Look Closely Now: There Is Light All Around

Sometimes the internet seems loud. There’s so much advice and so many books. Even the good stuff can become overwhelming. But Jennifer Camp’s words always quiet my head and heart. She reminds me to be still and listen to God.

Jennifer lives in California, but I’m so grateful we’ve connected across this big ‘ole country. How she says things, how she shares what she’s heard from God, and the heart behind the words have blessed me so. And now some of those words are bound up in a beautiful book. 

“Loop: What Women Need to Know” is a one-year, twice-a-week devotional for busy women hungry to hear God’s voice right to their hearts. The books is full of devotions that have showed up in my inbox and that I know will quiet your soul. 

Purchase “Loop” by this Friday, Dec. 5 and receive six art downloads to print out and hang in your home or give to your friends for Christmas. Or purchase 10 or more copies and receive the new audio book of “Loop” by Feb. 1. (Just email Jennifer the receipt at jennifer@gatherministries.com.)

And, now, a guest post from Jennifer … 

_______
I walk through dirt path this morning, my friend’s little girl calling loud, “Come with me! Come this way!” Her little boots scuff crisp leaves and fallen acorns. She finds two pine cones on a picnic bench – her strong, determined fingers grasping hold and flinging fast. I stay close, watching wisps of fine hair flow behind as she pumps little arms and trudges uphill.

Deep breath.

Yellow sunlight shines bright through leafless trees. Rays of gold, warmth raining hope. I remember, a few days ago, how words – sweet whispers – came fast.

This is not the end, you know. Even though, this day, it may feel like it. This is the day I begin again. The day I begin again in you. 

Your weariness is only temporary. Your sadness is fleeting, even though it feels like it will never end, never subside, never go away. You, my love, are sunshine. You are kisses of light upon flower petals when they stretch for light, for Me. I’m here.

{From “Loop: What Women Need To Know“}

I lift her into the swing. Thick black anchors her in and she leans forward, eyes closed, cheeks crinkled, smile wide. “I’m flying!” Her hands grip the front of her seat and she leans forward, then back. “Higher!” And my hands reach, pressing to the swing, and let go. She soars away and back, head down now, watching her feet scuff the tanbark when she lets them stretch long.

I’m here.

In moments. In light. In shoes scuffed. In paths unmarked. In whispers. In laughter. In wonder. In tears.

“I am present, my daughter. I kiss your face with my hope. I grasp hold of sorrow with a single hand and I usher it away, bit by bit. I know you want it washed away with a quick brush, a dashing movement. I could do that. But I want you to look to Me, now, child. I want you to wait on Me and recognize Me when I come for you. I want you to practice recognizing beauty and hope.”

I lift her out of the swing. It is time to head back.

I want you to wait on moments where hope feels too far away to imagine it as real. And then I want you to throw out doubt, just throw it out to the depths of hell, where sin was cast with the last breath of my Son’s words, choosing Me, seeking Me, looking to Me.

Practice recognizing beauty and hope? Practice seeing You? My efforts, my practicing – will be enough, then? I begin again, this day, by looking to You? By trusting You? By waiting and practicing recognizing You, all around? Will You show me then what You so readily see?

I cannot stop loving you. I cannot stop. I cannot stop chasing you, pursuing you, looking for you. Oh, girl, you are not my lost one. You are not hopeless or far from Me. I am here, and I come to hold you and lift your head to the light shining brightly on your face. Do you see it? Do you see how light comes to shine? Do you see how it came for you and how it rescued you and how light shines through all darkness so darkness, with Me close, is no more?

You will let me take steps toward You, and I will reach You. You are here. I look to You and wait. I look to You and do not remain passive, powerless, overwhelmed. You give me tools–your grace and strength within me to throw out lies. I don’t have to stay here, weary and sad. I don’t have to stay here, hopeless and lost.

Your power within me, your grace within me. Emmanuel. You are here. You are what is true. … But I am scared. I fear I will soon, again, feel so alone.

Do you know how all shadows are chased away with a choice to see Me? You can do this. You can see Me. You can see Me moving you, one step at a time, from this place where you feel you need rescue and I show you how I have already come and I come again. I never stop coming for you, my daughter. You are not alone, and it is not too late, and you have not done anything to chase Me away. You cannot chase Me away.

I am not lost. You have found me. I am not hopeless, shrouded in darkness. You lift my head. I look to You, and You help me see You. I surrender to You, and You show me your light. I claim your power in me – breaking agreements with darkness and sin and shadows – and You fill me. I choose You and wait on You, and You are here. I begin.

You are beloved and holy because I have made you so. You are lovely and clean because I have made you that way. You are brand new and adored and shame cannot find you. Find your name written on my hand; respond to my voice; know the name called out to you, in the light – my voice calling out when darkness feels all around but I show you I am here. In the light. Darkness isn’t around Me. And you are with Me. So darkness is not there, too.

I need You desperately, Father, and this desperation is my strength. I cry out to You, and You carry me, showing me I have what it takes to stand. You have come for me and come again. You never leave me and never forsake me and pursue me with a passion and intensity I don’t deserve.

But I desire You, and I receive You.

Yes, I receive You.

Yes, I see You.

Yes, come again.

Light all around my love. Light all around.

What helps you to see? How do you remember, in whatever you are facing, you are not alone?

Jennifer Camp is the author of the newly released “Loop: What Women Need to Know.” You can also find Jennifer writing regularly at her blog, youaremygirls.com, and holyentanglement.com, a blog she writes with her husband, Justin, about the hot mess of a holy marriage. 

________
Want more stories? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”