Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Lean on God, not the porch columns. How much the wind was rustling EVERYTHING, and seeing the trees sway is one thing, but as I sat on the porch, on a swing, I saw the porch posts MOVING. WHAT? 

The Lord comes in a whisper, so you must find your quiet in a storm. 

And it took me half an hour before I noticed, I was so focused on my writing and my deep thought that it took me that much quiet time to get quiet. I had just finished my writing about biting my tongue to let God speak His plans. I just laughed at the columns and myself. No wonder it took a quiet moment to notice the slight sway. It the same with the Lord, we have to be quiet to hear His whisper. If I had been swinging on the porch swing, I would have missed it completely. But I was still. I was still and I saw.

Maybe this old section is sinking in the middle even though it was OK for years OR more likely the new addition raised the roof on the opposite side, either way it was WEIRD to see the middle columns dangle from the porch roof. The roof still holds, no worries, but don’t lean against these dangling posts! A reminder: Learn and Lean on God, not your own understanding or depend on earthly things. Depend on God. 

We are supported by the Lord, made and remade. Jesus renews. The wind whipping yesterday in a weather front unfolding was awesome in strength, but I did not feel afraid but in awe. Yes to know that I was OK in the storm was clear as day. The storms of life? God’s got those too. Support from above. 

The Lord IS strong enough to support us in whatever plans He decides we will take. He Holy Spirit moves us and He gives forgiveness as we venture back to Him as our shield against the storm. He holds us in His plans, we should not worry and are told to not be distracted by earthly folly or jolly. Focus on things above. The porch columns are attached above, so can we be.

Lean not on our own understanding. Yes, the Lord will plan our future – IF we let Him. He will correct our future- IF we listen. He has plans and He has promise for us and He has the power to make it all happen. Otherwise we are to remember the meaningless stuff in this world is meaningless (remember Ecclesiastes) and there is a time and season for everything. Our weather seasons change- He doesn’t. 

He makes me sit down on great porches, watch the wind, and take stock. Just like that porch, watch out for the dangling supports that won’t support you, and instead lean on the Lord…

The Lord comes in a whisper, so you must find your quiet in a storm. 

Amen

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1Kings 19: 11-13

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

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“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:2-5

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Proverbs 3: do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…