Remarkable Secrets

Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.~ Jeremiah 33:3

I can hardly recount the number of times over the last several years when I found myself desperately scanning the bible, searching for that perfect, written-just-for-me scripture that would assure me I would get pregnant that day, that cycle, that month, that year…in my lifetime.

As a preacher’s daughter, I grew up knowing that God would always love me, protect me, and guide me to the answers I seek, in the direction of His will. I grew up understanding that sometimes God answered prayers in ways that may not be exactly what I asked for, but would be part of the role I am to play in my life or in the lives of others.

But this – this is the role I was created for, was it not? My reason for being a woman with a womb and husband who adores me, can I get an amen?

And then one day I came across this scripture:

Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.~ Jeremiah 33:3

And it seemed so exciting! I was immediately drawn back to my childhood, mesmerized by books like The Secret Garden. My mind instantly created a beautiful imagery of me, as a young girl, coming upon an old wooden gate, covered in ivy, surrounded by thick trellises of ivy and roses and wildflowers. I closed my eyes and imagined the smells of a nineteenth century garden, mildewy, moss covered and bursting with every floral aroma my senses could bear.

But the path – the path that lies beyond, that leads into the unknown – that is what is so much more captivating.

We all want to know what’s there, on the other side of now. We all want to know what’s coming, and if we will ever again feel complete, and free and innocent.

Prayer. This is our only way to that path.

In Jeremiah 33:3, God is saying, “Ask me, child, and I will answer you. I know you are seeking. I know you are uncertain. But I will show you. You will see.”

Prayer is the path to enlightenment for our souls. It’s very exciting and powerful if you can allow yourself to feel it. Prayer is the means to strengthen our faith in the path He has laid for us. There is an answer for you. There are remarkable things coming for you that you cannot even fathom.

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? ~ Isaiah 43:19

When I came across this scripture a few years ago, I had just earned my degree, I was looking for a job, trying to keep our utilities from being turned off, coming to terms with infertility, and I thought:…Ummmmmm…Noooooo, no I don’t see it.

When your mind and your heart and your body are all frustrated with the world, when you go through times in your life when you seem to be taking one hit after another, Oh, it is so hard to see through to the other side. You feel like you’re completely off the path altogether.

Of course, most of us continue along on the outside as though everything is fine. And, if you’re like me, you still find happiness in life where ever you can, and smile and reach out and stay busy. But on the inside, being lost inside your own life and having no idea if the dreams you have will ever come true, is a terrifying and depressing state to find yourself in.

Prayer. This is how you will see it. This is how you will be lifted up to see over that wall, and peek into the unknown. I like to think of Jesus as a child, interlocking his fingers for me to place my foot in and get a boost up to see over. And when you get that glimpse, when you feel that twinge of excitement, when you say a prayer and are smiling and visualizing for God the dreams of your heart and chills race down your spine, you will know that you have been told a remarkable secret. Your story is not over. Great and wonderful things are yet to come for you. Get back on the path of faith – and know it.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.~ Romans 8:38-39

Neither life, nor death…neither infertility, nor depression, nor bills, nor phone calls from the doctor, nor insensitivity of others, nor hopelessness, nor anything else this world can dish out will be able to separate us from God’s love.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

Take that, World!

I would like to close with a line from another favorite childhood book: