end may not be what I want, can I find joy there?

Where is the full life that Jesus came to give when all around seems barren?

Is it true that as Ann Voskamp says in her book that we just need eyes to see?

Eyes to see the joy and fullness in the barren and difficult. Eyes that cry joy and see fullness while hearts squeeze tight.

Is that what God means when He says,

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”  Isaiah 55:1-2

Are you empty? Come to God and drink. Are you hungry? Come to God and eat. Why labor on what does not satisfy?

I act as if fullness lies in a dream fulfilled, a baby in my womb, a loved one here instead of in eternity, a healthy body. But I am laboring for what is not food and spending money on what is not drink.

If in my barren times I see God’s well. His well of grace overflowing. Grace of time, breath, family, friends. Most importantly the grace of the gift of His Son.

Do you see it? Our barren times are not barren, no we just need to take the blinders off and see God’s provision there. I am often like a child, throwing a fit that I don’t like the plate of food God has placed in front of me. I hide under the table refusing to partake. I cross my arms and press my lips together and shake my head as God graciously offers me a spoonful. Why do I not see?

We who have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross are children of God. He has fullness for us. That is why children who live in dumps in Mexico enjoy playing soccer with an orange peel. They have fullness because they are grateful for an orange peel.

There is fulness in the tears while we grieve the loss of a loved one. We have the assurance of eternity with Jesus and we are grateful for His provision.

When dreams don’t work out as we plan or finances run low or illness invades or relationships scrape our souls there is fullness there. God provision. God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Can we find joy in that?

Fullness is there like a feast we just need to sit down, thank the Lord, and partake in His joy.

How have you found fullness in your barrenness? What have you done to partake in the joy feast in the midst of difficult times? Can you share in the comments?

Finally I have a give-away. I will send a copy of Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts to the winner. How do you enter?

1. Like my Facebook page by clicking here and then clicking like. Leave a comment that you liked my page.

2. Follow my blog on networked blogs OR sign-up for an e-mail subscription by entering your e-mail in the box on the right hand column. Leave a comment that you are now following my blog.

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5. Leave a comment on this post of any kind. You can just say you hope you win the book, just leave a comment.

You have until Thursday September 29th at 8 PM CDT to enter. I will announce the winner on Friday September 30th. I can’t wait to see who wins!