Reinventing Self

heart issues

Love is pointless if it can't be given in times of hardship and trial. But is there a line between sacrificial love and protecting one self? Or does sacrificial and true know no boundaries? How does one keep her soul true in the midst of hurts, how does she keep loving when all she really wants is to shut down or run away.
Communication is so difficult.
When you know the other doesn't intend or mean to hurt you, how are you to walk in love. Is it enabling negative behaviour to carry on as though it doesn't affect you?

Brick walls and towers

[Meditations on devotional entitled "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst]

Use each craving for a prompt to pray, then

Brick by brick

dismantle the tower and

pave a pathway of prayer

to victory!

<> When I read these words I asked God why he couldn't just take a wrecking ball to my wall/tower ... He said all I would have left is a pile of rubble to deal with. Brick by brick is more thorough, and just watch God make something beautiful out of your mess! He can turn fear into faith, shame into Godly identity, jealousy into love and compassion.

A wise fish will recognize LURES

[Meditations on a devotional book entitled "Made To Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst]

I have been born and raised in a Christian home, and it always amazes me when passages I have read through, and heard preached on at least a dozen times, reveal yet more! So it was in chapter one of this devotional.

1 John 2:16 clearly highlights THREE LURES to tempt us...
"For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but of the world."
1)LUST OF THE FLESH
-craving for sensual gratification (Amplified)
-PHYSICAL NEEDS (Lysa)
2)LUST OF THE EYES
-greedy longings of the mind (Amplified)
-MATERIAL NEEDS OR DESIRES (Lysa)
3)PRIDE OF LIFE
-assurance in own resources, and stability of world (Amp.)
-NEED FOR SIGNIFICANCE (lysa)

Now look at Gen.3:6
Eve
1)Saw tree was good for food (physical need)
2)it was delightful to look at (material desire)
3)desired in order to make one wise (need for significance)
Lysa says "the very downfall of humanity was caused when Eve surrendered to a temptation to eat something she wasn't suppose to eat" - ouch!

Then we look at Matt.4:1-11
Jesus was tempted to:
1)make stones into bread (physical need)
2)have kingdoms of the world (material desire)
3)throw Himself down onto rocks (need for significance)
-proving Himself Son of God
Of course, Jesus did not nibble at the lures.
Makes me think of all the scriptures that talk about the power of Christ in us. He is our example and help to recognize and resist temptation.
'His divine power has given us everything we need for life'
2Peter 1:3-11

1John goes on to say,
"the world is passing away and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Throughout the days that have followed my original reading of this chapter my eyes opened anew to the motives behind thoughts and feelings. It's rather startling - how SO much comes down to these three things.

What are you rich in?

[Meditations on a devotional book entitled "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeust]

In Matthew 19 a rich man comes to Jesus seeking life. Jesus recites the commandments to him and the man says he has kept them all from his youth. Then Jesus tells him to sell all he owns and come and follow Him. The rich man went away sad.
Some may use this to talk about money - but I really like how Lysa articulates it.

"The rich young man then goes away sad because he won't give up the one thing that consumes him. ... Jesus didn't mean this as a sweeping command for everyone who has a lot of money. Jesus meant this for any of us who wallow in whatever abundance we have. I imagine Jesus looked straight into this young man's soul and said, 'I want you to give up the one thing you crave more than me. Then come, follow me.' ... Following Jesus is serious business...'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' "

So what are you rich in,
that you crave more than God,
that causes a wedge between you and your Creator?
I can assure you (and myself!) that denying one self
- choosing not all that is permissable, but only what is beneficial
- picking up that cross and following Jesus
- THAT has rewards far greater than anything else can offer.

Future conversation?

I can imagine my husband coming to me concerned - wondering where the woman he married went. He'd be feeling like he married a pretty mare and now he's wrangling a young, frisky fillie!I think I would say something like:

"I am still the same woman. For nearly 20 years you knew the Ruth that was hid in under the baggage of shame, guilt, fear and failure. Now that is all gone and I am free. Free to love, free to laugh, free to live life to the fullest - the way God intended me to!"

