Isaiah 46-50:11

Even in the midst of tragedy, we mustn't forget God loves us.

Perhaps, sometimes, He loves us in ways far beyond our understanding, but He's still there. Forever and for always.

Isaiah 46:3

Isaiah 49:5

Isaiah 49:25

"Since the day you were born, I have carried you along. I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe." -  Isaiah 46:3-4

Isaiah 26-33:24

Although this has been a very tough year, I still have a lot to be thankful for. Actually, I have never had quite this much to be thankful for.

One of the many blessings in my life right now happens to be a little girl whose middle name is Joy... and whose sweet spirit is helping me get through these months without my favorite aunt, whose name was also Joy.

God never gives us more than we can handle. Sometimes he gives us joy...

Joy © Leia Jobe, November 2012

Isaiah 10:6-12:6

Long, long day today, which started off wonderfully (albeit a bit chaotically) in a Church classroom full of adorable 2-year-olds. :)

I ROUTINELY spend time caring for large groups of little children, and I know what it is like to be in their midst. Sometimes you are swarmed with hugs and overwhelmed by the quiet peace of happy smiling children... other times you must sprint to lift a wayward child off of the top of a rickety table before they fall over backwards. It's the nature of childcare.

And so I am struck today by a couple of verses, but the one that absolutely captures my image-filled heart is this one:

"Leopards will lie down with young goats, and wolves will rest with lambs. Calves and lions will eat together and be cared for by little children." -Isaiah 11:6.

Can you imagine a lion in the midst of a classroom full of 2-year-olds? :) A calm lion?

I wish I had time today in my busy day to find a lion, photograph it, and photoshop it into a classroom full of kids... but you know, it still wouldn't be as incredible as the real thing. Can you imagine? A lion being cared for by a little child? And not just one... little children, plural. Have you ever seen 2-year-olds fight over tasks?

Imagining a group of little children caring for and feeding a lion just AMAZES me... I long for the peace and comfort of a moment like that, when wild animals are docile and trustworthy in the face of innocent children... I long for the peace of the One who can make that happen... I long for that day.

Meanwhile, (because photoshopping a picture of a lion into a classroom full of children just does not do any justice to the actual possibility), I focus today on this verse:

Isaiah 10:27

And again... I love the feeling of peace within these words.

Isaiah 1-10:5

I've been trudging through Isaiah with my very tired eyes for the better part of three hours now... and I keep pausing to collect my thoughts and come back to this verse, back near the very beginning: "I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over." - Isaiah 1:18. 

It's just incredible, on so many levels. 

Think about it.

Isaiah 1:18