you are my hideaway

God knows exactly how much we can take, and exactly what we need, even better than we do ourselves.

the past month has been such a reminder of that truth. i've gone through challenges i never thought i'd be able to handle, i've felt totally exhausted and like i was running on empty... but He is faithful and His grace is sufficient. just when i think i'm about to burn out or crumble, little stolen pockets of time here, an encouraging word there - and i find enough to keep pressing on.

yesterday, i wasn't sure if i'd have to work through the public holiday. i'd been wanting to check out an amazing new little coffeehouse in ipoh, but i didn't want to get my hopes up. but thursday dawned bright... and it was off to ipoh! the entire day, from clear blue skies to clear stretches of highway, to a getaway from the city in a getaway car, from a quaint cafe named burps and giggles (and maybe a few actual burps and giggles), to books and journals, from great conversation over cups of coffee, to comfort food while watching a thunderstorm, from a quiet, sleepy 'lazy lane', to awe-inspiring thunder and lightning displays... everything in the day felt specially, uniquely, made for me. crafted with my name on it.

i asked for a break... but wow... little did i expect it to be such a 'me' kind of break! i was reminded again that not only does God give enough grace, strength, and love for each day... but there are times He also gives exceedingly, abundantly, more than enough.

yesterday was such a reminder of what it means to be His child. as a loving parent, He will never spoil us, and is always trying to teach us something new and help us grow out of our comfort zones. there are times we feel stretched, and tested and it seems almost beyond what we think we can bear.

yet at the same time, He is the same God who also wants to shower us so lavishly with good gifts. yet He won't do it before bringing me through a journey first... so that when He actually gives me those gifts, i know how to appreciate them. what a waste it would be to have all the finest things in the world... and be so oblivious to the source of all of them.

"You are my hiding place." -Psalm 32:7