(I slept in this morning and missed my work out with Leona - but just logged 40 minutes on treadmill - going 2.58km and burning 484 calories)

'New' Goal

For over a year now I have had it on my heart to be intentional about visiting people. I have made some good steps - however, each visit has led to a commitment! But it's all good! :)

.... anyway, one such visit led a friend asking if I would like to come work out with her in the mornings. For her, morning meant 5am - her husband often leaves at 3am and that is when her day starts! I told her I would think about it. Two weeks later I called her and said I could - but not till 6-6:30am. So I started to walk over to her place about 6am every Monday , Wednesday and Friday. The first day she asked what my goal was.

I told her that fear prevents me from setting any goal other than trying to be more active and eat right. I had failed so often and did not want to set myself up for failure again.

As a couple weeks progressed, and I watched my son working out at TaiKwonDO, and visited with a mom in the stands that is getting into shape with her husband; courage started to rise.
I am at home with my children at this time - what better time to take the time to work by butt off!?
So I began to journal my eating, tried out a calorie counter on line, and have now 'secretly' chosen to set out to lose this weight that SO encumbers me.

Now I must find work this month for financial reasons - while homeschooling the kids (see earlier blogs for more info) - and a fear rises that it won't happen. But I am determined to be more determined. Even if I don't fully succeed THIS time I will choose to look at it that each attempt will get better and that I am in training for success.

AND, some fall out - a couple times I borrowed some of the videos we use and brought them home and have my kids working out with me - this will continue as long as I can do it!

I'm keeping it simple right now - Working out hard at LEAST 3 times a week, excercising preferrably 6 times a week, taking Sundays off. To eat well - and avoiding the allergy foods that cause me to retain water.

I already feel energy and my muscles and hope. I know losing weight will greatly enhance my life and greatly reduce many of my issues.

So here is to new born hope!

'Older' Women Arise!

Personal struggles are not hard for me to share, or be transparent about, except for when they involve others. I have a struggle ... and it involves loving my husband.

Now before you go and get all 'oooo', 'oh-oh', or even 'I'm with ya sista!';

let me clarify something. My husband is truly a remarkable man. I don't say that lightly. He is my help, my provider, my lover, and the laughter and heart-beat of our home.

But he's not perfect.
WHAT!? Not perfect!? How dare he fall short!

(Yes, that is dripping with sarcasm!)

I know my thoughts and reactions to things are not good, healthy or productive. I sway between angry frustration, numb robotic action, and heart-wrenching tears of hopelessness. NOT exactly how I'd like to be defined! As I search my heart and ask God for help in knowing how to better deal with the issues within my marriage a thought has been crossing my mind ...

'Let the older women teach the younger

how to love their husbands'

... where have I heard that ... oh yes, Titus 2...
But wait a minute, you mean loving my husband isn't a natural out pouring!?

Afraid not girls, not 24-7 anyway, not in these mortal bodies.

Not only do each of us have issues, we each have our own way of doing things that can simply irritate others - not because its wrong or bad, but just because its different.

In ideal times we can choose to give grace and love people, to laugh at the idiosyncrasies, and to choose to embrace the variety and uniqueness of lives. However, life is not always ideal.

Love, true love, should be unconditional. And love, not nagging, brings out the best in people! What is it that makes me struggle to love my husband?
...
I started this blog while in the midst of a highly electrifying and strained emotional state, but thankfully, as I worked on writing out my heart what I wrote transformed into something new.

...

I have been blessed with many 'older women' teachers in my life,

my sister being the most influential...

Lessons from my sister: MY 'older woman' mentor

1)Selfishness
The lessons against selfishness have been a life long example my sister has lived out.

One particular occasion we were all home, she had her usual busy day with a lot of little children, it was getting late, she had been running up and down the stairs trying to get the kids settled in, and on one of her runs back up the stairs - in midst of an obvious task - my husband asked her to get him a pop from downstairs!

You know what, she spun on her heel, went back down, got him a drink, brought it back up to him and carried on without a glimmer of a sigh! I saw her do things like this multiple times - be very quick to put aside whatever her busyness was in order to serve another - even if the other was just sitting around!

