Unfolding. I just love this word. Even the sound of it seems to unfold and flow off my tongue…
U.n.f.o.l.d.i.n.g.
Unfolding. Unveiling. Revealing…
One.Tiny.Step.At.A.Time.
Life is a process.
Change is a process.
Transition is a process.
And the unfolding can be a beautiful part of the process.
It can be exciting.
The mystery of it can fill me with anticipation.
The certainty of it can fill me with peace.
But the unfolding it can also seem painfully slow.
While things certainly will unfold, the wait can be frustrating.
I can be fickle and frail. I can grow anxious in the midst of the process—especially when I try to anticipate what’s next, rather than simply…
flowing …
breathing…
living…
being…
And moving with Him.
Make no mistake about it: Things are unfolding. A red carpet is being rolled out. The way is being made…
One.Tiny.Step.At.A.Time.
One step at a time…embracing both the mystery and majesty of His ways…leaning into the arms of my Beloved…
I’ll watch as the beauty of His glory unfolds.
**************
Unfolding. This has been such an important word for me in the past year or two. Over and over again, I’ve sensed His sweet whispers exhorting me to trust, to believe…and to simply enjoy the process. Transition is not typically viewed as enjoyable but there is such freedom in giving yourself permission to be in the process. Really it is giving yourself permission to be okay with not having the answers. Trial and error is okay. Up and down is okay. Not knowing what’s next is okay. Just stay in His embrace and He will lead the way.
To say I’ve felt a little fickle over the past few years would be an understatement. But He often sees things quite differently than I do. He seems to think that so many of the things I’ve seen as fickle, or lacking in commitment to a certain course of action, have actually been what “occupying” has looked like in the season.
There are times we can be super intentional because we KNOW our path, but for quite some time I haven’t had a ton of direction pertaining to outward specifics. More than anything, my sense has been that He has wanted me to simply abide and do what my hand finds to do. For a person who values commitment to the extreme, and who does long to be “intentional” with my one and only life, this has been a difficult adjustment. I want to feel like I’m having impact and accomplishing something. Even if it’s an illusion, the feeling is nice!
But a funny thing has happened during the unfolding. As I look back, I realize a lot has been done—in me, and even through me. The road has looked like a tangled mess of ups,downs, u-turns, spins, sprints, crawls, and sometimes standing completely still (in fact, sometimes standing still can accomplish more than anything else), but it is going somewhere. The path is unfolding.
I’m enjoying the journey. Not perfectly. Not every moment. Not every day. But more than I ever have, I am enjoying the journey. I’m learning to see the perfection of His timing and the beauty of His ways. I’m learning to love the picture He’s painting—it’s so much more beautiful and glorious than the one I would have hastily slapped together. I’m learning again (and again and again and again) to simply enjoy Him.
And I am filled with joy and anticipation as the journey continues to unfold.
Cindy Powell 
Just brilliant! And a much needed reminder this morning! Thank you!
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I’m so glad it was an encouragement! There really is such beauty in the unfolding of His ways. Much grace and joy to you on the journey!
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Absolutely beautiful Cindy. It’s so good to hear words that echo what’s been going on in my heart and life. Yes, unfolding is a perfect word and finding soul rest in the midst of it is worth all the waiting and all the trials we go through in our journey. Only God can orchestrate the events of our life and in the world that will one day find its completion in His perfect plan and promise. What a wonderful thought to cushion our heads and hearts upon when we lie down to sleep at night and to awake on the morning with the peace that passes all understanding. What a Gracious God. How I long to reflect His grace, love, and patience to the world around me.
Blessings to you dear sister.
By the way I love the new look for your website!
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Thank you Glenda 🙂 Resting in Him is the best, isn’t it? I posted a quote recently that said, “You can’t experience the peace that passes understanding until you give up your right to understand.” Pretty much sums it up. And thanks for noticing the changes (yet again, ha ha!)–one of my “fickle” areas in recent years. But I have a new professional site I’ll be launching in a couple of weeks (along with a new book that is more geared toward my profession), and in case anyone refers back here I wanted it to look a little more professional — yet still simple and still me — if all that makes any sense! Blessings and hugs to you!
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“I’m learning again (and again and again and again) to simply enjoy Him.”
It is a journey, Cindy. And in the journey, He raises us up, He matures us, He leads us through the twists and turns when we fail to hear His voice. And ultimately, He loves us unconditionally every step of the way.
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Amen and amen. So simply and beautifully stated, Susan, Although, personally I think the twists and turns are a big part of the journey and not necessarily a result of failing to hear His voice. I think finding peace and joy through the twists and turns, even when you have been pressing in to listen and follow, is a huge part of learning to simply trust and be. Regardless of what path takes us through the twists and turns, the very best thing is what you’ve so eloquently stated–He loves us unconditionally every step of the way ❤ Blessings!
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–“There are times we can be super intentional because we KNOW our path, but for quite some time I haven’t had a ton of direction pertaining to outward specifics. More than anything, my sense has been that He has wanted me to simply abide and do what my hand finds to do. For a person who values commitment to the extreme, and who does long to be “intentional” with my one and only life, this has been a difficult adjustment.”
Well, amen and amen! Thanks for a timely word, Cindy. After many years of having a definite focus and specific goals, now I have a lot more questions than answers about what I am supposed to be “doing” other than simply “being” available for whatever is at hand. It is unsettling and disorienting. I am doing my best to embrace the mystery of this season, but it is a challenge. Thanks for speaking out and giving hope.
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Hi Teresa, So good to hear from you! It does feel a bit unsettling, doesn’t it? I love that He calls us to faithfulness rather than any particular version of success (including our own), but still it always feels so much better when we have specific direction (or at least when we think we do 🙂 ) I’ve discovered that I’m often in a hurry to get somewhere when Jesus just wants to take a walk with me. I’m so grateful He is so incredibly patient with me and that His grace abounds in every season. Praying for that same abounding grace and mercy to you as you take a walk with Him–I’m sure that before you know it, you discover you’re moving along on exactly the right path! Love and hugs to you ❤
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