Laced With Grace

Fear.

I have some fears that I struggle to push down at the odd moments when they surface: fear of glass shattering, fear of falling down steps, fear of falling backwards when in a rocker, fear of losing my husband.

Some of my fears are just that, fears. The fear of falling backwards in a rocker–that is just plain silly but everytime someone pulls on the back of my chair, WHOA!

Some of my fears are well founded–like the falling down steps–the last time someone fell down steps it was my husband and he broke a rib, plus, we have really tall steps in our house.

The fear of losing my husband–you might say that is well founded. He isn’t very healthy–a 35 year old asthmatic with severe allergies, weak bones, and mostly unhealthy habits. His dad died young (55) of colin cancer after having a stroke at my husband’s age and my husband has had more than his share of scares already.

It’s funny though. Most days I struggle to put these fears into God’s hands and today, a day of several procedures for my husband, all of which designed to find out what is making his body go so very wrong, and now the knowledge that he needs his gallbladder out–through all of it I have had absolute peace. Today, when I had every “right” to be wringing my hands in fear that I could lose my husband, I was not. I was extra clear thinking (took my laptop along and got a ton of work done) and was in perfect peace.

I know that He only gives us as much as we need and only when we need it. Sometimes I forget that but on days like this, when His peace abounds, I stand amazed at the awesomeness of it all.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

If you are in the midst of something big, know that He is sufficient and that HE will (and if you are in it HE already has) provide grace and peace beyond understanding. And if you are not in the midst of it, if you are instead looking toward the future and fearing what is to come, STOP IT! I know how you feel believe me but we aren’t supposed to worry about tomorrow or fear anything, not principalities, not circumstances, not anything that Satan can do to us. The Lord, the King Creator, Lord of the Armies of Heaven, has promised to take care of you and He will, you can trust Him. If you need it, HE will give you peace, for He has promised.

Lord of Heaven and Earth, King of all Creation, once again we bring ou fears and worries to You. Lord we trust You and know that You are God, Lord of all, and we hand You every fear, every doubt, and every thought. Lord our lives are in Your hands for You alone are our Savior. Lord, I pray hat You would place a wall of protection around every one of these ladies (and gentlemen) who read this today. Lord, give them Your perfect peace, strengthen them to face that which they must face today, and help them to believe Your promise that You will give them peace beyond understanding. Your will be done. Amen.

Do you have His peace? Ask and you shall receive–but it might mean handing over those fears.

“Noah?” I called as I realized I hadn’t seen his little body in my peripheral view in the past few minutes.

No answer.

“Noah!” Voice a little stronger, tone a little higher. Now wondering where he could be.

“NOAH!” I start searching. There is no answer. No little pounding of feet as he runs from whatever mess he’s been making.

My heart starts to flutter, then pound.

“Boys! Help me find Noah” I’m now shouting orders like a captain on some doomed ship.

I tear through the house. We (my two older sons) and I were RIGHT here. He couldn’t have gotten out, could he? I search the bedrooms.

Nothing. I continue to, well, now basically scream “NOAH! WHERE ARE YOU!”

I start to look in spots where he could be stuck. I fear entrapment, strangulation. I pray. I send my middle son outside to search the neighborhood. I’m sure he hasn’t left the house. But, with kids anything is possible.

I wonder how fast is too fast to call the police. How long is too long? I wish my husband wasn’t in Las Vegas, on business. I run outside screaming like a madwoman. My heart stops and I look in the truck. I’m afraid he’s stuck inside in the heat. Nothing.

I run back inside. I keep looking, while my mind flashes with news stories about kids snatched from their homes. I try to remember whether he actually DID change into dry clothes after we came in from running through the hose.

Then my oldest yells “I HAVE HIM! HE’S HIDING in my closet”

I have been a mom for nearly 18 years, my track record has been pretty good- I’ve never lost a kid. Until today. Kind of. Somewhere, all of my emotions short circuit. (Not that ,that is actually a novelty;) I am angry and scared and now, relieved. They come downstairs. My tears flow. I catch a sob escaping. I try not to cry in front of my kids.

My big, rough, hunting, fishing, teen/ man boy puts his arm around me. “It’s ok Mom. We got him.”

I pray and thank God in breath prayers, and tear prayers. I hug that wriggly little boy.

“WHY WERE YOU HIDING FROM ME?” I shout I mean, ask.

“I knew I’d be in trouble. I was on Michaels game upstairs.”

Hiding. From the one who seeks. Yes, the one who disciplines. And also, the one who forgives. How many times have I forgiven him? How many times have I disciplined him with love? I’ve been his Mom all of his life, but still when he knew he was in trouble, he still hid.

And so do we. From the One who seeks us. The One who forgives us, regardless how bad we think we are. The One who chases us down and tackles us with His love. A tackle that lands Him squarely on the cross. Where He lovingly pays the price for our sin.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Today I hope when you hear His voice- you won’t hide. You’ll run to Him. The One who forgives. I encourage you to click the link and read all of Hebrews 12… let Him speak to your heart and call your name.

I am tempted…..

I admit it. Recently I have shuffled into the kitchen for my mandatory cup of coffee to jump-start my day and instead of immediately picking up my Bible, I have turned on my computer.

This, in itself, is not a bad thing however, for me; it is a temptation which can get me into trouble. You see, I plan to sit down for just a minute to look at the email that arrived overnight. Then, intrigued by a comment I click onto a site and begin to read. Before I know it, I am surfing the Christian blogosphere with gusto. I make my mandatory stops at Laced With Grace and Jehovah Java, followed by a few dozen others.

By the time I emerge from computerland (as my daughter calls it), my morning is gone and with it my time to read my Bible. I am alone here. *grin*

Reading God’s word cannot be replaced by devotionals, Christian magazines, books, or blogs. Yes, even blogs!

Searching and pondering the scriptures revitalizes me from the inside out. God’s word is active and alive. Can you contemplate the implications of this statement. It breathes into us new truths and deeper understanding of ourselves and of God.

God speaks a word to you and to me personally, individually, and privately through scriptures that are living and filled with power. I become overwhelmed when I think there are about 6.6 billion people on this planet, yet God speaks a private and meaningful word to me.

God’s word penetrates and inspires, corrects and encourages. This book has been the single most influential resource in my life as well as millions of other believers. WOW!

Through God’s word I have discovered my own personal life verse. My life verse is the source of much needed strength and courage through the many seasons of my life. I lean on it in the dangerous times and thrill over this verse in the good times knowing it is by Christ’s love I am where I am today.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(I’m sorry, no one else can claim this verse. Just kidding, Iris.)

Today my daily Bible was first and from this day forward it will always be.

God’s word is living. God’s word is active. God’s word is personal.

Christ, my strength, my resource, my all. Your living word is a gift, more precious than anything else I could own here on earth. Thank you, Amen.

What is your life verse? Please tell me why it belongs to you.