“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses,” Isaiah 63:7 KJV.

“Everything is going to be okay,” my husband said. 

And I remember this when I think about Lavern. She’s a Sheep Dog that drives the Jeep at the farm we frequent. She’s always sitting behind the steering wheel when I see her. She doesn’t really drive—mostly she rides, I think.

Although her black and white hair is untamed, messy, she seems entirely unfazed. There’s a reason she owns the day. The road. Quite possibly her own vehicle, evidently. Her stare is solid—while her eyes tell me too, “It’s all going to be okay.”

And it is.

We Are Secure

Learning the way God thinks and feels about us can change the way we see ourselves. Also, the way we see our circumstances, no matter how not okay they might be. Once we dive in deeper to God’s truth, into His promises, our perspective falls into that place of peace. Unlike Lavern’s untamed hair, but more similar to her stare, we are unfazed.

Seriously though. God’s Word can be our direction of truth: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84: 1 1 ESV). Reality of God’s giving nature holds all the okayness, the hope, we need to get us through ordinary days. To revive us from worry, stress, and struggle, in the not so ordinary days, too, I’ve found out.

No matter the problem glaring at you—everything has less of a grip when we hear what God is actually saying. His gaze is solid, secure. He also steers our lives in the right direction, toward His good, our good. His right, His glory. I know there are things in this day that may not feel okay. But just look at this hope:

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses,” Isaiah 63:7 KJV.

We are loved

God’s lovingkindness is given as a present and a gift. The thing I love about gifts is, well, everything. But mostly, I don’t have to work for them, I don’t have to  deserve them, I can rip the paper off and save the bubble wrap (because it’s bubble wrap), and revel in the kind gesture that’s bestowed to me. I can be okay with the celebration, if for no other reason than I am who I am. 

More than that, though, this verse says God’s lovingkindness is given to us because God is who He is. His gift is according to His great goodness and His mercy and His multitude of love, not mine. And I’m okay with this. 

True, we know the enemy, his 3am wake-up call. But like Priscilla Shirer says, “let’s not overestimate him.” We already know the snake is a dream squasher, a pessimist, who wants us to feel unsettled, to doubt, and question God’s goodness. His tricks never change, really. God’s goodness, either (insert praise hands here). 

While I stare at my messy hair today, I’m stunned at just how much I look like Lavern. Still, I wonder what it would look like for us to ask God to bestow His goodness on us? Right now. Today? Messy hair and all. 

We Are Unfazed

I confess, a few months ago I had to ask God this very thing. But also, I asked Him to help me accept His lovingkindness when I was certain things were not going to be okay. There was no white ribbon. No bubble wrap. I opened His gifts anyway. Because I trust that God’s plan to be a perfect plan and eternal gift. I trust the wholeness that remains when all the pieces are put back together again, His lovingkindness and His okayness. 

Remember Eve in the beginning, sitting in the garden of perfect?

When the serpent asked her a simple question: “Did God actually say ?” (Genesis 3:1). I know these words are common to me, predictable. I’ve learned to recognize who speaks them. They sound something like: Did God actually say … He would protect your children? Did God actually say … He would provide? Did God actually say … He would never leave you or forsake you? God’s promises and the truth of His virtuous love will be all we need for forever. God’s great “okay” (which often looks different than mine) supplies everything we desire. And maybe you’re like me, still learning these lessons of faith. But that’s okay, too. 

Life may fly wild as Lavern’s hair. But what greater victory than to be completely dependent on God and His infinite reassurance to us? Scriptural promises provide every comfort and reassurance we need. Please, let it meet you in unsteadiness today. Because His okay, is more than okay. Praying our spirits are settled as we live a little more like Lavern, in a messy hair—don’t care way. 

Here are a few peace giving verses for you to meditate on today. Okay? 

God is your help. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).

 Your soul is safe against the enemy’s attack. “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV).

 God has created you with purpose in mind. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV).

 You can trust God’s steadfast love. “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed” (Isaiah 54:10 ESV).

 God will steer your future to joy. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 ESV).