Shiloh Rose Archive

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Mother of 5 beautiful children, friend of books, avid reader, bubble baths are life! I enjoy long walks and hiking, I seek adventure. Writing makes me a better person, I love to share my thoughts.
  • Love Like Me

    Love Like Me

    What life lesson did you learn too late?

    We often think the same love that we give will be reciprocated but that’s often not true. I have given my heart a few times, only to have it crushed deeply. People often do not have the capacity to love others in a meaningful way. I learned this lesson about three times now and it still hurts. I think that love is something that we often give away a little too quickly. We don’t weight the chances of that love being taken for granted.


    If only the strength of the love that people feel when it is reciprocated could be as intense and obsessive as the love we feel when it is not, then marriages would be truly made in heaven. ~ Ben Elton, Stark

    Have you ever felt this way? To have loved another so deeply, to realize that they didn’t quite love you the same? Have you ever given your all and felt that you still couldn’t penetrate the person’s heart? You are not alone in this feeling.

    What causes a love imbalance? Is it based on attraction? Maybe personality differences? I’m not really sure, maybe it’s related to our upbringing. I believe the way a person loves can be influenced by a number of things. The Bible says, “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Jesus loved us so deeply that he died for our sins. I would say that is definitely a love imbalance! I can’t say that I have stood first in line to say, “I will die for you!” I think of the line the Joker says in the movie that Harley Quinn’s profession that she would die for him was too easy. “But would you live for me?”

    What do you live for? Who do you live for? Most of us will say our children, grandchildren, spouses, parents, etc. What if you didn’t have an answer to that? Love is a tricky thing, we love someone so much that we endure suffering. We love someone so much it could become unhealthy. Does this mean that we shouldn’t love? Should our hearts become stone? How can we guard our hearts as the Bible says? Love touches all our hearts with pain, because love can be lost as well.

    We must practice developing a better thought life, prayer routine, and scripture meditation. It’s not any easy fix, but it will help us make better choices. Love is beautiful and so rewarding. However, love can cause us to make unhealthy choices. We need to learn the true meaning of love. It takes trial and error to know if we are loving others well. All of us are scarred by the brokenness of the world we live in. There are many injustices all around.

    Love is a commandment. Jesus says to love our neighbor as ourselves. I can admit that it took me learning to love myself better, to be better at loving others. I am still a work in progress for sure. I grew up in a very transactional household and family, love was given through gifts, money, favors, or through achievements. Jesus never loved people for what they could offer, he loves those that the world dismissed and turned away from. The poor, sick, crippled, forgotten and sinners; those were his ministry.

    How often do we invite the homeless to lunch, or for a ride in our car? We often are afraid to really engage with them. We hand a few dollars or maybe a small bag of items and go on about our lives. I’m the same way, but yet I know Jesus would have done more. I know we cannot walk blindly into harms way, but sometimes I think we need to ask God how to love people like that. Many times people think you have everything if you are beautiful or handsome. The homeless man or woman on the street probably has way more talent than me in something.

    They are not worthless beings, they are loved by God no matter what. I have always been judged by my appearance, rather than my heart. People assume my life is great, I am wealthy or have it all together because of beauty. The beauty industry tells us that the way we look equals our success. Jesus says that doesn’t matter. I struggle too with the vanities of this world. I used to date a very kind man but he wasn’t my ideal type. He was much too thin for his tall frame. He wore plain and boring clothes. I was young and I judged his appearance.

    He loved me so gently, he treated me with respect and kindness. I didn’t take his love serious because I was immature. I had learned a bad way of thinking. I pray that he found someone to love him for who he was because he was a great man. He built me a beautiful table with his bare hands. I had no idea at the time the kind of love I was receiving. I took it for granted and dismissed it. I turned to a man that was beautiful, big, strong, and burly and I eventually got a cruel man. The love was self-serving and unkind. It cost me so much. I realized that beneath all the good looks was a very broken boy inside. I still love him anyway. We are all broken in some way or another but remember to be wise in your search for love.

