Ruined for Normal

I was sitting on my back patio. I couldn’t believe how nice it felt outside for August 1st. I live in Texas. August is usually opressive. Hot and humid. Not tonight. This night ushered in cooler temps and a nice breeze.

I took it in; took it all in. The twinkly tights. The cicadas singing their summer song. The dogs laying in the grass. The beauty of blooming flowers. The evening sky shifting from cobalt blue to fiery orange and purple as the sun sets. I finally felt at peace. Finally. I’ve had moments here and there these past six months, but this moment felt like it was going to stay. This peace was going to stick around awhile.

What is “it?” Normal. What is normal exactly? I’ve heard many say that this is our “new normal” or “we can’t go back to normal.” At first, both of these statements made my insides twist and churn. I didn’t like their words. I didn’t like the new normal I was witnessing. It didn’t seem right. Unfinished. Yet, I felt the shift; the movement from everything we ever knew as real burst wide open shattering to the ground.

Everything I knew to be real and true, gone. Norms for my children like school and sports and what they need to do to be a good human and become a successful adult, wiped out. The government suddenly too powerful and not normal at all. The people I thought were good are exposed. History unchained and broken. My trust placed in all the wrong places. Everything shattered. The broken pieces falling to the ground became a glorious sound.

Isaiah 43:18

    “Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old."

Isiah 43:19

     "Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
      I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert."

Revelation 21:5

     And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am         making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 

Whenever I think of a new world or a new way, I always think of Heaven. As a Christian, a follower of Jesus, I know that ultimately, this is not my home. I long for true peace accepting that I will find it on the other side. I so quickly forget Jesus’ words: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 What if we’ve been living a lie this whole time. Life wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t all it could be. And we accepted that. We accepted the lies, deceit, suffering, and unfairness as normal completely forgetting that Jesus came to give us life in abundance. What if it could all be better? So much better.

 John 10:10   
     The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have        come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As I sat on my patio taking in the glorious summer night, I finally felt at rest. Peace in the depths of my soul. I am ruined for normal; never to be the same again. Thank God.

Your Kingdom Come.

Your Will Be Done.

On Earth.

As It Is In Heaven.