There was a time when I thought I was a good person, (notice the emphasis on I). Growing in grace has enabled me to see with my eyes, understand with my mind and confess with my mouth that there is nothing good about me alone except the holy, blameless, good and loving God who dwells within me. Sometimes even my best intentions are peppered with pride. It is when I remember my utter depravity that I became free to rejoice in The Lord’s unparalleled adequacy. Lord Jesus, I confess I am a mess. I am prone to wander, clothing myself in filthy rags and seeking perfection, approval, and satisfaction from the false God’s of idolatry. Grant me the blessing of quick detection and correction when my heart turns from you, Father. At the end of every road of obstinance is death; while the path of obedience leads to life. May your truth be my compass so that all glory shines on you, my Savior, not myself. Amen.
Our Scars Are Beautiful Stories
I have a scar on the left side of my chest where there once was a central line that nourished me when I was too sick to eat. I have a scar in my upper right rib area that reminds me of a chest tube that once supported my collapsed lung from a procedure gone wrong. Both blemishes were the product of one pregnancy. I see those two scars every day, and for many years they were unattractive to me. Over the years, I have learned that grief has been replaced with gratitude when I notice my marks. Those blemishes are symbolic of life. My scars are the testimony of a broken story with a beautiful ending. If it were not for them, I would not have my daughter.
I was reminiscing through the memories of my scar journey this morning, and I saw a vivid image of Jesus on the cross. There he was in my picture, nailed by evil and dawning contusions that the world would deem unattractive; then this thought crossed my mind, Jesus’ scars also represent life. I am confident that He embraces His, too, because if it were not for them, He also would not have His daughter.
Shine More
When the sadness of the world is shutting the doors of your heart, open them up more.
When persecution is preying on your joy, look for reasons to praise more.
When grief says the world will never be like before, gratify Jesus more.
When you want to give up, instead give more.
When there seems to be no love left, love more.
Evil only wins if we lose our light to the lust, lies, and lawlessness of the world. When you want to surrender shine more.
A Delicate Yet Decisive Wind
As I was sitting outside in silence for a few minutes, the most subtle scene grabbed my attention. The wind blew my back patio gate back and forth before resituating it in a different direction. I was immediately awestruck by the thought that the wind, although invisible and in this situation barely audible, is so powerful. The gate is steel, and the wind was not blowing hard; and because of the weight of the gate, it would appear only movable by human hands. The wind, however, delicately yet decisively, rearranged its coordinates in the most humble manner. God is like that, friend. He may be invisible but never idle, always capable of shifting that which seems stagnant. By nature, we want to take charge because the inconspicuous illusion of control deceives us into believing in our sufficiency. Although you cannot see God, and maybe you are standing under circumstances that bear the weight of the world, do not concede to what you see, cling to what He says. Your Father is able, and when the time is right; He will change that which appears concrete. Ephesians 3:20, Isaiah 60:22.
It Is Well
Sometimes we have to rewrite the songs we composed to make our hearts sing so we can hum the melody of lyrics that life brings. It is when we find joy there, in the midst of all that is rewritten, that our souls earnestly sync to the tune of, It is Well. It is well with me. 1 Timothy 6:6~godliness with contentment is great gain.
You Are Not Behind Schedule
You are not behind schedule, friend. I was having an honest conversation with a wise friend this morning who reminded me at least twice that I am not behind schedule in my areas of growth. We can be pretty hard on ourselves, and sometimes taking honest looks at where we are is necessary. I want you to hear today, however, that you can trust in God’s sovereign and perfect timing for all things, including right where you are. You are loved!
Seasons of Change
Father you know we mamas are creatures who crave constancy not change. When it comes to our children, our hearts are troubled by the trials of transition. Tis the season of approaching change, God. Soon our babies will be starting kindergarten, entering high school, arriving for their senior year and launching off to college. As our lives are fluctuating, and our familiar becomes foreign, our normal becomes new and our usual becoming unknown, it feels like permanent pieces of our lives will be changed forever. They will never be as they were again. It is the dying of a chapter that is so deeply rooted and known that it is painful to imagine how life will look moving forward. We are challenged to hold gently and fondly to what was so that we may courageously embrace what now is. Give us the grace to be more than conquerors in all these circumstances of change, Father. May the faith that lives in our hearts be bigger than the fear that lurks in our minds. Bless our children. Insulate each and every one of them from head to toe under your wing of protection. Remind us mamas that we have raised or children to run with determination not retreat in doubt. There will be trails, and there will be triumphs. May we all remember that disguised in all our disappointments are Your Appointments. Give us the grace to not look for life somewhere under the sun, but in someone above it-You, Lord Jesus. Amen
The Inherent Word of God
While the grievous news of the world may be watered down, weeded out and written to suit fleshly desires, the good news of the Gospel cannot. God’s Word comforts me and gives me true hope, but honestly friends; it also disturbs me because I cannot manipulate it to accommodate the sin that so easily entangles me. When I begin to change, rearrange or “modernize” the Gospel, His Word becomes corrupted by my will; and I make God in my image rather than Him making me in His. If I am not disrupted by The Word of God, then He is not God in my life.
Backdrops For Blessings
Manna for your moment from my yard. Notice that every individual dew drop is distinct in its resting place upon the rose. This picture reminds me that like the rose catches the rain, God catches every tear. He compassionately holds each one with singular significance and gives them shelter until the Son tenderly wipes them away. God never wastes your tears. Sometimes they are tokens of joy and sometimes pain, but not one goes unnoticed or falls in vain. Every part of who you are matters to Him. When you feel the least loved or lovable, remember that like the dew finds respite upon the flower, we find refuge in The Father; and hope accessorized with faith whispers, moments when we feel bruised are backdrops for blessings.🌹
He Must Become More Than Me
When I am argumentative or defensive, my motive is to serve myself by winning the point. The mission of self-control is to win people thus serving my Savior.
John 3:30~He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.