    Love is not just a feeling but a promise to be there for the good, bad and ugly. Love is beyond our appearance. I know we all love beauty but often the greatest loves come from ordinary vessels. I have seen very good looking people that have great marriages as well, so not to say it’s not possible! I’m just making observations from what I learned from the folly of a young girl to now a woman. May we all learn to love a little better!

    Happy Reading & God Bless!!

  • The Great Outdoors

    The Great Outdoors

    What is one thing you can’t live without?

    I enjoy nature walks and taking pictures of the beauty that I see around me.

    In this current hard season of life, I have immersed myself into finding beauty all around me.

    Nature speaks its own language. When I am out looking for the good I often find it. The quiet rustle of leaves, the sound of animals scurrying around, and the occasional chatter of squeaky squirrels. Nature feels like home. It’s peaceful and calm. It beckons you to slow down and take it all in. Lately, deer keep meeting me on the paths. It’s almost comical because I will be completely lost in thought and then out of nowhere I’m face to face with these gentle creatures. They often come in pairs when we meet. They look thoughtfully at me and I do the same.

    I say hello, and smile. They always seem unafraid of me and that makes me glad. I always hope to have a welcoming presence. I am there to enjoy the scenery, not take anything. God has given us so much beauty to enjoy. I truly cannot live with a good walk in nature! When was the last time you slowed down to notice the world around you?

    All rights reserved. All photos are mine. ShilohRose77©️

  • Don’t Only Consume But Give

    Don’t Only Consume But Give

    What’s something you believe everyone should know. Today has been a hard day, I felt quite discouraged by the selfishness that I see from those around me. I think for me generosity has always came naturally to who I am. I have learned that although you give a lot, it will often be unappreciated.

    Don’t Only Consume But Give
  • Note From The Lord

    Note From The Lord

    Prophetic Message written by: ShilohRose77

    Nature Walk

    In my post titled “God of the Morning,” I spoke about receiving a prophetic message from the Lord. I felt led to write down what he had to say, and after pondering it and praying. I want to share it with you guys and use scriptures that I feel go along with its meaning. I have had things happen in the Spirit realm that I will never fully be able to understand or explain on this side of heaven!

    I don’t go around telling everyone that I am a prophet by any means, but I have had things come true that I have spoken. I have dreamed most of them. This gift is from the Lord, and often I admit that I do not enjoy it! It’s hard to speak up about what the Spirit has to say, sometimes I get weak and feel unworthy. However, running from God has only always made things much worse. So here I am, surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Let this post be less of me and more of you, Oh Lord. I don’t have a title for the message. I allowed him to write through me and I was just the vessel.

    Hike Day

    Prophetic Message 10/12 2-3am

    The Lord your God he has spoken these things. You are not to delay. Give him what is due his holy name. The people have strayed, the noise of their prayers has come to me. I will not hear. Their hearts are evil. Stop with the noise. Bring me your hearts. Not your sacrifice. Holy and Acceptable. 

    You have denied my name, therefore I will deny your requests.

    Do not expect me to act, and do not expect me to give you anything.

    Purify your hearts oh sinners.

    Awaken! Awaken! Awaken! 

    Stop the noise! I want obedience! 

    I desire you!

    No more news.

    I wont speak. 

    Remain silent before me! 

    Learn of me! 

    Open the eyes.

    Hear the voice.

    I will make ways in the desert.

    Come to the river.

    Open the doors of the storehouse.

    Wipe your eyes, for I heard your cries.

    No more anguish, no more fears

    I the Lord hear.

    Stop the noise! 

    Purify your hearts.

    Dream your dreams

    List your reasons.

    Twist my words.

    Heard my name!

    No I came you did not see me.

    You missed my presence,

    You missed my presence.

    You were too busy.

    Calm down and be still and be silent, for I have spoken.

    Did you not hear?

    I have spoken! Hear only me!

    You will not see death, you will live.

    I will be your God.

    Do not delay.

    Praise my name.

    Not with noise, with your mouths open wide! 

    Let silence come! 

    I will fill your longing, your words to feel.

    Your heart to give.

    I will fill. 

    I will act.

    I will. I will.

    I said it.

