Good morning.
I thought I’d be sharing with you today the continuation of yesterday’s post about the push and pull of technology, but I’m not. I expect to be back with that tomorrow, sharing words from a comedian that I haven’t been able to shake.
This morning, in the few minutes before I wake my girls for the day, I want to tell you the truth of my right here.
My strength feels small. I feel small.
And while it seems a bit scary to say so, I know I must remember my size. It is the only way I can stay right here, receive What Is Right Here, so that I can move in the world with something authentic to offer.
I must continually seek Love that is bigger than mine, remember Strength that does not wane with sleeplessness, sorrow or schedule, hunger for Peace that digs deep and puts down roots.
I must continually recall that even though I sometimes want to, I cannot do this life in my own strength.
Today, I’m walking with a close sister in devastating pain and believing she will dance. (Oh, yes she will.) This week, I’m counting broken and hurting places in me and seeing God’s covering when I could not fashion clothes for myself. I’m thinking of you and your search for home, for healing, for significance, for life.
And so today, I share these everlasting words that remind us of the small us, the Great Eternal and the hope even here:
To you, O Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me;
O Lord, be my help.
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and
clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not
be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you
thanks forever.
Psalm 30:8-12
Yes, may we know dancing, joy and a voice to proclaim it. Amen.
_______
This is Day 23 of Right Here. Throughout October, I’m joining with a community of bloggers (linking up with The Nester) — all of whom are writing each day of the month about a topic of their choosing. To find all posts in 31 Days of Right Here, click here, or see the listing below.
To continue receiving these daily words, subscribe to this blog on the sidebar at left, click here to Like Draw Near on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @AshleyMLarkin. I am immensely grateful to share the journey with you.
POSTS IN THE SERIES
An introduction: Welcome to 31 Days of Right Here
Day 1: For You, Too
Day 2: Fear’s Invitation
Day 3: My Portion
Day 4: Five Minute Friday – Write
Day 5: Rise and Shine
Day 6: My Joys Mount As Do the Birds
Day 7: A Mother’s Fierce Love
Day 8: When Life’s A Mad Rush – How To Slow Time
Day 9: The Fight For Right Here Told Through Two Tales of Epic Whining (Part I)
Day 10: The Fight For Right Here Told Through Two Tales of Epic Whining (Part II)
Day 11: Five Minute Friday: Ordinary
Day 12: When Right Here’s A Mess
Day 13: O God, We Thank You
Day 14: The Date That Almost Wasn’t
Day 15: One Thing That Makes Us Human
Day 16: That We Might See And Remember
Day 17: In Which I Hit A Wall
Day 18: Five Minute Friday: Laundry
Day 19: When You Can’t Hold All The Moments
Day 20: Let Me Walk In Beauty
Day 21: Tend This Seed
Day 22: Just One More Click Away
Day 23: A Reset
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
![Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: "And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart." The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e35/17934124_1877271335863004_8139172358331039744_n.jpg "Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: \"And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart.\" The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!")
I love what Mother Teresa said, Ashley – “We can do small things, with great love.” Being small, as we all are, or feeling desperately small as we do sometimes, seems to so suit us for little acts, or little days, lived with that big Love,
blessings today on my dear small girl with her big heart. may there be dancing. xo
That is one of my favorite quotes of all time. I love the parallel you make between the smallness of people and our acts. So true. Thanks for prayers for dancing! Yes, there will be.
hi friend. I needed these words of truth this morning. I am feeling small in my overwhelming chaotic household and schedule. “O lord help me” these are my words that I am whispering to MY GOD of order and perfection. help me. your little speck of dust needs your help. thanks ash. love & miss you……wish we could crazy dance today together :)
So grateful he is the God (and our God) of order and perfection. But I must disagree, honey, you are so much more than a speck of dust, though that did make me smile. And crazy dancing — oh, girl, it is so on. :-)
Dear Ashley
Our Pappa has a way of turning our mourning into dancing and to draw strength out of our weakness. All we need to do is to come to Him just as we are, knowing that He cares for us more than we can fathom!
Blessings XX
Mia
I know this isn’t Scripture but we could call it a paraphrase : When we are small, He is big. I have a twin Ashley. She went through a devastating time in her life several years ago. I walked through with her as best I could. I praying for both of you and for God to show up big.
Thank you, dear Dea. Your paraphrase makes me think of his promise to be power in our weakness, the truth that when we are weak, then we are strong. Knowing the closeness of twins, through my stepsisters, I can only imagine how painful that was to journey with her through that time. I appreciate your encouragement and prayers.
Ashley, I’m so thankful for your words today. I keep telling the Lord and my husband these days that I feel so fragile. SO fragile. It scares me sometimes–and it’s so weird because I am generally one of the most upbeat, together people I know. But He’s doing something in me in this deepened awareness of my smallness and I so need to tune in to it. Your words are helping me do that. Thanks friend.
Dana, thank you for your honest comment. I’ve come to believe it is good to be weak….so much better than I ever imagined. God gives us his strength in amazing ways, but I often think when I am fragile, I am actually closer to where God wants me. Speaking for myself, my togetherness is usually more about my performance and desire to do well than it is about my true heart condition/heart of love. I am praying for you, that you would continue to know the good of your smallness and of your loved-ness regardless how messy you feel. Once again, a gift to see you here.
Ashley –
Isn’t he the amazing God of completion? He shows up when we can’t – we’re small, he’s big; we’re weak, he’s strong; we’re tired, he’s longsuffering. Over and over again he turns our mourning into dancing! You picture made me long for my family out there. Missing them today…tomorrow my granddaughter turns 1 and I won’t be there. But then there’s Skype :-) Praying for you and your sis.
Hugs,
Kelly
Your words are beautiful prayer, dear Kelly.
yes, my sister, yes. Thank you for speaking so clearly about the truth, the raw truth and helping us (me) remember how good it feels to be small.
God is near to the humble, the broken…yes, the small…He sees you and loves you BIG, friend.