A Good Word Wednesday #38
A little bit of goodness in your mailbox today -- ASTONISHED 👀 🕆 ‼️
Word of the Day - ASTONISHED
When is the last time you were truly overwhelmed?
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I remember when I first saw her 9 1/2 years ago. Our first grandchild. Baby Leah. She survived a long struggle to get into the world. She continued to struggle just awhile longer after she was born. It was the next day before I got to hold her in the NICU. I was astonished. After the fact, I wrote my feelings in a blog… “These past few days when I’ve gotten to hold her, and rock her and whisper in her ear, I am overwhelmed with Your presence and Your blessing.” Read the entire blog listed in Good Words I Recommend below.
Yesterday, I saw the 4D image of our fifth grandchild. Baby Isaac. Safe and warm inside his momma. I watched him move. He is fearfully and wonderfully made.
I’m overwhelmed. Astonished at God’s creation and gift of life.
When I’m sitting here…,
I’m overwhelmed at the beauty God gives us. Peaceful and amazing as spring is bursting open all around me.
As we are now in the middle of Holy Week, it was getting dark that Wednesday. This was the day the once trusted Judas betrayed his Teacher with a kiss. Jesus’ followers had no idea in the days to come that he would die, yet live. He would be gone, yet be everywhere. Can you even imagine how the women at the empty tomb felt? Can you imagine how Peter, James and John felt when they knew he lived? They had to be astonished, humbled, overwhelmed.
How about you? Fill in the blank: I am most astonished at/when: __________________.
Please share!
Wednesday in the Word
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” Habakkuk 1:5 ESV“People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He has done everything well,’ they said. ‘He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” Mark 7:37
“The disciples were astonished. Disciples: Who is this? What sort of man is He, that the sea and the winds listen to Him? Matthew 8:27, The Voice
“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54
Good Unseen People
God has allowed me to travel to some amazing places around the world. I’ve stood speechless, overwhelmed and amazed at His grand and intricate handiwork. The following list of great places will be in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with your Neighbors and the Nations. Learn more:
Good Words I Recommend
A Good Blog: A Prayer for baby Leah
A Good Song: This is more than a good song. I’ve decided it’s my personal theme song. Take a few minutes and listen why God is so good.
A Good Book: This is a good read for your Easter week. The Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs.
Good Books by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. These classic books have been around for awhile. If you want to delve deeper into how and why God made each one of us, dive into these books.
(Last week our word of the week was margin. I discovered the following book this week that looks like an excellent resource by John Mark Comer. I’ve not had a chance to read it yet, but take a look and see what you think.)
And below are some good quotes from one of my favorite writers these days, Allen Arnold.
“Better to create more margin than more busyness.
Better to live simply and be fully present than multi-task and be mostly absent.
Better to walk with God than to run on empty.
Better to slow your rhythm now than wait for the world to calm down first.”
Also, a follow up from last week. It took a few days, but with the help from a plumber and my husband’s expertise, we got our sink back to where it belongs in its rightful place attached to the counter, instead of into the cabinet below.. All is well in my kitchen now. Take a look at last week’s Good Word if you need some background.
NOTE: Some of the links above are associate links. That means, when you click and purchase, I receive a small percentage of that sale. Those funds, as well as funds from paid subscribers, supports my writing this piece each week. Thank you! I commit to forwarding a minimum of 10% to the amazing nonprofits: She Is Safe and The Red Cord. They help raise awareness of sex trafficking. They help prevent, rescue and restore victims to new life.
A Final Word
Recently, my pastor said, “Do you grumble when you should marvel?”
Do you complain about what’s not good and miss the unexpected amazing moments? Or, are you thinking about what you will say next, or worry what others are thinking of you… and you totally miss engagement in the current conversation?
I hope this holy week and especially on Sunday morning, you will press pause, build in some margin, and take time to be overwhelmed at His goodness. At His love for you. Worship and be astonished.
Music is a powerful way to enter into worship. Here is a list of amazing songs that helps us remember His great love for us.
As always, until next week, share a Good Word with someone today,
Thank you for joining me at my writing desk today and reading these words. I’m honored.
Happy Easter, friends. Gratefully yours,
Happy Easter DeAnna. A lot can happen in 7 days, a week...
Amen to that sister. Thank you Patricia