    The Lord has spoken, need only hear.

    No more tears.

    No more fears.

    Dream your dreams.

    Face your fears.

    I will be there 

    I am here

    I know your need

    Come to me

    Remember my name!

    Do not delay.

    Why do you wait?

    Why do you delay?

    Come to me this day.

    I will show you what I need.

    You come I plead.

    Give your hearts to me!

    I gave your life.

    I will sustain it!

    Stop the noise!

    The loud cries but not faith!

    Come in faith.

    Come in faith.

    Come in faith.

    The Lord will act.

    You will see it soon.

    I will do it for you.

    I will be your God.

    Allow me time.

    I love you. 

    I saw two bucks.

    RELATED SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

    “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.””
    ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.”
    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    ““I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
    ‭‭Amos‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
    ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭62‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.””
    ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
    ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.”
    ‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
    ‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    ““Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “Set forth your case, says the LORD; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
    ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.”
    ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
    ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    They weren’t shy!

    I hope this message resonated with your hearts and I pray that the Lord gives you a deeper revelation. Always pray and read God’s word for yourself. Have a great week! God Bless YOU!!

  • Pressed to Prayer

    Pressed to Prayer
  • The God of The Morning

    The God of The Morning

    The Great Smoky Mountains (My Photo)

    This morning I woke up at around 2am which is not uncommon for the life of a prayer warrior. The Lord picks times when we are the most still, quiet and often vulnerable to speak to us. I rolled out of bed planning to go to the bathroom, say a quick prayer in my closet and go on back to bed. However, the Lord kept me in prayer longer. As is his job to remind me of things to confess, or pray about. I sat there for a bit. Lately, I have been telling him how much I love him. I smile giddily like a young girl when I think of his goodness. Our relationship complex and yet so beautiful.

    Do you talk to God? If so, how do you address him? Fatherly, Motherly, or maybe with fear? Maybe you have a sense of awe when you speak to him?

    In prayer I have felt a wide range of emotions. As usual it’s based on circumstances often. I can imagine he shakes his head in frustration that we all worry so much! We grab for the reigns as if we are in control! Our plans are often proved futile in the long run! We can do our best, but ultimately life while take you on a ride of twists and turns. The expected and unexpected all happening simultaneously! God loves our dependency on him. He often demands it through the very circumstances we often try so hard to avoid.

    I captured a Sun Dog the other day! So interesting that conditions have to be just right for this to happen. I see it as no coincide!

    I heard a lady say earlier this week, that she is weaker now and that she knows God allowed it. He desires us to truly be like children depending on him for everything. We are capable of so much as humans, and we tend to rather independence. If you are like me, I hate to feel needy. Yet it’s in our neediness that God is truly able to meet those needs. If you have all the answers, and everything figured out; there isn’t much room for God.

    This morning I had my own plans of what it would be like in my prayer time. Yet God spoke to me much differently this time. It was just when I left my prayer closet, and I had climbed back into bed. I felt a strong sense to grab a pen and paper. He had something to say, and he knows that I will end up yapping too much if he doesn’t calm me. He allowed me to be in a different state of mind. I was in this trance and although consciously, I was unsure of it all. God knows what he is doing. He gave me a message. It spoke very directly to my heart and I know it’s for others too.

    The first thing I thought after it was all over was that I may vomit, from the intensity of the moment. My body exhausted from praying, and being used as a conduit for this writing. My hand felt like it was not my own as I wrote in the darkness, unsure if the words were even coming out legibly. None of this moment made any sense. Then when it was over, I laid the pen and pad down and I felt the Lord tell me to rest. As I laid down, I felt him speaking again. This time it was different yet again I could hear the voice in my mind, but I couldn’t really move. I felt very light, still, and calm. I listened and I tried to have my own conversation back in my mind.

    This part of the conversation was strictly about something that I have been praying about for a while now. He spoke calmly and precise. I was relieved in a way, but also stunned. I rolled over after saying a few whispers of thanks and fell asleep. The message was comforting and yet in the natural doesn’t seem like much is happening. This is what faith is though right? Will I trust him with these messages? I have been pondering and praying about them all day. I am a logical person, the supernatural can still feel odd to me.

