Psalm 1:2-3 “Blessed is the man who delights in the teachings of the Lord and reflects on his teaching day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does.”

In recent years, I have learned that the key to stepping outside of my comfort zone relies on several things. First, sticking close and immersing myself in the scriptures so that I am walking close and hearing the Holy Spirit as He leads me. Sometimes, it is praying through each step. Sometimes it leads to the second thing…just taking the next step.

As my girls finish up their last day of standardized testing of this school year, I am reflecting in Chick-Fil-A with coffee in hand and my fingers letting my heart spill.

What an overwhelming feeling it is to look back and know that this time last year Kevin and I were praying through this new step into homeschooling, and made the decision to hear the Holy Spirit’s nudging to know that this was part of His plan. It gives me those Jesus chills to turn my head to look back and see His hand as apart of it all. EVERY PART OF IT ALL! The good, the bad and the ugly. You know there is always that part {the ugly} included when you are being chiseled into something God desires rather than what we desire. The good is easy to talk about, but the bad and the ugly is harder to reckon with.

I have learned that no matter what, when I don’t know what the answer is or even where to turn for answers – that sitting with my friend Jesus and knowing that He will direct me makes me breathe easier. And then we’ll see the fruit of it all when its done.

{sounds easy…but its not.}

I was sharing with a friend about how hard it is when you know God has you in a chiseling phase and you actually see that God is a good God and He knows what He is doing; however, somehow you say in your prayers, “Well…could you speed up this process a bit please?!”

I smile as my friend looks at me and says, “Now, Amy…you know the answer to that!”

Humph! I know….but walking in those tennis shoes isn’t fun while you are in the race.

So, I go back to my Psalm 1 scripture.

“He is like a tree planted beside streams – a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does.”

I know that by first delighting in the Lord and his teachings day and night {even in the good, the bad and the ugly} and that planting myself beside the streams {of LIVING WATER} that Fruit will come and the leaves will not wither and…

I will succeed in everything I do.

I don’t know if I have succeeded this year, but God sure has! I just planted myself beside those streams of His Word and have allowed Him to produce the fruit in my family and me.

He does things like that just to bless me.

Today I read in Jesus Calling…

“Begin each day anticipating problems, asking me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember, that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world.”

Are you looking for what it means to be planted at the streams of Living Water? To be equipped in His living Presence? Revival starts with you. Getting on your knees and realizing that the God of the Universe loves you and hears your prayers. But more importantly, He absolutely adores it when we sit at His feet and soak in His Word. Then you will produce fruit and be successful…with Him leading you.

Here is a song that I have loved listening to recently…Hope it encourages you to go plant yourself by His stream. Email subscribers click here to view.

Check back later this week and I want to share a way to sit at the Savior’s feet and feel those fresh waters of scripture wash over you to revive you on your knees.

On My Knees,