I gave my blog a new name today. The Beautiful Meantime. We are right on the edge of a new season, so it feels fitting to give this record of our lives a new title.
Why the Beautiful Meantime?
I am finding that the longer I know the Lord, the more I long for His return. Sometimes, when I am discouraged by sin, or overwhelmed by all the suffering in the world, or when He has felt particularly near...I get this feeling...a feeling that can only be described as homesickness.
So we, Followers of Jesus, we wait. Patiently, but eagerly.
And that is not to say that we just sit idly by. No...there is work to do. Great and satisfying and eternal work to do. And that is not to say that we do not enjoy the life we have been given. Indeed...we savor it. Every joyful, hard, painful, hilarious, ridiculous, ordinary, scary, blessed, beautiful moment of it.
"And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:23-28
So there you have it. It's probably Rule #1 that you DO NOT change the name of your blog, but oh well. I did it. I have very understanding, flexible readers. I'm sure it won't be a problem. Plus, most of you are family, or I pay you to read my blog...so you're obligated anyway! ;)
Jenny...Pleasant Places is all yours, Baby! It was great sharing the name with you!
7 comments:
totally LOVE the new name and new look. your heart is lovely! the Lord shines bright in your sweet life.
love,
lyns
wait. you've been paying some people? then i demand backpay!! sheesh!
i like it a lot. miss ya.
Erin, my dear. You count as family. Sorry.
The new name is perfect. Rule #1...yikes there are rules to blogging....I knew I wasn't doing it right...heehee. I am very glad we have shared the same name because otherwise I would never known a Steph Cease or your dear family and your wonderful encouragement. Ah, groan...see I am praying...I love those truths in Romans. I still remember so distinctly reading that passage as a baby Christian (age 18) and having tears spring in my eyes as if in acknowledgement that I had known that truth of His before I had read it. God bless your new site.
It's me..AGAIN. Steph I just wanted to let you know that I posted yet another link to your refurbished blog. There is a blog award for you, but I definitely understand if you are not bloggy award inclined. I simply wanted to check with you if the post wasn't a bother. If there are any problems let me know.
Well, I'm not family, but I do read your blog. :) Thanks for posting your idea for studying chapters of the Bible. I printed it out for my small group to use :)
oh- that scripture...
i'm right there with you on this. i have seen too many stories lately of children being mistreated, and the suffering.
the inward groaning, the patient waiting. man. those 2 are hard to live with at the same time. because wanting something, makes it really hard to be patient. can i get a witness???
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