Do you see the mountains? They were clear as day in person, but I just about missed them as I scrolled back through my photos from Israel. You may have to squint, but they’re right there in between the blue water and the blue sky. And forgive me for turning everything into a lesson, but as I stared at this photo and tried to find the missing mountains, it was as if He said “just because you can’t clearly see something doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.”
Sometimes, maybe more often than not, we have only the foggiest glimpse of what God’s doing all around us. Sometimes, we can hardly see Him, hear Him, feel Him.
We wait and hope and beg and cry out. We learn to hold grief and joy together. We trust that there’s meaning in the mundane and that the in between seasons matter. We look for beauty in the ordinary and we cling to the promise that He isn’t done working. Even when we can’t see the next step, even when we don’t know quite what He’s up to and our timetable looks so different than His, we zoom in and look for His fingerprints.
We’re squinting our eyes, desperate for an answer or a promise-fulfilled to show up clear as day. But it’s there — already. He’s there — already. He is working in our waiting.
God, give us eyes to see.
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I’ve been holding these words in my hands, continuing to return to them for several days.
I’m paying attention, somewhat surprised and so happy to discover the pictures and words from (and about) Israel seem to be striking a chord in both comments and in personal emails.
Social media often feels loud and full, and I’m purposely choosing to only share when I actually have something to say. I don’t want to simply add to the noise and overwhelm your feed. But Israel? These pictures and words? I can barely keep from posting each and every one, sharing story after story. And so it feels a bit like a gift to me, that sharing these pictures and words is a gift to you.
This one image, though, of the missing mountains… I just keep coming back to it, re-reading the comments left on the post, turning over the idea of zooming in and looking for His fingerprints.
I won’t presume to know what you’re going through today.
I won’t pretend to know the unknowns up ahead, the decisions you need to make, the changes coming you wouldn’t have necessarily chosen, the difficult goodbyes that are waiting or the brave hellos right around the corner.
I don’t know what this chapter of your story looks like.
But I do know that we can trust the Author.
Even when the fog rolls in and the mountains go missing, even when we can’t see beyond the next right step, even when there are far more questions than answers.
Even then.
He is the One who doesn’t change, the One who remains faithful and true and constant and good and present — always present — in every storyline.
God, give us eyes to see.
Thank you, Kaitlyn for sharing your words and your trip. I’m loving these posts.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder, Kaitlyn. I have scheduled to share it on my Facebook page. Visiting today from Faith ‘n Friends.
Thank you for taking the time to share, Deborah. :)
Love this! How true it is that we tend to lean only toward believing what we can see rather than knowing what we need is there BEFORE we can see it. Ah… sounds like Hebrews 11:1, doesn’t it? Thanks
Hi, thanks for sharing this great post last week on the #LMMLinkup. It really blessed me and I picked it as my favorite for the week.
Thank you, Mary! That was very kind of you.
Ah, I have had the same experience with mountains (namely Denali). Each time I don’t see it, I know it’s there–and when I DO see it, I’m incredibly blessed. But the journey to the mountain (and to God) is what’s important. Always keep journeying to Him.
“We’re squinting our eyes, desperate for an answer or a promise-fulfilled to show up clear as day. But it’s there — already. He’s there — already. He is working in our waiting.” Oh, Kaitlyn, yes! May He give us eyes to see that He’s always there and we need to remember to trust. Thanks for linking up with us at #LMMLinkup. Blessings to you!
I’ve chosen your post as my favorite this week and will be featuring it on my blog tomorrow for #LMMLinkup.
Thank you so much, Gayl! I hope you’ve had a good weekend.
Thank you, I enjoyed the reflection from the mountains in the fog, reminding me of Habakkuk 3: 17 -19.
You’re most welcome to drop by for a cuppa & time of reflection,
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…Only one earth life…
Beautifully said. Visiting you today from the dancing with Jesus link up. laurensparks.net
Amen! Yes, God give us eyes to see from Your perspective. Great post and wonderful encouragement Kaitlyn. We are neighbors at Kelly’s #RaRaLinkup
A good reminder…even though it should be a simple and easy to remember truth…I often forget. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent thoughts.
Spoken from one who knows – in your inward being. What God does in our waiting is His best work. I don’t always like it – rarely, in fact. Will share, Kaitlyn.
Thank you, Sue!