    After so many supernatural experiences, I still try and find logical reasoning! This is where I have to pray and repent for my doubt. If I believe in an unseen God, why would I doubt the methods in which he decides to speak? I mean he spoke to Moses in a burning bush, he spoke to prophets in visions, and he speaks to me often in the night! Oh Lord forgive me, for the times I try and be too logically minded! The carnal mind cannot understand God! Is this stinging you too? Do you need to stop trying to fit God into an explainable box? The creator of the cosmos? The Holy, Divine, Lord of All; are you limiting him?

    Thank you Lord for speaking to me and help me to not question it so much! Help all of us to open our eyes of FAITH! Give us ears to hear you Lord. Create in us clean hearts, that can access all that you have for us. I will share the message that I feel is for all believers soon. I want to make sure that I am being accountable to what it entails first. I need to purify my own ways and thoughts! The messenger is not beyond the message! What he gives me will always be for me to adhere to. I hope I can make him proud. I know I fall short so often. You are not alone in your mistakes, stumbling, or doubts, my friends!

    Sometimes I get frustrated in myself, how can you have such great faith and still have these deep moments of doubt? It reminds me of Peter, when Jesus allowed him to walk on the water like him. Peter had faith that he could do it, but lost faith quickly once he actually started doing it! Is there something that you have stopped believing to be possible from God? Is there a prayer you have stopped praying? Now is not the time to lack faith! The world is getting darker and darker! We need to be bold and ask for great things! The Lord’s glory needs to be displayed greater!

    That is the way that people came to believe in Jesus was through miracles, and bold teachings! We cannot claim to be his followers and not have any testimonies of his miraculous workings in our lives, or those we come in contact with! Faith without works is dead! People are waiting for the light we have to be turned up a notch! I am preaching to myself right now by the way! It stings my heart to know how often I sat on my light. Sometimes I was ashamed, embarrassed, or simply too prideful. Woe is me!

    My roses are doing really good despite the time they went untended when we moved away! I am working to get them back healthier.

    I hope that you will light a fire, in your own faith. Ask God for bigger, greater, and believe deeper! Ask for the faith that moves mountains! Stand on the water with Jesus, and ask for legs to walk! This world needs what you have, don’t sit on it! Live out loud, live on purpose, with passion! Ask God for your mission! Not one living soul is without purpose! Even the evildoers of this world have purpose! They make our light exist! They give us battles to conquer! Satan cannot defeat the children of light, but that doesn’t stop him from trying!

    Get your faith back! Step out from the shadows! Speak up! Show up! I pray you all have a wonderful week! God bless & Happy Reading!

    SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

    “And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭28‬, ‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.”
    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭30‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    All rights reserved. All photos are mine. ShilohRose77©️

  • Unstoppable Gospel in Uncomfortable Times

    Unstoppable Gospel in Uncomfortable Times

    “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    Hey guys! I thought I would do something different today and give you a video encouragement today! I felt that God wanted me to speak the words aloud for this one! I knew God didn’t want me to sit on it anymore. I hope you all are well, remember to pray! 🙏 This is a reminder to fellow believers to stay on mission for the gospel!

    If you aren’t following Jesus, may this spark an interest!

    It’s based on the Bible passage: Fulfill Your Ministry (2 Timothy 4 ESV)


     “Showing up is non-negotiable. Most of life is just showing up.” — Maya Angelou

    All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️

  • My Cross To Bear

    My Cross To Bear

    Great Smoky Mountains (My Photo)

    I wrote this poem the other day after prayer, I was feeling the loneliness of the life of a follower of Jesus. Jesus never said it would be easy.

    “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
    ‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    I bear my cross, even if it feels like loss

    I bow my head to pray even when my heart is weary

    Your word I read to feed my longing soul

    Carry your cross, my child

    Denial may only be delay

    Share the wisdom I give

    And always pray

    Cast not pearls before swine

    Remember you are divine

    Sometimes you will have to walk away

    Everyone cannot stay

    Lay down your life to gain

    Begin again its a new day

    Your heart may hurt

    Trust my protection and do not stray

    Keep my teachings close

    Remember the way

    I bore my cross for you

    I bore my cross for them too

    Forgive their sin

    Follow me

    Today my child be made new

    Nothing is ever lost when you give it me

    Hope restored I with you faithfully.

