Shadows...

A common description I hear among teenagers is, "My heart is breaking or I can't take it anymore."  I am reminded of the verse in His Eye Is On The Sparrow ~

 "Why do I feel discouraged?  Why do the shadows come?  

Why does my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home.  

When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He, 

His eye on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

If we are honest, we all feel trapped by the "shadows" and often can't find the strength to pull ourselves together.  Life finds us and envelopes us with all kinds of shadows, oceans and forests.  I guess that's why the imagery of being protected by the Lord's hand, "cleft of the rock" is so powerful.  After reading Francine River's The Sin Eater, this picture became so clear as this little child was "chased" by a predator yet NEVER found.  The cleft of rock made her invisible from the enemy.  God knows exactly when we are facing the Jezebels in our life...when, we are ready to give up and prepare to die.  Elijah, the prophet, felt this exact feeling.  Instead of allowing Elijah to perish, God fed and nourished him in a cave.  He equipped his mental and physical body as strength was gained, in order that He could win bigger battles.

Take courage and feel encouraged that God has not set you up to fail.  He's got bigger plans; ones that will set your feet on mountains that can only be moved with His strength.  The same strength that is made perfect in our weakness.  I will choose to sing...

"I sing because I am happy.  I sing because I am free.  

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."