Laced With Grace

There is pain across the world for the tragedy that transpired on this past Monday. The number of lives affected by the shooting at Virginia Tech are uncountable.

At times, such as these, we ask God “why?” Why this tragedy? Why were such young and promising lives taken from us without warning or reason? And yet, the answer may come in how we come together and persevere through this tragedy.

The school has come together to heal and bond. The world has cried along and will heal along with them.

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 16:8

The Lord brings us together to help one another through this time. Whether you are personally touched through this tragedy, or whether you experience it through the media, it is a reminder to speak kinder, to reach out more and to remember that we all carry our own personally crosses.

This is not the time to point fingers or shout for the re-writing of laws and legislations, this is the time to heal. The family of the perpetrator hurts, just as the other families hurt, maybe even more so.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

There are no words or reasons for this great loss in our world. The only reasonable answer is to reach out to God to find comfort for ourselves and for others.

Jesus says it best,

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked,when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3: 25-26

Lord,

Please bring healing to those who have lost a loved one in the midst of this horrible tragedy. Help those who were affected to move on with their lives, find the meaning behind it and use it to reach further, strive harder and love more meaningfully.

Let us all find peace in the midst of this chaos and remind us of Your loving guidance in our lives.

Give us strength.

This we ask in Jesus’ name.

How has this tragedy affected you? What bible verse do you turn to in times such as these?

I’m having a “little” attitude problem.

I’ve been doing some interesting mental gymnastics, in order to motivate myself to complete the task of “Spring Cleaning”. (well- and a number of other things- I don’t want to do like the harder work of working on my marriage..etc…) It’s not pretty. It’s an attitude of martyrdom. And- to be honest- it’s not working for me. (Or anyone around, me.)

My thoughts have sounded a little ( a lot) like this:

“This is my job….if I don’t do it- it won’t get done…God has called me to His service as a Mom and a Wife— so this is my sacrifice….and I will fulfill it”

As, I still don’t want to DO many of the things I should…. I’m not finding martyrdom, that effective a motivator.

It’s not helping my attitude that living at my house has been like a bad sit-com lately. Between falling downstairs while holding my little guy… getting sick and filling the house with smoke while trying to clean the oven….I’ve been a little (ok, a lot) frustrated. I’ve been feeling like an overworked, under paid, un-appreciated maid-service. For the glory of God, amen. It wasn’t anyone else- it was me.

In light of my current attitude, this weeks “In Other Words” Quote, took my breath away. “If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” (Granted- I’m wheezing from cleaning fumes and a virus — so it didn’t take much;) But- really- it did. It was like having the bathroom mirror spring-cleaned- suddenly, I could see myself clearly- and what I saw wasn’t a martyr. It was a brat. The brat was me.

God is funny like that. He’d been setting me up, all weekend long.

At the height of my viral fog— I watched a movie: “Marie Antoinette” I was amazed at the pomp and circumstance of each care-taking task of the King and Queen of Versailles. Even the placing on of the queen’s shoes, was an honor to be held and appreciated. I wondered how I’d feel- if I were given some mundane task…. but- by a ROYAL…..would I be honored? The truth is, I probably would.

It’s a stretch to imagine commissioned tasks by royalty -here in the states…so I thought of a few personal substitutes:

What if I were contacted by a major publisher, to write obituary’s?
What if I were offered the job of cleaning the Presidents Bathroom? (Taking politics off the table…It’s the highest comparable honor I could come up with for toilet cleaning…)

In either case- I’d be honored. In the first- with the opportunity to write anything… in the second— with being entrusted with a place of ummmm vulnerability? It wouldn’t feel like martyrdom or self-sacrifice- it would feel like a privilege.

I am called with a great COMMISSION- (co- mission a mission shared- not a task to be carried out, then to be reported back on… but, a mission undertaken, together with God!) to live out and share the Gospel- in word and deed- to those around me. A Co- mission with the King of the universe. Is there any higher privilege? Any better motivator? I doubt it.

Even when the oven smokes- and the virus attacks…. it’s my privilege to serve….however I can.

Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Dear Lord- Lately, my attitude has stunk- the truth is- I can do little to change how I feel. But YOU- can do so much more. I feel like you’ve already begun- please help me to respond and to remember that all that you call me to- whether seemingly mundane or outrageously holy are part of my co-mission, with you. I love you Lord- and thank you for the privilege! amen.

Are there things that you’ve been viewing as sacrifice… that are really privileges? What are they? How can you see them as privileges? Let’s pray for each other’s attitudes;) I don’t know about you- but I need all the prayer I can get!

“They came to‭ ‬Capernaum.‭ ‬When he was in the house,‭ ‬he asked them,‭ ‘‬What were you arguing about on the road‭?’‬ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.‭ Sitting down,‭ ‬Jesus called the Twelve and said,‭ ‘‬If anyone wants to be first,‭ ‬he must be the very last,‭ ‬and the servant of all.‭’” ~ Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)

‭I am sure that I have told you this before, I have a huge issue with pride. It has gotten me in more trouble than I want to admit. Although it has gotten better over the years, once in a while it rears its ugly head. Thankfully He will patiently remind me to be humble (Webster’s definition: not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive) — to not get a big head again. It hurts, believe me.

‭Last week was one of those weeks where my head grew a little bit too big. He had to step in three times reminding me through His Word…three times!!! *sigh*

‭You see, there was a position available that I saw fit for me. Come to find out that the position was not even posted; someone within the group was promoted. Believe me, I was not a happy camper. First – I am more qualified; secondly it was not right to not post the position as it is custom. I grumbled and told God that this was really unfair. Why did someone else get this position and not me?

‭Because I am not ready for it…He has the perfect plan for me to move up in the company. Once again I boasted in my own abilities and wanted to press on; I didn’t want to wait for His perfect timing.

‭It is not easy to be humble–to follow His lead…but I know it will be worth it…

‭”Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
‭ ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)

‭Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for the reminder that You have to humble us once in a while to follow Your lead. Although it hurts, we know that You have our best interest in mind. In the precious name of Jesus we pray ~ Amen.

Blessings on your Monday and as always…

The LWG blog team would like to thank Janna and Polly for the “Thinking Blogger Award”…It is humbling to know that God uses this blog to make you think.