    All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️

  • Flowing With Grace

    Flowing With Grace

    Photo is Mine (Boat: General Jackson)
    “Faith does not need to push the river because faith is able to trust that there is a river. The river is flowing. We are in it.”
    ― Richard Rohr

    These past couple of weeks have been agonizingly beautiful. Once I finally decided to set my face on the path forward there was of course opposition. The same old patterns began to resurface. I quickly noticed the trap and did my best to not take the bait! My ex has tried his best to disturb my peace and resolve. My therapist was very proud to see that I am noticing and she told me that I am well on my way! Healing is definitely not linear though. My heart has been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster from ending my marriage earlier this year, to the realization that my heart is open to love again! That one scared me, I mean of course I have thought about it. As everyone keeps telling me lately, “I have a lot of life to live.”

    “Don’t let the heart that didn’t love you keep you from the one that will.”

    To fall in love again seems exciting because we all know how good it feels to be in love. However, staying in love and making it last takes a lot of effort. One thing I’ve learned is that you must have a partner you are compatible with. We all know opposites attract, but they don’t seem to have what it takes to make a lasting relationship. I have a list of what I am desiring in my next husband. I read over it often, because when you go shopping without a list you end up with random things. God cannot answer prayers that do not have specifics. He desires to be good to us but often we are too causal in our prayer life.

    The moment I felt my heart awakening to these possibilities I had no idea how it would hit me so heavily! I have been in an abusive, stifling and stagnant marriage for a long time. I felt about half dead if I am honest. Intimacy, romance, excitement, and passion had long ago died. When your heart has perpetually been let down you learn to build walls. I had closed that part of me off for the most part. When I would desire intimacy and closeness it never seemed quite right, somehow I always left feeling shortchanged. I also felt an immense guilt about these feelings arising. Somehow it felt like a betrayal to God, myself, and even my abusive husband!

    I am learning to not suppress my feelings anymore, but to sit with them and let them come and go as they should. I know that I gave all I could in my marriage, I was loyal and faithful. I did what was honorable and I have no reason to feel shame. My compassionate heart makes me feel the guilt and also feel sorry for my ex. However, I know that is just part of healing. When I took the photo above I was watching the sunset over the river. It was such a beautiful night. The water reminds me to go with the flow. I cannot control all the outcomes of this season. I didn’t full realize what I was feeling initially.

    My harvest moon photo!

    One day a couple of weeks ago, I finally admitted to myself and God that I have a crush! It felt like a secret that I had been keeping from my heart. I realize that it has been there for quite some time. How do I know this? I went back and read my journal and I saw that I casually mentioned it. I tried to keep it in a box the best I could. Lately, I am unable to hide from it as it consumes my mind quite often. When I admitted it out loud I felt God’s loving acceptance. He did not shame me. He understands me completely and he saw all that I’ve been through. He knows my heart.

    Lately God has been using my story to draw other women to himself. The strange thing is sometimes, I don’t even have to say anything and he sends them directly to me! My prayer group leader connected me with two other women who have survived abuse. We are meeting every couple of weeks to chat, encourage and check in with each other. I get emotional when I think of how God had this planned all along. When I met Katie, I had no idea how our friendship would change my life. We were just serving together as agents of prayer. She has introduced me to a community of believers from all over the world! When we serve others, God always makes sure we get our needs met too!

    There are so many moments that I am seeing God’s hand helping me through this season and making it beautiful.

    “to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    All the years I spent trying to guard my heart, protect myself, keep people at a distance, and close the walls securely proved to be fruitless. I realize that when we place our heart in the hands that created it we are much safer. God never meant for us to be closed off from others. He created us for each other. I am learning to be a well of water for others to be refreshed. I know how to create boundaries but I don’t have to isolate myself. Thank you Lord for helping me to heal, grow and help others! The past two Sunday’s at church I know I was at the right place and timing.

