Excited to introduce you to Alecia today. I met Alecia through the God-sized Dreams site. If you haven’t checked that out you should. It is such a place of encouragement and a supportive community as you follow the Lord and what He’s placed on your heart.
Alecia is a Southerner by birth (and grace) and gypsy by
marriage (she’s moved 7 times in the last 13 years). She writes to
encourage Christians to live differently because of the grace we’ve been shown
through Jesus. She has a heart to encourage others to get off the rocky
shore of self-doubt and sail into the life Christ has waiting for them. She is quiet by nature, introverted, quirky
and fiercely loyal (she becomes Mama Bear when someone messes with her people).
She will share her heart; story, struggles and her pain- just don’t ask her to
share her chocolate! You can connect
with her at her blog There’s Something Different, Twitter, or Facebook
Read Psalm 109
“O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent.”
-Psalm 109:1
For the last three years life, as I have known it, has been turned upside down. My husband took a job transfer to Iowa and moved on ahead while I stayed behind in Alabama with the kids to finish out the school year. Every natural disaster you can think of occurred while he was gone. First, we were snowed and iced in. And then, once the weather turned warm, we were hit with the deadliest string of tornadoes to hit the area in history.
We survived the tornadoes, finished the school year and joined my husband in Iowa. After a little over a year there we made another move, this time to Texas.
Can I just say? I think some people are born to thrive in climates of constant change; but I for one am not one of those people. I like routine and the same old thing. If I need a change I’ll go on a vacation thank you very much.
To say I was needy would be an understatement…I was flat out desperate. My body went into survival mode and has refused to come out even though life is pretty normal now. This has been my life for the last three years and I have never been more needy or desperate for God to stand by my side and feel like he is holding my hand and walking me through each day.
A year later I still find myself not adjusting to life in Texas as well as I would like. My heart longs to go home to be closer to all that’s familiar. But God has been impressing upon me, “not yet.”
He has work for me to do in Texas and I have been resisting and refusing.
Depression has slowly moved in on me like a thick dense fog. The kind that makes it hard to see good coming out of anything.
“For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I fade away like an evening shadow…Help me, O Lord my God; save me in accordance with your love.” -Psalm 109:22, 23, 26
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| Photo Credit: Flickr |
My mind accuses and places guilt upon me, for not being stronger and having more faith, but God lovingly reminds me I am His and to take his burden for it is lite to bear.
“For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him” (Psalm 109:31). I read these verses again and then one more time.
He has been reassuring this weak and weary heart that I don’t have to walk alone and weighed down. I only need to keep my eyes on Him and each day just take the next step. I close my eyes and I picture Jesus standing next to my right side, gently grabbing a hold of my hand and walking through this fog with me. Step by step he is there reassuring me with his eyes and smile that together we will make it to the other side. We’re slowly walking out of this overwhelming darkness. The fog has lifted some and light is starting to break through.
I am so overwhelmed by His love and grace that I know, come what may, He will never leave my side. Thank you, sweet Jesus, for always being willing to hold the hand of the needy one.
Dependent on Him,
Alecia
Deep Breaths:
1. Reread Psalms 109
2. How does this psalm bring you comfort for the dark places in your life? Use some of these verses as a prayer to God to help and comfort you in need.
3. How can we pray for you today? Consider leaving a prayer request in the comments and we will join you in lifting it before the Lord. If you aren’t comfortable sharing publicly you can just put “unspoken”.
Beautiful post and such a reminder that He is with us in everything!!
Thank you, sweet Kristin. Even on the dark and dreary days He is there, and has been my light on this journey!
I hear you, Alecia. Transitions can be so life-altering. That you hold His hand step by step is a beautiful testimony of His unchanging strength. And your hope shines through that final image.
Can't they? I've never been one to like change to begin with, so the last few years have been really hard. Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so happy that my hope shines through in my story!
Oh. my. word. Alecia, I so desperately needed to read this today! This right here -> "A year later I still find myself not adjusting to life in Texas as well as I would like. My heart longs to go home to be closer to all that’s familiar. But God has been impressing upon me, "not yet." He has work for me to do in Texas and I have been resisting and refusing." I'm not in TX but I'm not where I thought I would be right now or where I want to be. So I totally feel your pain. Oddly enough, (ha, ha!) I'm hearing the same message of not yet and there is work for me to do here and yes, I've been resisting too. Thanks for the conviction and encouragement today. Love this post!
Yay!! I love that! God intertwining messages to His daughters. It's not easy letting go to what you want to what He desires. But ultimately it is for the best, and for me it's about trusting Him. Do I really trust Him? I want to say YES! But my actions don't always scream that. Praying we'll be able to let go and give in to His plans, and that we will trust Him. Thanks for stopping by, Holly!
He stands at the right hand of the needy…what a powerful image in this Psalm.
I would love prayers for a needy one in our family – due to her own choices. We pray for truth, we pray for God to do whatever He needs to do for His will in her life, we pray for spiritual and mental healing and well-being. I find myself in grief over the impact her choices have had on our family, for the lost dream of what I thought our family would/could be, so verse 30 is also great for me – with my mouth I will give GREAT thanks to the LORD – I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
I'm so sorry, Kelley. I'll be standing in prayer with you and my other sisters in Christ on your family members behalf.
We are joining you in that prayer Kelley!
I'm ever so grateful He never leaves us. Thank you for this encouragment today, Alecia. This series is really encouraging me to spend more time in the Psalms. THANK YOU!
Me too, friend. Me too!
Jesus Hold my hand! Kelley praying with you! Thank you for these words Alecia
Thanks, Jamie!
Alecia, I became a little excited when I read you moved to Iowa! I'm deep in the heartland of Iowa here myself. For a split-second I was going to stop reading and comment to figure out how I could find you! 🙂 But I kept reading, and it's clear God has you where He wants you. That's comforting, even when it's uncomfortable. Your story goes perfectly with Psalm 109. Thank you for sharing your some of your life with us here. So encouraging. I'm lifting you in prayer this evening! Blessings!
Alecia, thank you for your encouragement to turn to our God for strength, in the midst of weariness, in the midst of uncertainty and trial. I so appreciate your words and your heart here. I needed this reminder. Also, what a beautiful series, Katie. Thank you both.