I recall, when I was still in school, and we went to visit her family. I was in one of my 'awe moments' of her (I often feel like I will pop with love and respect for my family!), I listed several things that I saw in her and concluded by saying that the crown SHE would receive from Jesus was going to be mighty big! Without a moment's hesitation or pride or blushed humility, with a simple state of fact, she turned to me and laughed and said it didn't matter, she was just going to lay it at Jesus' feet anyway!

Scriptures are very clear that we need to have a servants heart, and esteem others better than ourselves.

If each of us are only watching out for ourselves, then we are the only ones upholding ourselves.

However, if each of us are watching out for others more than ourselves, then we each have many others upholding us!

(follow that!?)

So in marriage? If I am so busy with concerning myself about MY wants, MY dreams, MY needs, MY rights ... and my husband HIS ... then we are not a unified body, we are not two becoming one. Marriage is a picture of our union with Christ - the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, laying His life down for her ... and the wife is to love and respect her husband as the church does Christ. If I fight for the head position - who will be the heart!?

Selfishness needs to go!

2)Defensiveness
I often recall a fight my husband and I had many years ago, it was a doozy. I called my sister and poured out my heart to her. She patiently waited for me to finish and then said, 'You have every right to be upset Ruth, your emotions are justifiable. But what does God say?'

As my big sister her flesh wanted to run to my defense, but she is not flesh led, but rather Spirit led. The lesson I learned that day is that if I defend myself, God cannot.

If I have done something wrong I need to do all I can to make it right, but if I have sincerely searched my heart and did nothing wrong, then I need to let go and let God deal with it. What I did wrong that day was to get defensive.

-If I am dead to myself and esteeming the other better than myself, then I should be able to hear critism and humbly accept the growth. Even if the issue is very minor and the way I was doing something wasn't necessarily wrong, why get defensive or upset about it!? Why NOT try something a new way?!

-If your loved one is acting in a way that 'just isn't like him' - it's probably a spiritual battle or other issue in his life that you may be unaware of. Trying to change it, battling it out with our flesh, or trying to defend ourselves will only escalate the issues - instead it's time to get on our knees ladies!
-If I am confident in who I am in Christ there is no need to be defensive in any area.
-Getting defensive, I have found, is a major cause of conflict in my home.

AND I am convicted that it is also a sign post to me that I am walking in my flesh and not the Spirit.

3) Expectations
As long as our expectations are on man we will be let down. My sister can share many stories, but I will share the one that was the most blatant to me. She was feeling unloved and unappreciated. She went to God in prayer and He asked her 'what do you want Becky!?', off the top of her head she said she wanted for her husband to call her Sunshine. He had never called her that, she wasn't sure why that popped in her head, and now she wondered if she should tell him what she wanted or not ... after all, how will he know otherwise - but then it won't come from his heart .... she surrendered it to Jesus and went about her business. Then, as she was carrying laundry from upstairs to the downstairs, and as she passed through the living room her husband casually said, "Hey Sunshine!". She proceeded downstairs and cried! It was like God Himself called her that - which, I think, He did! Interesting enough, her husband had never called her that before - nor since! God moved her husband to demonstrate in a very tangible way that she IS loved and appreciated!

God knows our needs, and He knows that people can't fulfill our every need

- but He can!

If my expectation - and therefore eyes - are on HIM, and I pour my heart out to HIM, then He fulfills those needs. Perhaps not through the method WE expect - but it always turns out that He DOES know better than us!

4)Power of Prayer and Submission

Both my sister and I have experienced first hand how much more thorough, true, and complete things are accomplished when we pray for our husbands rather than 'nag'. On occasion God will 'give a word for due season' for us to express ourselves to them. It's not that we can't discuss things with our men. But the main idea is that if there is something bothering us, rather than 'lose it' on the poor guy, take it to God in prayer. Sometimes God changes them, and sometimes it's us that needs to change perspective or behavior! One thing I love about this is that when I have seen the changes in my husband I KNOW that they are sincere and complete in him, and not an external attempt to appease me!

