“Wellspring” Seventh Anniversary and Birthday Edition

Today I have the joy and privilege of celebrating the seventh anniversary of Wellspring of Life and our granddaughter Rielyn turning seven years old. They were birthed the same Sunday on May 2, 2010.

‘RJ’ is growing into a cutie beauty as evidenced by the photo collage. I love these annual snapshots because they confirm that change and development are occurring, not unlike Wellspring. Grandma Nanc’s heart has a special place for this one – as it does for all my grandchildren (with another grandson arriving in August!) – but Rielyn Jolene still holds the title of ‘only granddaughter’ so far. The Lord knows how many will round out our generational quiver.

Anniversaries and birthdays are, in my regard, the equivalent of stones of remembrance of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Each anniversary post I write sets up another memorial stone as Joshua did in the middle of the Jordan, which stones are still there to this day. (Joshua 4:9) ) I trust what is of the Lord delivered through Wellspring will endure for eternity.

F.B. Meyer cut to the chase when he stated what should be obvious in the crossing of the Jordan:

The presence of the Ark alone restrained the piled-up waters.
Thus Jesus stands between us and whatever would overwhelm us…

In July 2010, a few months after beginning Wellspring of Life, I found myself plunged into a long, hard season of a second bout with cancer. I could not know at the outset that I had simultaneously embarked upon discovering treasures of darkness (the link to posts written during that time) the Lord had waiting for me. The Presence of the Lord alone restrained and stood between me and what threatened my life.

Back then and over the past seven years I’ve felt a particular kinship to Joshua, who in obedience did as the Lord instructed him and remained faithful ‘…until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to tell the people…,’  As a result, Joshua and all those with him witnessed the miraculous, mighty, protective, delivering power of the Lord. Abba’s love and grace knows no bounds – just safe boundaries.

Today completes another installment of the seven year cycle I wrote of in Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places in August 2010. In the midst of Decision-ville and by faith setting up my first memorial stone, I’ve found the Lord no less faithful than He was to Joshua and the children of Israel thousands of years ago.

As I contemplate the new year waiting in the wings for Wellspring, I know a few things and don’t know a whole lot more. I do know the message of Vineyard Days is a work in progress. This is where that affinity with Joshua especially comes into play: paraphrased, the remaining faithful ‘until everything is finished that the Lord commands Nancy to tell the people’. In this case, completing the message He is still giving. Sometimes another thread gets taken up for a bit, but then it’s time to return to the vineyard.

To those who continue to journey alongside Wellspring of Life, thank you. I don’t often know who reads what I write, but Holy Spirit does. My prayer for seven years has been that He see to it, by whatever means or people, that these posts reach His intended audience. One day I hope to be joyfully surprised at what He has accomplished in and through this wellspring’s writing heart.

Between these yearly anniversary posts is the ongoing digging deeper and reaching higher for which the message of Vineyard Days is best known. The cultivating process has its own cycles. And its own fruit. It is for fruit that remains that I choose to continue as a wellspring of life for the Lord and those He loves. That includes you.

So, with a grateful heart for these past seven years – I am

Grandma Nanc & Gracefully Free

~ Happy 7th Birthday, sweetie Rielyn Jolene!
and
To my Beloved, all I am and hope to be on our 7th Anniversary of Wellspring of Life ~

P.S. The previous two anniversary posts are linked below if you’d like to linger a little longer.

Wellspring Sixth Anniversary and Birthday Edition
Wellspring Fifth Anniversary and Birthday Edition

Shammahs Field LLC/Shammah Ministries is the biblical counseling, life coaching, and spiritual growth ministry entrusted to Wayne & Nancy Bentz. You can learn more about the resources they have to offer here at shammahsfield.com and nancybentz.com.