Change

For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)

I'm walking through a season of change.  I surely don't recall asking for it.  In fact, I was quite content.  Settling into the simple life that I had finally become content.

I awoke yesterday morning to find myself in a peculiar place.

A place that I no longer feel comfortable.  

The familiar seems distant.  

Unrecognizable.

The common everyday that I've known for so long is suddenly unraveled.

A misfit.

I'm in a foreign place.  

Unsettled.  

Uncomfortable.

Completely unexpected.

Lonely.

BUT GOD....  

In times like this I have learned the only solace I can find is in clinging to His truth: 

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. (Psalm 37:4-5)

Because I know Him, I will trust Him as He guides my steps.

Yes, I am a bit nervous.

Unsure of where He is leading me.

A little shaky as I take each step.

But, because I know Him, I will trust Him.

I. will. be. undaunted. 

Chosen

My name is Debbie Henderson…I am chosen.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other (John 15:16-17)

Chosen to walk alongside that hurting wife who is so ready to give up on a twenty plus year marriage because the pain is greater than the joy.

Chosen to spend time with a family that is walking through a dark place that is seeking God’s direction, unsure of what to do. Chosen to listen to the couple that clashes almost daily in anger and frustration, but they are desperate to save their marriage.

Chosen to have coffee and chat with a single mom who’s faithfully seeking after Jesus to break generational sins in her family and make better choices.

Chosen to be an example for my own daughters, to keep going despite my own challenges and struggles. Chosen to be the Grandma my seven grandchildren need.

Chosen, to produce lasting fruit by planting seed in the lives of the amazing people God has allowed me to meet.

Chosen to be a light in a dark place.

Chosen to encourage, chosen to listen, chosen to lead, chosen to follow.

Chosen…not just when everything in my own life is going well, but especially when it is not…

I’m not always true to my calling…sometimes I even forget I am chosen....but He never forgets me. And I know that He that chose me is ALWAYS true to me, is ALWAYS faithful and never, never, never forgets.

You see, His word reminds me that there is purpose in being chosen. Chosen to do life with others.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Won't you take a minute today to look around. You see, you too have been chosen. Who has He chosen for you to walk alongside? Could it be your neighbor that you only wave to in your comings and goings? How about your mom who won't admit she's lonely because she doesn't want to burden you? Perhaps it's your sister, the one that you don't really understand but aches for your company and reassurance that family is still important. Or your brother, the one that seems so distant, hard to talk to, difficult to reach. Possibly it's the coworker in the cubicle beside you. It could be the friend you haven't talked with in years. Or…just maybe...it’s me.