This time last year I was depressed…in every area I needed healing and rest~physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

So much had happened that I questioned my purpose, God’s plan, God…

I hurt.

And He didn’t stop the pain.

All my devotional notes speak to this~

I write in the margins of my books and Bibles with the dates so I can remember where I have come from as the years go by: these jottings are a poignant reminder of what has happened and when.

It has not been very long since I have walked up and out of that valley (in fact, I may still be reaching toward those final rocks to pull myself out of the ravine)…my memories are fresh, the scars are still visible, and the wounds feel like an old bruise…

But I am not in the valley anymore.

I can see the strength and growth that I gained as I kept putting one foot in front of the other…Moving forward in trust that I would make it and I could endure it.

Today, as I journal, I write that I am now HOPEFULLY EXPECTANT.

I can see purpose forming from my pain.

That keeps me pressing on.

Psalm 12:5

SING PRAISES TO THE LORD FOR HE HAS DONE EXCELLENT AND GLORIOUS THINGS; LET THIS BE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE EARTH.

Amen to that truth.
I will sing of His glory!

I praise you because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. I know this very well.

You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother’s body. When I was put together there, You saw my body as it was formed

~ Psalm 139: 13-15 (NCV)

Those are hard words to say when there are days I don’t like what I see in a mirror or I don’t like how I feel due to an illness.

But they are true…I was knit together with a plan and purpose in my mind.

I was not a mistake.

You are not a mistake.

The Potter knows very well what He is doing with His clay.

Trust Him.

Press on.

H.ang

O.n

P.ain

E.ends