Wing-shadow singing.

"My plan for your life is unfolding before you. Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slow that you must hold yourself back. Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears--through no effort of your own. What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift. You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse My Power and  My Glory.

Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strenth to sustain you, expect to see miracles--and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My Glory."

- Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Does anyone read "Jesus Calling?"

I think a lot of us do.

Sarah Jane texted me this morning to ask if I'd read it today. So, in full-basking mode of Christmas Break 2011: Day 1, I rolled out of bed, brewed a big 'ole pot of vanilla flavored coffee, and perched beside a rainy Atlanta window-scape.

"...the way before you suddenly clears--through no effort of your own."

Hm.

As an update, I'm still joyfully chillin' in advent season over here. Your comments and emails are always so timely--I read them all. I'm encouraged that there are other sisters walking the same path, and I would venture to say that you'd agree with me when I say what we learn during advent times trumps all.

We live by faith, not by sight, right? If that's true, I don't need to have all gifts and wonders in front of my eyes 24/7 to have life. Faith? Faith is enough. Faith is enough for us. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of things we do not see" (Heb. 11.1). Let me repeat: Certain of things we do not see. Certain of things you do not see. Just the faith that He's done it before, and He'll do it again.

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings."

- Psalm 63.7

And wing-shadow-singing season is definitely all that it's cracked up to be. Sisters (and brothers? I think there are a few of y'all), would you second that? 

Still warming a seat at the oak bar table with four chairs and one bench that I purchased with no help from my dear mother and father (It's my first apt. Let me have my small victories.), I flipped over to John 11.40:

"Did I not tell you that if you believed 
you would see the glory of GOD?"

Ba. Ha. Ha. Sometimes, I think God widens His eyes and raises His eyebrows and looks at me dead in the eyeballs he crafted Himself. "Did I not tell you, Ashlyn? My daughter, ha, I am in the process of showing you Who I Am! I've written you love letter after love letter telling you that you are my child and that if you have faith in Me, you'll see My Glory. One day in full, but for now I must unpack it slowly since you're still limited to this human form. But girl--I told you so. I told you that I'd show you my Love."

You did, didn't You, God? 

Certain of things we do not see. And in the meantime? We sing in the shadow of the most loving, protective, caring wings in the whole-wide-infinity-universal-of-universes wings ever made. And goodness knows I sho' love to sing.

This is the kind of stuff that makes my heart race.  And want to type things like this: !!!!!!!!!

La-la-la-la. :)