Restore. Restoring. Restoration.

Restore. Restoring. Restoration. These are words that seem to keep coming at me the last couple of weeks. I try not to do new year’s resolutions, or even a focus word for the year. But, this word, Restoration, keeps planting itself in each of my days lately. It seems God is giving me a word for this year. A promise of restoration. Heck, yeah! I could definitely use some restoration! How about you?!?

Past

My husband and I are like most people out there. We’ve experienced a lot with other humans though the years. There have been times when we’ve been able to help others by simply giving in their time of need. Those are instances when you give freely, no strings attached, with no expectation of anything in return, ever. Those are awesome times when we’re able to help people like that. Other times, we’ve reached a mutual agreement to help out, with some form of reciprocation (repayment in funds or help) in the future. It really should be that simple. Right?

Yep, we’ve experienced the good. Unfortunately, we’ve also experienced the bad, and some of the absolutely ugly sides of humanity. I try to believe that ultimately most people are NOT evil or functioning with malicious intent. Maliciousness aside, I think most people are simply indifferent to the personal plight of others. They just don’t consider others fully when proceeding through the tasks of everyday life.

Those People….

Even worse, with some people it goes beyond that. For those people, even though you speak directly, honestly, and specifically, they proceed with using and abusing your kindness and help. Sometimes it seems downright habitual. Such has been our case. We’ve been used and abused. Figuratively beaten and abandoned, if you will. Dare we say anything? Yep. You guessed it. It suddenly becomes our fault. Our misunderstanding. They dismiss our concerns as if all previous discussions and agreements never happened.

Therefore, over time, we slowly withdrew. Charity aside, we slowly, gradually, quit putting ourselves out there in mutual agreements with others. We’ve become extremely protective of where, and with whom, we give of our time and resources. Part of this process is simply growing in wisdom. But, admittedly, there’s a whole other part that’s completely motivated by self preservation. Sad, but true.

Present

So, over the years, that has become our normal mode of operation. We now listen carefully to what people are asking for, and offering, when they are in need. Whether they’re actually asking directly for our help or not. We listen. We pray. And we decide what we’re ok with doing for or offering them. Ultimately, if it comes to down to it, are we ok with never getting paid back in any way for what we’ve given. I mean are we really, REALLY ok with that?

You see, when you give to other people, it’s not just them on the line. YOU are also on the line. What exactly did you agree to? What are your own expectations? Did you pay attention to their verbal context of consent? Did they actually SAY they’d pay you back, or return the favor? This is the point of contention we found ourselves in from time to time. THIS is part of what we learned to listen to. And also where we learned of our own participation in the downfall of the outcomes.

Here We Are

Regardless, we proceed now with wisdom and caution. And peace. We follow the peace. We have to have peace over the whole situation. But, still the losses of the past are plentiful. And painful. The wounds still hurt if we let them. Throughout the years we’ve lost in the thousands of dollars, probably tens of thousands even, by helping or being taken advantage of by others. And that monetary value doesn’t consider the time and things we’ve given in the name of helping others.

The losses can be truly upsetting if we let them. We choose not to focus on the losses, only the good that we were able to foster in helping our fellow man. But, now, there’s this word flashing before me constantly. Restore. Restoring. Restoration.

Future

This word in my face, Restore, gives me hope. In every instance it comes before me it is referring to losses being restored. God is restoring everything your enemy has stolen. And you are now entering a season of full restoration. Wow.

Restoration is definitely coming. I can feel it within my bones. It’s like the Holy Spirit vibrates to life within me every time I see or hear any variation of the word restore. Hope. A hope for the future. A fully restored future.

I saw this meme with the scripture Joel 2:25 floating about Facebook. Separately, a pastor was preaching on God doing a new thing this year in 2019, including restoring what the enemy has stolen throughout your years. Radio DJs talking about restoration. Ive heard it everywhere including books, music, radio, pod-casts, and on, and on. I can’t even recall everywhere I’ve heard or seen those words.

Restore. Restoring. Restoration. And what exactly will be restored??? Since we never kept a full, hard record…. We really have no idea what “being fully restored” will entail. It really boggles the mind.

Dictionary.com defines Restore as:

1. To bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order.

2. To bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.

3. To bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.

4. To put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc.: to restore the king to his throne.

5.To give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).

6. To reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct animal, etc.) in the original state.

That’s a lot of ways to be restored!!! Am I ready? You bet’cha! How about you? Could you use some restoration yourself? Is this word “Restore” making your “baby” leap within you? Go ahead, turn toward God and ask Him to fulfill this word of restoration within your own life. I can’t wait to see what this year brings. Even better, I can’t wait to see what is restored. Let’s do this!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Have something to add? Hit the comments and share. Thanks! Talk to you soon!

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