Unexpected Gifts in the Shaking

LoveLetter September 2021

Hi Friends! 

It has been too long since my last letter, and I thought I might have to change the name of my newsletter to “LoveLetter Quarterly.” But instead, I’m going to give this a go again and let’s just say we took a break for summer. 

So much has happened in the world since I last wrote in May. It feels like the whole world is groaning with grief. My heart has been heavy as I think about it all. But I have chosen after a time, not to think about it. Holy Spirit reminds me that taking on the weight of the world is not sustainable, nor is it helpful. So instead, I think about what is mine to carry. As best as I can figure, my job is to pray, to be part of practical solutions, and to be present for my family. So that has been my goal lately.

News on the Homefront

July was all about renovations–we enclosed our porch this summer to create a bright, beautiful get-away room. Now we can enjoy our garden and our A/C. At the same time!

 We also took a short beach trip to New Smyrna Beach. Shane waited until after he took the kids boogie boarding to inform me of New Smyrna’s reputation as the “shark attack capital of the world.” You can google that. And he “only saw one shark” swim by while they were splashing around out there. (!!)

 My kiddos started school in August. I haven’t had this many hours to myself since before Yona was born!  Technically it is a homeschool co-op, but they go 3 days a week and it’s pretty much like school. They are doing great, and I have mixed feelings, but mostly, I’m loving it.

 Last but not least, we officially have Four Laying Hens. We’re gathering eggs over here people! I have always wanted to be a farm girl, and now my dream is coming true. The sheer thrill, seeing four fresh-laid-eggs each morning as I check the nesting box—it never gets old. Taking a dozen fresh-laid-eggs to my neighbor last week was also pretty exhilarating!

A Longing for Simplicity 

To be somewhat serious though (and I feel a little silly sharing this), I looked out the window at my chickens pecking around in the garden the other day, and I started crying. You know a girl cries easily when the sight of chickens brings her to tears! I had to think about why. I think it was because my chickens represent something more. There has been a longing within me for quite some time now, and it has grown over time, for a place and time when life was not like this. The Olden Days. Sigh. I’m sure I’m looking through rose-colored glasses, but I can’t help it!

I know that there have always been challenges in every era, for every generation, and with every way of life. But still, I wrestle with that wishing—that things could be less complicated, more down to earth; that life was less about technology and “information” and polarized perspectives, and more about chickens and gardening and neighbors sharing sugar. Think of how present we could be!

 And yet, God saw fit to deposit us into the Earth during this very time in history. So even though I have let myself acknowledge and feel sadness for what’s been lost, I also remember this: It is not by accident that we are here, now.

Revelation 21:4

My heart longs for simpler days, but I think deep down, it is really a longing for the Promised Land, for a day still to come, when He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

 That day is coming. But right now, there is more to do, more ground to be taken, more books to be written, more music to be played and songs to be sung, more time to be redeemed.

Ephesians 5:15-17

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Word of Encouragement

Disruption

As I pray, I hear the word Disruption. When God wants to get our attention, He allows our world—our safe, secure, status quo—to be disrupted. There is purpose in it, and there is fresh revelation and healing to come. He is building us, and producing good things within us in the midst of it. (Give us ears to hear Your voice and eyes to see You, Lord!) 

 Shift

I also hear the word Shift. He is shifting things…in the natural and in the spirit realm. The shift in the natural may look like a change we were not expecting; a new job; a different living arrangement; a new direction or focus we are prompted to take. In the spirit, we can know that God is moving, and He is at work in all things. When we cannot see what He is doing, it is comforting and gives me courage and hope to know that He is doing something.

Psalm 121:4

Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4).

 Shaking

I also hear the word Shaking. Sometimes when our world gets shaken, it feels like everything is falling apart, and God is allowing it, and that can feel like abandonment.

Hebrews 12:27

Yet we know by His character, that His purpose is to bring life and that He allows the shaking… in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:27). If this feels like something you are going through right now, I hope you will read Promises of God: Stones of Remembrance In The Shaking.

Perspective 

And the last word I hear today in prayer is Perspective. What is God’s Perspective?

Isaiah 55:8

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8).

I believe He is asking us to seek out His perspective. Is there a situation you can think of in your life right now, where you feel like a new perspective (A God-Perspective) may be just what you need?

 Prayer Requests

Please email me with anything you would like me to pray about with you.

 Heart Matters

Here are some reflection questions for this month:

1. Are there any “disruptions” that have got your attention right now? Take time to pray and ask God to give you some specific words that represent what He is building and producing within you. Write or journal about it.

2. Can you identify something in your life (in the natural, seen realm) that is shifting? Could this represent something that is shifting in the spiritual realm? Pray for insight into this and spend some time writing about it. How can you partner with what God is doing through this shift?

3. If you feel like things in your life have been “shaken” take some time to write about it. What do you think God is allowing to be shaken? Ask God to show you what it is that “cannot be shaken” in a way that is personal for you. I pray that He speaks straight from His heart to yours.

From Isaiah 55

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live…

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

 Love,

Chalis