I have included submission with prayer because of a great example ... from my sister :) . She NEVER goes anywhere by herself, since she has had children she has been a stay at home mom. The ONLY time her and her husband have 'gone away' has been for the home schooling conference - and even then she often had a nursing baby or a teen with them. Also the once when she went to Mexico with Mark for cancer treatments. But before her cancer, she had asked Mark about watching the kids so she could go to the city for the day by herself to buy gifts as it was very difficult to do so with them there. He flatly told her no!

She was hurt and angry - but no one knew because she took it to God in prayer. She went ahead and ordered things from the catalogues and did the best to do her shopping, she would admit later that she was struggling with a bit of bitterness. BUT, the Saturday that she had wanted to go to the city to do all the shopping? Turns out that that Friday herself and a couple of her kids got very sick to their stomaches and were sick all weekend. IF she had rebelled and said 'Forget this! Parent up buddy!' and had held off to buy gifts until she went - NO Christmas gifts would have been boughten in time for Christmas! Think God knew?!

I too, encouraged by my sister's example and testimonies, have now experienced the blessing of submitting to my husband as unto God.

The word submission puts a bad taste in most people's mouths today. They see it as slavery, as being used as a door mat, as treacherous dictatorships. But that is NOT the submission God talks about! Do we or do we not trust God?

Many parents have their children jump into their arms - and the first couple times, for many children, it can be very scary - jumping out into nothingness, hoping mom or dad will catch them. But after they DO take that leap of faith they enjoy it so much they want to do it over and over again! So it is with God. It becomes exhilerating to be faced with a frustration or concern, and then to take that leap of faith in God, submitting to His principles, and seeing the cool stuff He can pull off and the disasters He saves us from!

Current issues?

I have dreams of how I envision my family life to be...

I want to be upbeat, ready to give a word of life and encouragement, having a positive attitude in all things, to be known as a solution seeker, not a problem pounder.

I would like my family life to be marked by laughter, sprinkled with times of intimate tears and deep conversation, all infused with the life flow of the Holy Spirit.

I would like my home to be that place that you always want to be because you know that, regardless of what is going on in your life, you will be loved, encouraged, built up and you will be better for being here.

I would like us to be a family that truly lays down our lives for others - even little things like giving up a room for free to a man who is coming into town and needs place to stay.

I expect myself to be a mature Christian woman who is secure in who she is in Christ, that is well on her way to being that older woman who can, in turn, give wise counsel to others.

But then negative words fly, bad attitudes saturate the air, a condescending and/or critical spirit rears its ugly head to tear apart my family - and what do I do? React. I should respond, but I react. And more negative attitudes and thoughts swarm in my home and heart.

My expectations and dreams not being fulfilled I react and even begrudge! How ridiculous!
If I myself, will not learn to renew my mind and respond maturely, how in the world can I expect others to do so!?

-My husband continually shows love to me in the most intimate and affectionate ways he knows (and I have come to realize how much I really need that). Yet, I don't respond because I FEEL like, sprinkled in between each of those moments, are critiques or condescension. So when he comes up behind me and says I'm the best - I struggle to assimulate the two perceptions.

-Sometimes he is treating me very lovingly, but the way he is speaking to our children, or reacts to an issue I bring up - like finances, frustrates me greatly and is not the way I think it should be. Then when he turns to me with some loving comment I struggle to respond appropriately.

-Sometimes he simply states something, and my insecurity, or dream of being utterly loved and looked up to by my husband, causes me to take "the floor sure needs to be washed" as "you are so lazy" ... either that or 'you are a terrible mother who doesn't know how to train her children in chores"!

-Sometimes his tone is condescending or critical, but I'm sure we have all had our days that strain on us and we end up using a tone we don't intend. These are the times when a quiet answer can turn away wrath, and totally diffuse the situation! (And if this is a spiritual stronghold, I would much rather deal with it on my knees, then allow it to fall to my children to deal with!)

