Author J. Conard

Comfortably, my calico Patches sat on the small step ladder in front of an open bedroom window.  Perfectly elevated, she scanned for movement outside the apartment. Occasionally, tension sat in her haunches, indicating something caught her interest. Snorts followed the beat of her thudding tail as if saying, “No nonsense!”

Sitting in front of my computer, a blank document stared back at me. Words, thoughts, and feelings were generated. Where do I find the turn-on valve so what’s inside can flow and become a message? For a moment, I sat with my eyes fixed again on my calico’s warrior mentality.

So, it began. The blanket document became clothed with a message of hope. My cat revealed her territorial instinct when something unwanted became too close to our domain. God is very protective of His children.

Trials, temptations, and closed doors aren’t abandonment. Trials become a soldering tool that seems valuable to kingdom warriors. Temptation escalates a resilience in us we’ve never encountered. A friend and I discussed drawing closer to God and regaining ground. Desolate places become sacred ground, holy ground. Now, I understand more than ever how important our spiritual deserts and valleys are. Ruble, deadness, and absence are swallowed up when we invite Jesus on the journey. Stagnation flees when we speak, “God, I’m weak, but You are strong in me.” The overpowering stench from the drought will fade upon the arrival of The Lily of the Valleys.”

Beloved, it’s going to look as if nothing good is emerging. Speaking from experience, I understand. Overwhelming circumstances target every ounce of hope, swollen eyes reveal a broken heart, numbness sets in dulling senses, and desertion continually screams, “You are all alone! Nobody Cares!” Don’t entertain it, not even for a moment!

Jesus says, “I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons.”

We must declare, “I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.” Song of Solomon 2: 1-6 KJV Make these places Holy Ground; it’s your domain. One day, you’ll be able to see evidence of God’s power when you didn’t!

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