Prayer for the Cacophony Prone

So I had this amazing prayer session of sorts the other day. I felt God was impressing upon me the need to loosen my grip on sadness and replace it by embracing the joy of this season; To intentionally consider and embrace the joy set before me each time I hold a puppy.

In Isaiah, He tells me to “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Did you know that the word dismayed means a crumbling of courage? I was reminded that I can do hard things because I do them with Jesus who offers me His courage when mine crumbles.

I ended up feeling encouraged, strong and confident. And then I got home.

When I got home, it was a scene of cacophony and mayhem. The pups all had mutinied and had covered themselves and the floor with every imaginable chaotic omnishambling. If that weren’t enough to take me out, I then found that my 16-year-old kitty had passed in a distressing position. My heart, which was so full of promise and courage, began to instantly crumble.

The scene required immense, immediate cleanup and exertion, both emotional and physical. To compound my own internal disarray, my unrelenting, stinging, shingles rash appeared.

All I could do was to cling to the promises of God that came in my prayer session. I repeated them over and over again as I mopped, swept, wiped, buried and mourned.
I focused on the joy set before me…all the little joys set before me at my feet because, even covered in poop, they bring light to my world and shining grace.

It was all really quite amazing. I am invited to serve my extraordinary God Who uses connection with Him to prepare me for what’s coming. He provides all that I do need and all I will need. I CAN do hard things when I do them with Jesus as my focus.

He does accomplish all that concerns me today and every day. Hallelujah! It is a Merry Christ-mas.

CAnnecophony prone,
December, 2023