Beauty in the Midst of Difficulty . . .

Isn't it interesting how one moment it can be storming like crazy outside and then in the next you'll see this :

I took these pics back at the end of May after a wild spring of rainy weather. It so reminds me of God's faithfulness. Yes storms come, but so does the beauty of the rainbow sometimes right in the midst of the storm. They'll be a break for the sun to shine briefly and then you look up and there is a rainbow. It truly is an amazing work of God's painting.

To me one of the most beautiful things about a rainbow is the promise behind it. That God will never again destroy the earth due to flood. In the midst of my storm it is so good to remember that God is for me and He will sustain me!!

I wanted to share our VOTD with you, again out of The Message. Have I expressed my sincere joy and love over finding this version of the Bible? I heart The Message ~~ oh yes I Do!!

I Peter 4:11-12: "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."

Can I get a witness?!? Amen and Amen Peter. Isn't it great that Peter wrote this. Listen if anyone knew difficult situations it was Peter, but if anyone was ever in the "very thick" of all things Christ it would be, again Peter. His life speaks volumes to me. He was brash and overbearing. A leader yes; a guy that acted first and thought later, just ask Malchus.

Peter had issues with pride, but in the end would be used mightily by God. He would deny Christ and yet would go on to glorify and honor Him with his life and in death. Peter was a beautiful contradiction in terms, but he was who he was and God used every contradiction, because Simon - Peter was sold out.

When Peter denied ever even knowing Christ he was in a "spiritual refining process", and glory was just around the corner. When Peter was about to be martyred for his faith, he was in "a spiritual refining process." As he watched his wife be crucified just before he was, as he was saying to her "remember thou the Lord" he was being refined. And then as he himself was crucified upside down, he was being refined, but oh the glory that was "just around the corner" for Peter. He is with my Jesus today ~~ OH THE GLORY!! ~~

Let me encourage you today, there are many out in the blog world today going through some stuff, being refined right now today, but know that God loves you so much dear one. He is so in the midst of this process and He is on the job, OH YES HE IS!!!! He never slumbers nor sleeps ~~ And oh yes we can be VERY glad that we are in the "very thick" of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Remember dear one you're being refined right now, but OH THE GLORY THAT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!!!!

There is so much going on in my own life right now that this glory around the corner gives me so much hope. There is truly beauty in the midst of difficulty if your life is in Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you dear ones. I'm praying for so many of you for: healing, job situations, babies, peace etc. Know that I love you all so much and doing life together helps me to see the rainbow!!

Love and joy to you all today,

Dawn