The pruning is always preparation.

The view took my breath away.
Just moments earlier, my tears had been hot on my cheeks as my soul cried out. Full of gratitude and also feeling pressed. Deeply aware of the grace that surrounded me and also pleading with God for new ground. Lifting my head with new perspective because of healing, while asking for Him to renew my heart in faith as I pray for healing in places that has yet to occur.
Praising Him for the deliverance while asking for a breakthrough. Isn’t that often much of life?

You see, this view is more than I could ever put into words. I almost didn’t try. The light pouring in from the outside skies, the sanctuary saturated with worship from voices that are so needy for His presence, + there in the aisle, my little boy.
On his own. Taking steps of courage because of His Maker.
There is my little boy, braving the unknown because He has experienced the healing that is possible because of His Father.
There is my little boy, aware that there are many things he can’t yet do, words he can’t yet say and feels frustrated by their absence, and milestones he is working towards with confidence, hope, and humility as the fragility of his flesh feels taunting at times.
And as I looked at him, I could feel the Father wrapping His MIGHTY, everlasting arms tightly around my body + whispering, “and YOU are my little girl. Let My faithfulness HERE inform your faith for there.”
Oh Lord, let it be.
Let it be Your way and Your will and Your wondrous plan that I will never comprehend.

As you plan, will you remember this verse and ponder it in your heart?
“Your road led through the sea, Your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!”
No one knew was there…
His glory revealed, trustworthy, + constant—but never predictable.
So how do we make sure that we see it?
We make our hearts a sanctuary for His presence.
We remember the prayers we used to pray and we let that be soil for every seed we plant, even if only a mustard seed.

There is a path ahead. Praying that 2025 is a year where we become far more consumed with His presence than where the pathway leads. Only He knows but hasn’t life shown us? It is worthy of our everything.