 Grapevine at Walled Garden |
This is the grapevine that brought me to tears. I still can't explain it. The moment I saw it, the resignation that had crept into my heart began to dissipate. Perhaps the Lord had heard my cry! Perhaps our time in this beautiful 'wilderness' was coming to an end. I sent Henry the link to Walled Garden. God's timing was perfect...he would be driving down to Kiltarlity for our grandson Paxton's birthday in just a few days. Maybe he and Kate could take a look at "Walled Garden!"
"Mom, I can see you and Dad living there!" Kate was enthused. Henry agreed. We would need to make another trip south when I arrived home from the States.
Soon after I visited Walled Garden I was assailed with doubt. It exceeded my expectations, but I could not explain the sudden, sharp conflict in my heart. Was it a warning from the Lord? Had I hoped in vain? We returned to Orkney and made the decision to put Little Halley on the market anyway. It seemed an irrational decision with nowhere to go! It must have been a step of faith the Lord needed us to take...we needed to walk by faith, and not by sight. The conflict I felt about Walled Garden disappeared when I released Little Halley. Autumn is not a particularly desirable time to list a home, so we expected a window of several months (or more) to prepare for the move. We had two viewings on Tuesday...and two offers by Friday the same week!
Soon after I visited Walled Garden I was assailed with doubt. It exceeded my expectations, but I could not explain the sudden, sharp conflict in my heart. Was it a warning from the Lord? Had I hoped in vain? We returned to Orkney and made the decision to put Little Halley on the market anyway. It seemed an irrational decision with nowhere to go! It must have been a step of faith the Lord needed us to take...we needed to walk by faith, and not by sight. The conflict I felt about Walled Garden disappeared when I released Little Halley. Autumn is not a particularly desirable time to list a home, so we expected a window of several months (or more) to prepare for the move. We had two viewings on Tuesday...and two offers by Friday the same week!
"Who told thee that night would never end in day? Who told thee that the winter of thy discontent would proceed from frost to frost, from snow and ice and hail to deeper snow, and yet more heavy tempest of despair? Knowest thou not that day follows night,
that flood comes after ebb, that spring and summer succeed winter?
Hope thou then! Hope thou ever! For God fails thee not!
"He was better to me than all my hopes;
He was better than all my fears;
He made a bridge of my broken works
And a rainbow of my tears."
that flood comes after ebb, that spring and summer succeed winter?
Hope thou then! Hope thou ever! For God fails thee not!
"He was better to me than all my hopes;
He was better than all my fears;
He made a bridge of my broken works
And a rainbow of my tears."
These words from Streams in the Desert sprang to life for me! First, the name of 'Walled Garden,' which did not seem a coincidence in relation to my book...and now the word 'BRIDGE.' In my book, The King's Garden, Papa builds a bridge to bring His children home. In researching the name of Drumnadrochit, the village we are moving to, I discovered it is Scottish Gaelic, meaning 'The Ridge of the Bridge.'
The Lord has taken my broken works here in Orkney, and shined His light upon them. He has made a rainbow of my tears and is leading us to 'The Ridge of the Bridge' and to "Walled Garden".
The Lord has taken my broken works here in Orkney, and shined His light upon them. He has made a rainbow of my tears and is leading us to 'The Ridge of the Bridge' and to "Walled Garden".
I have repeatedly asked the Lord's forgiveness for my lack of faith these past few years in Orkney...and for the horrible witness I have given. I fell prey to the enemy's oldest lies: "God is not good. Just look at what He has allowed to happen to you! You have been abandoned...and will rot in uselessness for the rest of your days."
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!
I am relearning to trust the Lord and His unfailing promises. Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God! Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God:
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
You who seek the Lord:
Look to the Rock from which you were hewn,
And to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father (who believed God)
And to Sarah who bore you...
For the Lord comforts Zion;
He comforts all her waste places
AND MAKES HER WILDERNESS LIKE EDEN,
Her deserts like the (Walled) Garden of the Lord;
Joy and gladness will be found in her;
Thanksgiving and the voice of song."
(from Isaiah 51)
You who seek the Lord:
Look to the Rock from which you were hewn,
And to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father (who believed God)
And to Sarah who bore you...
For the Lord comforts Zion;
He comforts all her waste places
AND MAKES HER WILDERNESS LIKE EDEN,
Her deserts like the (Walled) Garden of the Lord;
Joy and gladness will be found in her;
Thanksgiving and the voice of song."
(from Isaiah 51)
He is GOOD, and His mercies endure forever.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Soli Deo Gloria!
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