How high, How deep, How far....

Isaiah 43: 1.But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
2.When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
3.For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, Cush." and Seba as a ransom for your freedom.
4.Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.
5."Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west
6.and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth.
7.All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them." (NLT)

I do not know where you are today, but if you sometimes doubt like I do, that God isn't there when you are down, trust in Him . One of my favorite things to say in times like these is, "God doesn't want me to wait for the storms of life to end, He wants me to dance in the rain." It isn't always what I do, but I really try. God has been so good to us and I just have to praise Him and trust in Him.

I am reminded of a campfire today when I write this. At the ladies retreat, they had a campfire for us. As I was sitting there being warmed by the fire I had to stop and think about my life for a moment. Sometimes, when we are "in the fire" we are so consumed by the part that is in the fire that we neglect the parts that aren't...and they get cold. It is my prayer that God will reveal any "cold" parts and perhaps turn them toward the fire for a while because I know like the verse says, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you" I love that!! It makes difficult times somewhat easier to know that He is there...He loves us that much.