While watching the DVD of “Eat Pray Love” and minding my own business – the divine whisper spoke. “Womb.”
Womb? What could that mean – for me – now?
Only later, while journaling through my day did the interpretation penetrate the fog of my questioning.
While in this recovery mode, I am floating in God’s womb. He is Himself – taking care of me.
Isaiah 41:14, “Do not be afraid…for I myself will help you.”
So what is happening in this divine womb – this time of exceptional care?
Safety. Within this recovery period, I am safe in the pre-designed purpose of God. He is close and protective of me, guiding me – moving through each day with me.
Since it is his womb, I am moving as he moves, breathing his spirit and surrounded by his presence.
“The Spirit of God is arousing me from within…like a pregnant creation” (Romans 8:22 The Message Bible).
Nurture. The warmth of his presence and his nearness is a nurturing reminder of his love. This particular nurture involves the ultimate of his care.
As a result of his nurturing womb I am embraced by a cycle of growth and hope for the future.
Hope. Within his womb and the life being nurtured is a promise of the future. At some point, contractions will begin and life will burst forth.
Will it be the life of a new novel, the restoration of a gifting, a new location for retreat and study or perhaps a new version of the old me?
As long as I stay within the womb, hope will continue to grow.
Provision. Within the protective sac of the womb, provision grows the new life, allows it to flourish and find health.
My provisions center around financial needs as well as emotional healing – morsels God feeds me each day.
When I meet with him and ask for help, I am humbled by the bounty of his provision. He knows how much I need and exactly when to provide it.
As Joyce Meyer says, “Ask God for what you want. Trust him for what you need.”
Surprise. Even with our modern technologies, the contents of a womb can still offer surprises.
As a planner, I am not a fan of surprises – except when I write fiction and the characters delight me with something unusual.
But with God – I know his surprises are safe and acceptable. I can trust he will surprise me with something good.
I never expected to be in this place during this season of life. But God surprised me with definite guidance for this direction.
And because he knows exactly how to ease me into surprises, he once again underscores infinite love.
Love. Ultimately, the womb is a place of pure love. Like a cradle completely enclosed in warmth and safety, the womb guards what is to be born.
Within that protective boundary, nothing and no one can touch the fragile life being nurtured and prepared.
Although I don’t fully understand the depth of God’s nurturing for me, I do know his nearness signals a great heart filled with love.
And I look forward to whatever surprises he has for me – knowing they will bring a new life wrapped in hope.
©2017 RJ Thesman, Author of “Sometimes They Forget” and the Reverend G Trilogy
What a surprize! Reading about being in God’s womb at first made me very uncomfortable. But, as I read through your writing today I became more and more sure that this is a concept that is inspired by your experience and that will help me trust more and feel God’s protection and acceptance more. It is so precious to know that we are loved so deeply.
Thanks, Ginger. The womb idea seemed odd to me, too, but then – it became an expanded metaphor. Hope it continues to underscore God’s love for you.
A good reminder that hope is prescribed, tailored by Him, for every season. Thanks for this.
Thanks, Jerry. Staying in Hope – a constant discipline with joyful consequences.
Love the thought that hope can be a discipline…especially with joyful consequences. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for your encouragement, Cindy. Appreciate you.
I have another friend in similar circumstances and this will be such an encouragement to her. May you be blessed knowing that your journey can comfort and give hope to another. Psalm 31:21 Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was a city under siege.”
Thanks, Cindy. It’s always the cry of my heart that my words will touch someone else.
Another solid addition to the Hope series! I love the practical application of finding hope wherever you are, in whatever circumstance. Encouraging as always!
Thanks for the comment, Mike. Appreciate your faithful following.