-When I focus on the things that irritate me and think of the negatives, a disrespect grows in me and I will confess I even begin thinking of ways to get out of the marriage - or the flip happens and I feel so completely hopeless and like an utter failure and think it best for me to go away - one way or another.

Neither of these are from above, or productive to anyones interests!

However, when I keep my eyes on Jesus, and focus on the facts - the positive things about my husband, that he doesn't intend to hurt me, but loves me - then I can better respond to each situation. Not perfectly mind you, some days I have a running conversation with God - that I wouldn't want others to hear! But He is faithful to help me when I rely on, depend on and trust in Him.

And you know what else? If my husband wasn't the kind of man he is I would probably be a total push over as a mom. And my home may be set up the way I like better, but it could also be much dirtier! Maybe he does need to learn things ( in which I know God is already dealing with!) but I have just as many, if not more to learn!

As a couple we need to magnify each other's strengths, being humble enough to learn from them.
And then diminish each other's weaknesses to others, while encouraging and supporting them in those things.
Then the two work together as one complete unit and beauty comes.

So - 'older women' arise! Let us encourage one another in what is right and good, transforming our minds by the power of His Spirit - and see our homes transformed to raise the next generation!

Where lies your hope?

As the pages of life turn a truth rings true to me, that nothing is truly secure in this world, nothing is sure.

I recently rewatched 'Cinderella Man' with my children, a movie based on the true life of Jimmy Raddock, a boxer who inspired a nation during the Great Depression of the 1930's. He comments to a friend that he had stocks in a taxi company - figured a cab company in New York would be gravy for his grand kids.

I recently talked with a friend who has worked for a bank for years, during this last little slump a couple years ago her 'sure' pension was cut by a third.

I think back to when my husband worked for a mill, a big company, a 'sure' cheque coming in biweekly. 'Sure', that is, until a hap meeting happens away from home and you hear from others, from another town, that pink slips will be handed out that week.

I consider the choices before me. I think of the 'should'ves' like 'I should have gotten my nursing or teaching certification before I had kids'. I think 'if only I had a job that gave us benefits, pension and insurance', I think 'I wish financial and business sense came easier to me'.
Then I think about what I'm thinking about.

Being a good steward is important, learning and growing should be a life long journey, seeking wisdom, understanding and counsel is wise. However, in the long run, our trust and hope cannot be in these things. I cannot rest in the belief that because I have insurance nothing can destroy me, or that because I have pensions and investments that I will have a comfortable retirement. Or that because I live in a blessed country that it will always be able to support those who can't support themselves, or that I will always be able to find a job to at least put milk on the table.

So, although I do seek to wisely live my life with my husband and family, where DO I put my trust and hope?

Solomon, a King that I have been told is the richest and wisest King in history, wrote a book called Ecclesiates. He carries on describing all the achievements he had, but concluded that in the end they were all but 'chasing after the wind' and 'meaningless'. He says, 'When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.' (Ecc.7:14)

I don't know what the future holds - but I DO know Who holds the future.

In the wise book of Proverbs - some of which Solomon wrote - we are assured that, 'There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.' (Prov.23:18)

Jeremiah quotes our Creator as saying, "For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jer.29:11)

And Paul stands firm when he said, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:38-39)

I have chosen to put my life into the hands of the One Who created it.
He spoke everything into existence, from the tiniest specks in a DNA strand to the outermost parts of space that we cannot even fathom. Then He knelt down, took the dirt of the speck called earth, formed a male and breathed life into him - making a spiritual being that could have fellowship with Him. He formed a a female from the rib of the male, designing two distinct beings, that when brought together could make one - designing a beautiful picture of our union with Him, and a powerful spiritual force when in unity. He has woven a tapestry of time, types, pictures; and a tapestry of love and grace. Ephesians says, "He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."

We really make our Creator much too small.
He uses analogies in His inspired scriptures like He being a Father and we His children, and He the husband and we the bride. He does this to help our minds wrap around it with a minut bit of understanding. Do you know science has discovered that we have roughly 3 million years worth of memory space in computers - called the human mind? Do you know we have only begun to scratch the surface of how infinitely tiny we can go - or to how infinitely vast space spreads?