    The importance of keeping our life open to God’s prompting and leading creates space for him to love on others through us. I was running late the Sunday before last. My son and I couldn’t sit in our usual area, so we slipped into a row in the back and there was a couple that followed in behind us. I noticed the woman next to me cried the whole service. When it was time to greet your neighbor, I knew I had to ask if she was okay. She was so emotional that I just instinctively grabbed her in for a hug. I thank God for using me as his vessel. I pray I never take that for granted! We prayed and she gave me her number and wanted to meet soon.

    People need people.

    I told my therapist about the encounter because I saw myself in her haunted eyes. It takes courage to talk to a stranger and accept their kindness. However, sometimes it’s all that is available in moments of our life. Family may not always be around, or we may be far from home. God knows how heavy things can get and when we live obedient to his guidance we step in at the right time for someone. Yesterday I was leaving church and I saw a girl from my class on Wednesday nights. We spoke briefly and she started to get emotional and asked if I would pray for her. I smiled from my heart because I love to care for people. Nothing brings me more joy!

    There will always be so many moments we miss because of fear, rejection, or whatever. I try my best to keep my eyes open and my heart receptive to the call of God, to be his hands and feet. I said all this to say that I am so happy that I did not allow what happened to me through my childhood and abusive relationships to cause me to miss having an open heart! My heart is more tender now than it has been in a long time! Jesus has kept his word!

    “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
    ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    The feelings of love, possibilities of new connections, and the hope for a beautiful future belong to me! Even if my crush and I never become anything more, I wont regret feeling alive again! I am happily embracing my new life, even though some days are daunting. Some days wear me out from being so vulnerable but they are so rewarding. If you had told me a year ago I would feel this way I wouldn’t have believed it! Friends that’s what a relationship with Jesus can do for you. It changes your perspective and creates beauty from even the ugliest and darkest moments! I’ve known Jesus for so long but I was so afraid to let go of my relationship, for fear that I wasn’t strong enough! Take the leap, flow into the possibilities, release your grip.

    “Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.”

    The river so calm and beautiful that night.

    Happy Reading & God Bless! All rights reserved.

    ShilohRose77©️

  • Joy In The Wilderness

    Joy In The Wilderness

    The journey to the Promised Land.

    “until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭32‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    In the Bible, the wilderness—called midbar in Hebrew—means an untamed, empty place of danger and scarcity where God tests, humbles, and meets his people.

    The children of Israel had been enslaved to in Egypt for four hundred years. They had been told for generations through prophecy that they would be redeemed and set free. They had long forgotten to keep hope alive! Finally Moses comes on the scene and leads them out with shouts of JOY! The entire process was scary and stressful getting away from Pharaoh and his cruel oppression. Moses himself I’m sure wanted to give up because Pharaoh was not wanting to let them GO!

    Freedom intimidates people! So often people come accustomed to you being a certain way and seeing you set free irks them! The children of Israel felt abandoned by God for so many generations they had adapted to their life. They had accepted it as permanent. I am getting a divorce after being in an abusive marriage for almost ten years. I can admit that I had in a lot of ways lost hope and courage to leave. It was like a shift came in my mindset one day and I said “ENOUGH”! I know God was making me feel that longstanding discomfort in that relationship. It had long expired.

    My loyalty, love, complacency, and fear kept me far too long. I had truly hoped that God would save the marriage. I have come to see that I must break free because the abuse continues even during separation. The children of Israel, had developed a stubborn, slavery mindset that required time to be dealt with. God was completely ready to take them into the land he had promised them but they had to be ready! That’s why this story resonates with me so much. Am I ready to let go of the past and take hold of the future? God is patient and long suffering.

    God’s people were not ready to receive what God had for them because they clung to the old life. They lacked faith and trust in God. He took them the wilderness path to their future, it took forty years for them to get prepared and many did not make it! Many of the older generations died during those years. Lord don’t let me stay stuck in old ways. I am clinging to you Oh Lord! To leave everything you know behind, it takes your mind, body and spirit on a real ride! God is so faithful though, he has been working on my heart these seven months. I let go of family, friends, and whoever stood against my freedom!

