After a few months of completely disrupted daily routine, this Monday morning I heard an almost audible "Ok, lets get back to normal" and I knew that this day needed to start straightaway with a Word to feed my soul and some quiet time to pray and reflect. That's not to say that these things haven't occurred during the past few months, but they were undisciplined, interrupted and discombobulated and less effective because of it.
I decided to start by reading a devotional online. It was heavy and landed in an uncomfortable place in me and I had a quick thought to just close it and find something else. Another thought quickly followed suggesting that I pray instead and talk with God about my discomfort. I felt clear that what I was hearing back was that I should push on through with the reading, but to focus my attention on just me and my relationship with God...no other people, no other situations. When the scope of what I perceive to be my responsibility is beyond what is truly mine to manage, my attention gets scattered and unruly. So I tightened that focus down to just me and Him it felt more manageable. And, I read on.
I was really hoping for an energized return to my spiritual routine, but it felt like it was falling flat. The reading was good but nothing slapped me around or shook me. The reading finished up with a prayer, and at nearly the end of the paragraph I read "...and today I lay claim to the power of restoration!" I knew that this was what the whole reading was for.
This was the word I needed today.
Restoration.
Restoration: The action of returning something to it's former owner, place or condition. To return to an original state after depletion or loss.
My mind began to swirl with all the things which have been out of order and completely disrupted and out of my control and beyond my ability to respond to in the past several months. These things the Enemy of my soul has stalked me with, and accused me of and has used to create dis-ease within me. And the thought of restoration and renewal was a fresh, cool breeze.
Biblically, when restoration occurs it is always in abundance. When something or someone is restored, it is always better than it was to begin with. God's promise to us is a better way, a better life, a better future for ourselves and our loved ones.
"...and today I lay claim to the power of restoration!"
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
Thank you❤️