At the end of an especially busy day, my husband exhorted me to enjoy some “me time.” And what do writers do when they have time to themselves? They write.

So I looked up this week’s Five Minute Friday prompt and wrote for 5 minutes in response to: Restore. Then I tucked my draft away, ate some chocolate ice cream, had a shower, and read some of Beth Vogt’s latest novel before forcing myself to put her book down and go to sleep.

When I woke the next morning, I wondered if I should bother with my Five Minute Friday post because I was already too busy. A few minutes later, while I was reading my Bible during quiet time, I noticed the word “restore” in the passage I was scheduled to read. Wow–how Providential. If you’re curious as to what verse showed up, keep reading. In the meantime, here’s my Five Minute Friday post:

(Timer started… )
Recently I said to my husband, “I’m amazed anyone could be thankful for suffering a severe trial.”
However, it was the reason why the person thanked God that made me believe she was telling the truth. She wasn’t being a Pollyanna, or trying to be a super spiritual martyr. She was genuine in her praise and thanksgiving to God.

So why would anyone be grateful for suffering?

She said she came closer to the Lord through her suffering because when she lost almost everything, she discovered Jesus was more than enough to make up for her losses.
She remained faithful to God and trusted Him. He showed up in special ways that caused her to be thankful for the things that happened to her, because they made her relationship with God deeper than ever before. Then our generous God gave her back more than she previously had. He blessed her health, her home, her finances, and her relationships.

He restored the harvest the hard years had eaten.

(Five minutes over.)

Are you curious about the verse I alluded to? Here it is:

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:4-6 NIV

And speaking of streams, here are some faithful words from “Streams in the Desert” that I read at the end of my exhausting day:

Dear Christian, remember to take good care of your faith,

for faith is the only way to obtain God’s blessings.

Faith honors God, and God honors faith.

The verse I picked out for my verse of the day is one that comes just before the above Bible passage:

The LORD has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3 NIV

Remembering and rejoicing in the great things God has done will restore our faith during difficult days.

within our desert
flows a refreshing river
the Living Water
restoring our hope
and filling us with great joy
~ wlm

Restoration Blessings ~ Wendy Mac

You’re invited to join the Five Minute Friday Fun here: Restore.

You’re also invited to read a post I shared on a Canadian writing site (It goes perfectly with today’s topic—of course—because God is good.): InScribe.