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wren's avatar

What is “it” that gets better? - the answer surprised me - what has gotten better has been my awareness of Who God is, His attributes, why He is the Rock on which my faith rests. Now if the dreams change, if they materialize differently than I had imagined they would, I hear Job’s words echo in my mind: “Too wonderful for me.” God has purposes so far greater than I can imagine. Detours in my little dreams may lead toward “Thy kingdom come.” Come quickly, Lord.

Aberdeen Livingstone's avatar

Yes! You're so right - often what "gets better" is actually my trust in God and ability to see how He is moving even in disappointment. It has been marvelous to see how He has also given me material things I wanted (and even many I didn't know to ask for), but I don't want to forget the sweetness of finding God amidst loss and realizing that was enough. I love how you phrased this: "Detours in my little dreams may lead toward 'Thy kingdom come.'" Amen. Thank you for these thoughts. <3

Bethany H.W.'s avatar

This is beautiful Aberdeen. As someone just beginning to escape similar doubts and fears, this is deeply resonating. I love the vision of a simple life you have in the poem.

Aberdeen Livingstone's avatar

Thank you so much, Bethany. It's always encouraging to know what I write resonates, and I'm also happy that you're moving into a season of hope & abundance despite whatever has happened. <3 It's such gift to live a simple life, isn't it?

Natalie Curro's avatar

Another beautiful poem! I love this part “you will be the anchor

and not always

the sloshing sea”

Aberdeen Livingstone's avatar

Thank you, Natalie! I love knowing which particular lines resonate!

Viola Gray's avatar

"It amazes me—it probably shouldn’t—that despite the goodness of God that I have seen in the land of the living, I still fear that it will be taken away" — Oh, I feel that all too deeply. But what a beautiful poem, and also a reminder to look back and remember all the goodness of God that I have already seen. May we be ever more fully aware of his mercy this year!

Aberdeen Livingstone's avatar

I'm glad I'm not the only one haha. But also yes, I love that - here's to being more fully aware of his mercy!

John Livingstone's avatar

Lovely poem, Aberdeen. I'm honored that I earned another shout out! I pray that you will cling more to the promise that God can restore the years the locusts have eaten than the "what if" of the reality that sometimes he doesn't. Either way, he loves you, will sustain you, and will provide good things along the way.

Aberdeen Livingstone's avatar

You deserve a lot of shoutouts for how you walked with me through all of this. ;) Thank you for all your encouragement - and I'm praying the same for you too.