From Jesus' conception to His death He fulfilled all the prophesies of the Messiah. He is a historical fact; and by His grace to me, through all my questioning and doubting, has graciously bestowed on me faith to believe and drawn me to Himself. He is God, He was there in Genesis when He said "Let US make man in our own image, male and female...". Yet He humbled Himself, gave up all His entitlements (which our society wreaks of today), took on the form of man, and sacrificed Himself that we may be with Him.

To say my hope and trust is in God can sound so canned and religious.
I am straining to share my heart ... how short my articulation falls!

- I had a terrible allergy for 5 years, was prayed over and saw multiple specialists. But God's timing is perfect and He wove beauty out of my pain.
- I had our first baby before we had 'planned'. But God knew we would need the extra incentive to fight for our marriage.
- I wasn't expecting to decide to move to my mom and dad's and be gone within two weeks. But God knew my daughter would be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and that I would need the support of my mom and and UofA team. But God knew that we would want to be closer to Roger's mom as she was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and passed away. But God knew the blessing it would be for my children and I to build a relationship with their Great Grandma.
- I wasn't expecting to find myself unemployed in October and both of my husband's legs taken from under him. But God knew.

He knew back in 1973 (and truth be told, before the foundations of the earth! :) ) that I would make decisions that have lead me to the place I am today.
AND
He knows where my loved ones and I will be next week, next year, and twenty years from now.
He knows when He will call my children's hearts to His.
He knows what will happen to the economy.
He knows what dangers lerk around the next bend, and where all the gold and silver is that He created.

So please know,

I am not trying to give a canned answer,

nor a religious one,

but a faith infused,

grace grown

belief statement,

that my hope lies in my Jesus ...

Lord of all, the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Waiting

In the fall of last year circumstances occurred that were out of our control. A decision made by those in authority over me, and a very rare injury that took my husband's legs for a solid 14+ weeks, placed my entire family at home. Finances stopped, but thankfully, the blessings from friends and family has carried us through; and until recently I experienced that peace that passes understanding and an excitement for this new chapter God was bringing us into.

Now my husband's legs are progressing, he'll be starting physio very soon, and is building up to be back to work full time. The decision for us to homeschool was for an undetermined amount of time, and now we face a lot of difficult decisions. I know God's timing is perfect and that He's never late - and although I know the fact that He's never early only strengthens my faith, that doesn't make me necessarily enjoy the wait!

I have poured my heart out in my journal, within which I list off all the dreams within my heart. It is important to goal set, dream, and affirm where you are going. Although what we do and where we go matter, it is much more vital who we are and are becoming. My heart's desire and longing is to hear my Creator's Voice, I am willing to take any leap of faith - if I know He's in it.

So I have my days when I feel like a hamster in a wheel as I juggle all the pros and cons of our many decisions, looking for open or closed doors, searching my heart for where His peace is leading ... then exhausted, I fall back into His arms.
I think I strive and stress during these times because I fear missing the mark. I have a sense of urgency that time is short, particularily with my children and don't want to waste a day, then day to day stuff happens and time continues to slip through my fingers. I am acutely aware of my shortcomings, only enhancing the lie that I have failed and will continue to fail. But fear is contrary to faith, and I am choosing to forget what is behind and to press toward the mark that God has called me.

I believe God will open doors for us, and we will one day look back on this time and see His fingerprints all over it. I know this to be true because I have experienced it before in other circumstances, and witnessed it in other's lives. So while I am in this waiting room I will choose not to give way to fearful, stressful decision making. I will renew my mind daily, seeking out my Abba like a child playing hide and seek with daddy, and follow His leading in any preparation that is needed for what, only He knows, is coming.


Are you waiting? Here are some encouraging words from scripture:
Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways
(Ps.37:7-8a)

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:6-7)

Those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall rise up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not grow weary,
walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord to wait!
(Is.40:30)

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits ...
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
(Ps 103:2,5)

In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
(Ex.15:13)

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
(Is.42:16)