"Wonderful"

It's that time again! Time for another blog post about this crazy, beautiful, amazing life God has given me here in the Dominican Republic. And you know what that means: I have been here for 3 months and it's a quarter through the year! I'm still trying to figure out how time has seemed to secretly slip away and we are already halfway through April.

The month of April has brought an exciting opportunity to participate in my first Velvet Ashes retreat, with the theme of GROW. In a connection group I have joined of other cross-cultural women, from all walks of life, we have been talking about the names of God and how they help us to deepen our understanding of who God is and who we are in Him.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

I read that this morning in our Facebook group and here I am hours later still thinking about this word, "Wonderful." "Maravilloso." This word is even in two of my favorite Bible verses:

"And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you." Luke 12:28

"I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

But reading this word today stopped me in my tracks and has me thinking of all the ways the Lord really is WONDERFUL!

In the midst of a crazy year with so much grieving, sadness, and change, He was wonderful in healing my soul. He was wonderful. He was wonderful in answering my prayers and in seeing my heart's desires. He was wonderful in creating this plan for this season of my life. He was wonderful in bringing me to these new friends and helping me to build relationships with them. He was wonderful in giving me the courage and strength I would pray for each day as I drove to school with feelings of anxiousness about my Spanish skills. He was wonderful in carrying me through each moment of fear.

And He IS wonderful! He is wonderful in how He cares for me and for you. He is wonderful in giving me guidance and confirmation when I don't realize I need it. He is wonderful in knowing what I desire before I even say it out loud. He is wonderful in all His ways. As I move forward into a new year of life in a couple weeks, I am choosing to dwell in the exciting wonder of the Lord. In His incomprehensible goodness. In His inspiring delight.

However you choose to call Him: Lord, Counselor, Almighty, Father, Dios... I want to challenge you with this point of reflection: What name of God are you currently reflecting on? Which one catches your attention in this season of life and why?

"You are wonderful, Lord, and You deserve all praise, because You are much greater than anyone can understand. Each generation will announce to the next Your wonderful and powerful deeds. I will keep thinking about Your marvelous glory and Your mighty miracles." Psalm 145:3-5