He has Called you by Name

This post is for my friend Edie. Two weeks ago today she lost her house and EVERYTHING in it to a fire.
Today is Edie's Birthday.



After the initial shock and disbelief of the news that you had lost your home the only thing I felt like I could do is pray. And although I prayed for comfort and healing, there was a part of me that just groaned. I groaned as I hung on to the promise that the Holy Spirit would intercede for me because there is something you need and I don't know what it is, I can't give it to you. But HE does, and he can, so there I have laid it at his feet.

As the days went by there seemed to be a constant theme running through my mind. I couldn't help but wonder. How was it that God had prepared you for this? I knew that somewhere, somehow you would be able to look back and see the gentile loving hand of God preparing your heart and soul for something to come. Along with this constant thought came a verse that I just couldn't get out of my mind. I had read it somewhere a long time ago and had no idea where it was.

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;

   do not dwell on the past.

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland.

²⁰ The wild animals honor me,

   the jackals and the owls,

because I provide water in the wilderness

   and streams in the wasteland,

to give drink to my people, my chosen,

 ²¹ the people I formed for myself

   that they may proclaim my praise.

When I read your post I couldn't help but rejoice. He was there, he was, I knew it! He always is.

I went to my handy dandy Bible gateway to find my verse (the bold part was all I could remember).

I decided of course to read a little more in context, to see what the whole chapter was about. I encourage you and anyone reading this post to go read:

Isaiah 43

My heart leped when I began to read the first verse:

But now, this is what the LORD says—

   he who created you, Jacob,

   he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 

Who knew when we made these necklaces and we searched for the right words to write on them, that yours, the one I would see around your neck for the following weeks, would be the blessing and an encouragement to me in this great time of your loss. He is always there! I hope it blesses you and encourages you as it has me.

I haven't had a chance to see you yet. But I have always wondered if you slept with all of those necklaces on. I have NEVER, ever seen you without them on. If your necklace is gone,  rest assured that it will be replaced!

The chapter reads on:

² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

 I give thanks today for the one who knit you in your mothers womb, and created you so fearfully and wonderfully. I thank the one who has chosen you and called you by name.

Thank you Edie for being a friend, for inspiring us all to seek and show God's beauty and creativity. Thank you for inspiring us to know him and love him better.

Thank you for smiling at me every time I walk in the door. Thank you for talking to me like I am the most important person to you at that moment. Thank you for sharing your precious daughters with me. Thank you for believing in me.

Happy Birthday!