Three years ago, I taped four pieces of paper to my bedroom door.
Before I face the day, I come face-to-face with a calendar from 2016.
Here we are at the close of 2018, and I’m still standing in front of these pages, stumbling out of bed and rubbing sleep from my eyes on a chilly December morning, whispering the words I know by heart.
Each month features a specific verse beautifully lettered by Jenn Tucker, one of the designers behind many of the (in)courage images you know and love (and the artist who turned one of the quotes from Even If Not into the stunning print on the far left). I’ve turned the verses (listed below) into a short statement that I repeat as I reach for the doorknob and begin the day. It goes like this:
“I can trust everything He does, for He goes before me and behind. I am merely a moving shadow and all my busy rushing ends in nothing. My only hope is found in Him.”
I said it this morning. I’ll say it again tomorrow. Through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, those words of truth have been a constant and a comfort.
When I don’t understand and I can’t see what’s coming next . . . I can trust everything He does.
When I feel unsure and alone . . . He goes before me and behind.
When I’m overwhelmed . . . He gently reminds that it’s my heart that He wants, not my performance or a completed to-do list.
When I’m worn out or searching for a light in the darkness . . . He is my hope.
For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
Psalm 33:4 (NLT)
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Psalm 139:5 (NLT)
We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
Psalm 39:6a (NLT)
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Psalm 39:7 (NLT)
As we look toward a new year, I’ve found myself pausing each morning and swallowing back the lump in my throat as I whisper, “He goes before me and behind.”
I desperately need that to be true. I need to believe that He’s making a way and clearing a path. I need to believe that He’s redeeming all things for good, even when I can’t see it just yet. I need to believe that He’ll be with me no matter what tomorrow may bring.
December will fade into January, and we’ll put the ornaments away as the year wraps up. We’ll look toward the future with hope or fear or a mix of the two. After all, seasons change and jobs shift and we pack houses and close our books after finals end. We say difficult goodbyes and joyful hellos and eventually winter will turn to spring as change comes again. But through all of it, He remains. His love is constant, sure, secure — unchanging.
He didn’t stay in the manger and He didn’t stay in the grave, but He did promise to be with us through every high and low. He is Emmanuel, the God who comes and stays and isn’t confined to a calendar page.
When winter melts into spring and the places that seemed barren and empty suddenly explode with life and joy . . . Emmanuel, God with us.
When the days stretch endlessly on and the sun beats down and it all seems like one long cycle of wash-rinse-repeat . . . Emmanuel, God with us.
When the leaves fall and our tears fall and everything around falls apart . . . Emmanuel, God with us.
When hope is buried deep and yet all is washed clean as the world quiets and learns to wait with anticipation . . . Emmanuel, God with us.
Bitter and sweet, laughter and mourning, darkness and light, dead ends and new beginnings and messy middles full of ordinary days — in all of it, there He is, faithful as always.
He is the way-maker and the promise-keeper and so although we may not know what’s coming our way and 2019 may hold more questions than answers, we can trust that He’ll be with us through every change.
Look before you, He is making a way. Look behind you, He has been there the whole time. Look to your right and to your left, He is with you now.
May we dare to say that He is beautiful and true, loving and kind, no matter what story the next page may tell. May we trust the unknown of the future to the God we know is authoring its pages.
Here’s to 2019, to new beginnings, fresh mercies, a blank page and an unchanging God.
I invite you to say it with me today: We can trust everything He does, for He goes before us and behind. We are merely moving shadows; all our busy rushing ends in nothing. Our only hope is found in Him.
For additional Scripture references, take a few moments this week to read through the following: Exodus 13:21, Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 45:2, Isaiah 52:12, Psalm 136:16, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:38-39, Hebrews 13:5
Look before you, He is making a way. Look behind you, He has been there the whole time. Look to your right and to your left, He is with you now. - @kaitlyn_bouch: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Kaitlyn,
What beautiful and TRUE scripture to quote. I find when I claim God’s promises out loud, it helps His TRUTH to resonate with my soul. I am so thankful He goes before us; He comes behind us; He hems us in with His ever present self. One of my favorite words in the Bible is lovingkindness. When I type it, spell check always want to correct it into two words, but God says that He is compassionate, slow to anger, and filled with lovingkindness. I cling to the Truth that God cannot deny himself. He IS love and therefore He always acts in loving ways toward us. I love this quote from “The Greatest Gift” by Ann Voskamp: “We are not spared of all trials, but we are spared of the trials that have no gifts.” I can honestly say that every trial and crucible I’ve been through has ultimately carried with it, a gift. God is an expert at bringing beauty from ashes. Praying for you Kaitlyn for a year filled with health, wholeness, and a deep sense of God’s presence before you, behind you, and holding onto your hand as He walks with you.
Blessings,
Bev xx
What a lovely quote! Thanks for sharing it, Bev.
Kaitlyn,
This is great wisdom to start each day with the truth of God. I need to instill God’s truth into me daily. We all do. We never know what to expect around the corner. Thankfully God is there mentoring us on this journey. He gives us clouds & sunshine in daytime & then fire & moonlight at night. When life throws curve balls at you & it will we can rest assured that He is there giving us hope. Each trial comes with a special gift wrapped in His loving goodness. God is & always has been here for us, No matter the time or place. He foreknew all that is happening to us. We can take heart in the promises of God. We can stand strong & courageous for He is with us never leaving or forsaking us. He is great at making beauty from ashes. Praying for all in 2019. May you be healthy, happy & grow spiritually. Be richly blessed.
Blessings 🙂
Thanks, so much.. I pray that God will bless you all and water the garden of your souls as you have been…so gracious & loving to water ‘Ours’
Yes sister! God is with us not against us! What extravagant love we’ve been given \0/ I needed this reminder today as my flesh is fighting for the win.. But God has won for me and I need to claim it!! Hope is my word and Do will follow! Blessings to and through you!
Kaitlyn, thank you for this. I went through each of the verses listed at the end – Romans 8 is especially my favorite. This was my church this morning as I was not able to attend. Thank you again.
I love that you did that! Romans 8 is one of my personal favorites, too.
What beautiful words Kaitlyn! I love that you start your day with those promises and truths. You are such an encouragement and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your truths and baring your soul so others can do the same. You’re a blessing.
As are you, Susan! Thanks for being an encouraging voice.
Kaitlyn,
Thank-you for your comforting words .
Blessings to all,
Penny
Thank you for a great reminder of who our savior is! You have truly been inspired by the Holy spirit to share with us how we can all go boldly into our future. Thank you and God bless you
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you for your wise and comforting and yes, encouraging words of wisdom…reference by the Holy Scriptures. Need to keep this “message” taped to the mirror and read each day (along with the Word of God)! You are a Blessing!
Terrie
I have two messages taped to my bathroom mirror, too! 🙂
Beautiful, Kaitlyn.
I loved the way you motivated me to think about the new year.
I’ll pray for you and yours to have a blessed 2019.
Marinalva
Thank you for sharing. A beautiful reminder that He surrounds us and is always with us. Praying you all have a blessed new year.
He goes before us and behind us. What perfect truth to claim at the start of every day. Yes. Clinging with you, friend.
Kaitlyn,
I loved this post. It is an encouragement to me this morning.