    I know the love and prayer of friends and community have truly helped me when I wanted to run back to my EGYPT. I admit that I would have went back had God not drawn the boundary line! Thank you Lord, when we stop fighting what is progressing we truly see the beauty! My heart has started opening in ways I never really felt before. The children of Israel learned the hard way many times. However I see joy in the wilderness despite the hardship that it brings! I gleaned over this story to learn from their journey. I want to know God more deeply and help you to understand his love too!

    JOY IN THE WILDERNESS: (Takeaways & Reflections)

    • The children of Israel sang for joy as they left. (I admit when I left my relationship, I felt guilty a lot for feeling joy!) “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
      ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
      Sometimes we are so used to bad things we forget what true joy looks like!
    • They didn’t immediately get led into comfort and ease. You think why would God allow them to suffer more? They had been treated poorly already! He did this to build their endurance, trust, faith, and to discern God’s voice. These seven months have been the hardest of my life! Many nights I was scared of how we would survive this! However the Lord continued to lead me into his bosom. I wrestled to hear his voice, I fought to stay in his word! I pressed my way into community for support even when the shame and grief almost killed me!
    • The wilderness will teach you to rest on the Sabbath. Sometimes you can fight all you want to change something at it still be the same! God is asking you to rest sometimes. “And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.””
      ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭ESV‬ Rest is HOLY, it’s a sacred time that we can reflect, meditate, worship and rest in God’s love and care. This one is probably the hardest for me! Rest on the Sabbath proves we trust God to provide!
    • Trust in Daily Bread: There are times of plenty and abundance and then sometimes God takes us into a season of just enough! You have enough to get by but it’s tight and it can be uncomfortable! My husband kept all the main items of furniture to punish me. I’ve not lived like this in many years and yet I’m learning that it wasn’t his control that kept it this way. It was God teaching me not to depend on material things. I lost so much weight that I had no clothes! I would have to buy little bits at a time, money was tight! Sometimes food was low but we always ATE! My God is true to his words! Doors shut for resources because sometimes you gotta learn to suffer well!
    • Joy will return!! In my class the other night at church they circled me and prayed in tongues over me. They began to speak prophecy over me. They told me that my joy was returning! I was covered by a large hand and that I was oily!!! HALLELUJAH! They said the anointing was flowing down my face. They said they could feel the heaviness upon me as I wept. However they all agreed that it was being lifted! They said they saw a meadow of joy for me coming! A place of peace, rest, soft grass, and nourishment. “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
      ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    • Sometimes we break God’s heart. He has to punish us to get us to understand. We are his “Segullah: Hebrew word meaning: Treasured possession, set aside property! If we learn to obey we gain more than we could imagine! “‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;”
      ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    • “In the wilderness we practice being garden people.” -YouVersion
    • I dreamed in this wilderness of my own that I was planting with a tool. It was like a stick that broke up the ground and I was sowing seeds. While I was working so hard and feeling frustrated because the ground was hard and dry. My husband was deliberately not helping. He was riding around on a lawn mower! Ready to cut down anything that would come up! It takes work on our part to reap the blessings God has for us! We need to be with someone that will help us sow and reap! In the dream my daddy was there and he was sort of watching me work and he acknowledged how hard I was working!
    • We need to learn to mature and depend on Jesus. I’ve also learned to depend on others which can be hard to be vulnerable and open. We have to learn to discern who is for us and who is not. Community is where growth happens. The wilderness is much worse alone.

    You will never know the meadows you could grow, if you are fixated on the ashes of a garden you never had.” — Nikita Gill

    The long, hard years are becoming more sacred to me. I am learning to appreciate my story. It is full of God’s provision, faithfulness, and my own resilience. He taught me to love myself in the wilderness. We cannot truly love until we know his love. We cannot truly love until we are comfortable with our light and darkness! We hand it over to Jesus the redeemer of all! The wilderness will last as long as you allow it! Stay faithful to God, learn what he teaches, and love your way through it!

    All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️