Laced With Grace

Our Lord loves balloons. Big shinny, Mylar balloons. He loves them so much that one day He just might send one just to you.

Many of you know that I am married to an unbeliever. I never stop praying for his salvation. I know one day he will cross the line and meet Jesus. So, I wait and I watch as the Lord does amazing things in our home and marriage.

One of the most amazing things I remember is the day my husband received a Mylar balloon from the Lord. My husband discovered the balloon placed carefully against our back door. It was inscribed with a single word – Baptism.

I about fell over in hysterics to think God would send a balloon to my man inviting him to baptism. You can read the entire story over at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. So why does the Lord like balloons? Listen in:

I happened to be in our church office this week, talking with the Staff Director and I mentioned the balloon that Jesus sent to my husband a few years ago. My friend looked up at me from her desk and tears sparkled on her lashes.

“Lynn, the same thing happened to some people I know.”

“You have got to be kidding…. Tell me… Tell me what happened.”

“Our neighbors lost their daughter several years ago. They of course were devastated. They grieved for a long time. In fact, the father who was an avid gardener couldn’t even work in his yard for two years because it held so many memories. The yard died. It was so sad and terrible.

Well, slowly the Dad began to work in the yard after two years of slow recovery. In fact, on one particular day he decided to go out back and prune the trees to get them back into shape. It was an early morning and as he poked around the yard he spotted something shinny.”

“The balloon?” I replied.

“Yes, he slowly went over to see the balloon that was gently floating just above the ground. He approached and then froze in his tracks. On the balloon was a cute picture of a bug. A cute little ladybug. And below the picture was written, ‘Happy Birthday.’

“He started trembling. You see, his daughter’s nick name was bug and on this very day it was her birthday.”

I gulped back tears as I watched the Director tell the story. She went on to say, “He picked up the balloon and took it in to show his wife. They were both overwhelmed. Lynn, they came over to ask me about it. They asked, ‘Don’t you believe God is intimately involved in the details of our lives.’ I answered, ‘You know that I do.’”

I swallowed hard.

“Lynn, they received so much comfort from that balloon. They are convinced the Lord sent it to them.”

I whispered, “Another tiny love note from our Father.”

Our Lord loves us so much. He hurts when we hurt. He laughs when we laugh and He knows when we need a hug or a love note. So today, I ask you to be on the lookout this week and see if you find a balloon, or hear the chirping of the birds, or witness something breathtaking. It is your tiny love note from our Father.

Be blessed, Lynn
Find me daily at

“Buddy” has had to wear “the cone of shame”. You can’t miss Buddy’s cone….as he stares out the front window, every passerby does a double-take.  You can even hear him coming as he bangs against walls, into the couch, and sometimes even into the back of your leg.  Buddy must wear his cone for all to see.

It made me wonder how many of us also carry around our own “cones” of shame.

Sometimes we wear our shame where all can see.  Food, alcohol, and drug addictions take their toll on our outward appearance.

Other times our shame is hidden…secret.  We suffer inside with the shame.

Maybe you understand  shame all too well.

Maybe you feel like because of what you have done, or because what has been done to you, you could never come to Jesus. You feel unworthy of His love.

But Jesus came to take away all of that.

He sees who you are and what you’ve done….

and He loves you anyway.

And, He takes away the shame.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Joshua 5:9

“Reproach” means “disgrace; shame.”  God wants to ROLL AWAY the shame and disgrace of areas of bondage.  Jesus came to set us free from sin and death AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  He has redeemed us completely….taking away our shame and disgrace.  I love how He frees the woman from John 8 telling her, “neither do I condemn you.”  Paul tells us that “therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

When we seek Jesus, He takes away the shame, the disgrace, the reproach.

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  Psalm 34:4-5

Lord, may I come to You honestly, seeking TRUE forgiveness. Thank You, Lord that when I turn to You, my face is NEVER covered with shame.  Thank You that You cleanse me from whatever I have done or whatever has been done to me. Thank You for Your forgiveness.   Thank You that You take away my shame. Thank You, Jesus.

My eighteen-year-old daughter Meghan, recently bought herself a new car. She was looking forward to taking me for a spin around the neighborhood. I climbed into “Abby” and it wasn’t long before we were out in some wide open spaces, enjoying the crisp afternoon.

As Meg started climbing up a hill, she nervously began to grind her gears and ride her breaks. The thick smell of burning brake pad soon filled the tiny car. “Meghan, what the…”

“Mom! I don’t need your help. I have had a stick-shift before!”

Her fear fueled her anger, which fueled mine. Once, we were driving again on flat roads I asked her, “What was that all about back there!? Why are you mad at me?”

“Mom, you get me nervous.” she stated matter-of-factly. Her eyes staring straight ahead.

“I get you nervous? Seriously?! But, I barely said a word.” I wondered if she was using me as her excuse for her poor driving performance back there.

“I can’t explain it Mom. You get me nervous.”

To my oldest child, my presence was powerful in her midnight blue Elantra. I had no idea. Words didn’t need to be spoken for her to know I was sitting in the front seat beside her. I couldn’t help but think about how as Christians we bring an invisible presence wherever we go. Most of the time we don’t even realize it. A mighty presence of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us. A sweet perfume to some, the scent of death to others. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2Cor. 2:15-16

One of my sister’s doesn’t enjoy the company of our family. As much as we laugh when we’re together and enjoy playing board games together with our families, it never seems to go much farther than that. We live only a few minutes from each other and rarely see one another. She no longer attends church or is interested in Bible studies. I no longer talk to her about it. I take my prayers to the Lord. I’ve often wondered if the reason she doesn’t want to spend time with me is because of the fragrance of Christ.

My daughter Meghan was becoming irritated with an unbelieving relative who was asking intrusive questions about her and her boyfriend. Meghan shared with this person that her and her boyfriend were praying about their relationship. Once the Lord and prayer were brought into the conversation this relative couldn’t get off of the phone fast enough. I wonder if she smelled something!?

As a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of me and will permeate every bit of space I occupy. To some I may smell like a warm vanilla-spice candle, welcoming and comforting. But, to those who are perishing,  the stench I carry with me will burn the nostrils in an unpleasant way. Not always will I be received with open arms. Not always will my own family wish to spend time with me. And for no apparent reason at all, people may not like being around me. I’m learning to be OK with that.

Lord Jesus, help my heart. I want so much to be included and liked, especially by those I love. Help me to understand there is a spiritual fragance I bring into a room. You experienced torture and crucifixion for me. Help me to bear the stench I am to those who are perishing. Remind me it isn’t me at all, but you they can’t bear to be around. Then, help me to live a life that brings you glory. One that helps point others to you. I love you so much Jesus.