Notebook

Listen, sometimes you think you’ve got life nailed down. You’ve got plans, and things lined up to make them all work.

That was me. But then a devastating car accident turned my life upside down. This wasn’t what I’d expected. My simple, laid out life suddenly became grimly complicated.

I so needed to hear God’s voice in all of this.

I’m not one of those thoughtful, journal-writing types. But I bought a notebook. And I started to take notes.

I filled it with encouraging Scripture and quotes I came across. Lyrics of songs that fed my soul. Notes from friends. I started a long list of everyone who said they were praying with us. One dear friend sent a text every morning that first summer and I copied them down. I outlined the salient points from Tim Keller’s talk on “Praying Our Fears.”

What I ended up with are pages and pages reminding me of God’s love and mercy and provision for us in all times. It’s eased fear into joy, even in these uncertain days. I love reading and rereading through it all.

Here are a few bits from the notebook:

 

“In order to realize the worth of an anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.” —Corrie Ten Boom

 

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” —Hebrews 6:19

 

“A season of suffering is small price to pay for a clear view of God.” —Max Lucado

 

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you . . . Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” —Isaiah 43:4a-5a

 

“Everybody has stuff. No one gets a stuff-free life.” —my friend Betty

 

“Nothing escapes the hand of God, especially when it involves his beloved – you.”  —text from Debbie

 

“Some advice from Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming!” —text from Jenon

 

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” —Frederick Buechner

 

“I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” —Isaiah 46:4

 

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —Jesus in John 16:33

 

I love my notebook. It reminds me what is real and true and eternal—what matters in the end. It reminds me of God’s constant care. It guides me to know His love in ways I would have missed without this complicated season of life.

 

“The seasons change and you change, but the Lord abides evermore the same, and the streams of his love are as deep and as broad and as full as ever.” —Charles Spurgeon