4 Words from God I'm Hanging Onto Right Now

One year ago if you had suggested that my little family would move to Hawaii where we'd experience a worldwide pandemic that caused everyone to stay isolated at home all the time, I couldn't have imagined the move or the stay-at-home-order. But here we are. My husband, our toddler, and me, on an island surrounded by people, but home together all the time these days.

This week, as I rocked our toddler, I thought about how motherhood did not come quickly or easily for me, and how we are so grateful to have our daughter. I also thought about how motherhood is hard work!

As we rocked, God reminded me of four Scriptures, two of which were already displayed on the walls in our home, and the other two quickly followed. These are pictures from God's word that speak life to me in this moment of my life.

"He settles the barren woman in her home as the happy mother of children." Psalm 113:9

In the picture, you'll see that I paraphrased the passage just a little bit to suit the letters on my letterboard. I won't be called a "barren woman" and I am still asking God to take us from "child" to "children."

After our little one was born, I worked outside of the home for a period of time. Last night as I rocked her to sleep, I remembered some moments when I was working, she was crying, and I was stressed, just wishing I could just be home with her, "just" being a mom.

Here we are now!

Home. As a mom.

All. Of. The. Time.

It's wonderful, but it's not always easy.

Our daughter is thriving - she's living her best life in the security of her home with both parents around 24-7. Though it feels challenging to me many days, I am reminding myself that I am living my dream! My daily life is what I hoped it would be for so many years. Oh how I need God to guide me.

"He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

I love this print by Ruth Chou Simons. I created all of the other art myself - this one is a beautiful professional print! I'm learning the value of asking God each morning for the next step. I'm learning to ask him for direction in the big and the small, knowing that He answers. Just the other day, I asked God for wisdom about when to shop for groceries and when to have the little one take her nap. How would we coordinate those two things? He answered.

"If I settle on the far side of the sea, there your hand will guide me." Psalm 139:10

Eleven weeks ago we moved from the Washington D.C. area to Hawaii. That qualifies as the far side of the sea! We spent 4 weeks in a hotel, a few more weeks unpacking in our apartment, and then we began the stay at home order. I regularly need divine guidance on how to manage life here. We didn't know how much the world would change when we flew across the ocean in January. I just knew I needed His help as we took this huge step. We trust that God brought us here, and that He is guiding our steps.

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

When we arrived at our hotel here in Hawaii, then moved into our apartment, I continually displayed this scripture on an index card until the day I replaced the piece of paper with the words etched onto my chalk board. In the first few weeks here in Hawaii, I met a mom at the pool who had that very scripture tattooed on her shoulder. Seeing those words displayed at the swimming pool was like a divine confirmation that God is with us and He is giving me the rest I need as I transition from a very busy person to a toddler mom, stuck inside during COVID-19. Rest. I can trust that God is giving me rest here.

Settles. Leads. Guides. Rests. Those are some key words that God is telling me right now. He settles me at home. He leads me. He guides me. He gives me rest.

I might feel like life is simply out-of-sorts, but it's just a new season. Life feels weird to me, but God knows what He's doing.

Maybe some of this resonates with you. Maybe your life is quite different than mine. God still speaks, and He loves to highlight His Word in our hearts. I'd love for you to share with me a Scripture that is speaking to you that you are displaying in your home! It doesn't have to be fancy - handwriting on an index card is just fine! Leave a comment, tag me on social media, or send me an email or direct message. Hey, if you've got the time, write me some snail mail to tell me about it! :)

Hi, I'm Betsy Herman. I enjoyed writing when we lived in the Washington D.C. area, and I continue to write from our new home on Oahu, Hawaii! Want to hear more from me? Please subscribe to my monthly email newsletter. I'll definitely let you know when my next book is finished. I also invite you to check out my other publications available through Amazon.