Laced With Grace

The debate around the dinner table was so “heated” we could have had fondue without a flame.

The topic was political and passionately felt. Opinions were flying around the table like paper airplanes during detention hall. Our voices rose and fell with our arguments. Mostly, they rose. Our table was surrounded with the regular cast of characters- two opinionated teenagers, a hormonal woman with opinions to spare(that would be me), a wise man with opinions of his own…(the Dad) and a five year old watching it all. The family table had become a family debate.

Ocassionally- I glanced at the youngest, his head swung back and forth like a judge at a tennis match. His gaze was intent, listening to every word..albeit a bit confused. He was looking for something, I now know, it was the truth.

His little head suddenly bowed and he folded his hands in prayer. (Not really sure where he got the whole prayer stance from.. but it was entirely sweet)

“Dear God, Is this twue?” (Noah speak for true) He asked in prayer. Then, he sat and listened… not to us and our arguing, but to God, for an answer.

The table grew silent. My heart swelled with a mixture of conviction and joy. As we debated points and perspectives, my little guy turned to God for the answer. We were stunned. And thrilled. And convicted.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times this scene has played out inside my own head…. not always with the same ending. I have questions or concerns about something, so, I search out answers. I research. I gather facts and opinions. I compare and analyze them. I argue points with myself. I try to convince myself of one answer or another…

But- how often do I just stop, fold my hands and bow my head and ask the one who has all the answers? Truth be told- not as often as I wish…or should.

Today- is there something on your heart? Something you are passionate about, but are being challenged in? Or, is there a question you need and answer for? Have you wracked your brain trying to figure it out… and asked everyone one you know for their opinion? Is the din of argument drowing out the answer of prayer? Then, I encourage you to take a minute with me, bow your head and ask, The one who knows.

I can promise this… when we pray He hears.

Matthew 7:7-12(NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Dear Jesus- there are so many questions we have… so many concerns. I pray that you’d pour out wisdom and show us what is “twue” I love you Lord- and thank you that we can ask you all the questions we have! Give us ears to listen, Lord! amen

“I’m sorry girlfriend,” I said laughing as my friend Mandie and I stood at the door of the restaurant and looked out at the rain. “I don’t do wet hair!” I stood back, quite contented to wait until the rain stopped.

I had just met Mandie in person one day earlier after three years of corresponding by email and telephone. I knew we had developed a beautiful friendship via the internet but I knew for a fact that I had found a lifetime sister-friend when I heard these words in a sweet southern accent “Oh, that’s okay girl, I’ll go get the car.” On that note she cheerfully, ran through the rain to get the car and then got out again with an umbrella to save my hairstyle.

What determines true friendship? The above happened over four years ago and I’ve thought about it often. Being concerned about protecting a hairstyle may have seemed silly but at that moment it was important to me so it was important to my friend.

This is one of the ways that God shows us that he is a true friend to us, by paying attention to the things that are important to us no matter how small and trivial they may seem to others.

When I was a little girl there was a song I loved it said,

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys.
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrows into joy.

I would ask my mother, “Does Jesus really care that my dolly’s arm is broken?” She’d always tell me that he cared about every thing about me no matter how big or how small. Consequently, from I was a little girl I knew that I had a friend in Jesus. If I could trust him to care about my doll why wouldn’t I trust him with my life? However for some reason I started wondering, does he feel the same way about me? Am I a friend of God? Can he call me friend? In my searching I read the story of Abraham in Genesis 15 and I found this verse in James which talks about Abraham.

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23

I can’t list everything that Abraham did that led to him being called the Friend of God but I know that it all started with him believing God.

I also realize that it’s not humanly possible for us to be the type of friend to God that he is to us but I firmly believe if we’ve given our life to Him, if we trust Him, have faith in Him then we can all join in with Israel and New Breed and sing…

Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me it’s amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God almighty, lord of glory
You have called me friend

Friendship isn’t something that I take lightly so every time I play the CD with this song I turn it up high and sing the lyrics with a sense of awe. Isn’t it truly amazing to know that almighty God, lord of glory, thinks so highly of us that he calls us friend?

God has laid on my heart that there is someone out there (maybe it’s you?) that is lonely and is possibly intimidated about this blogging community. My heart aches for any sense of pain you may be experiencing. Please know that there are so many wonderful and caring women in this circle of the blogosphere that would be blessed if you reached out to them.

I’m very shy and I found that I had to pray to Jesus and specifically ask Him for the courage to step out of my comfort zone so could I reach out to strangers. I started by commenting on a few blogs that I felt a connection with, usually with a question so that the blogger would write back and if they didn’t, I was suddenly okay with that. I knew I had to make the first move and I was always glad I did, reply or no reply. Each time I commented, it got easier and easier.

I want you to know that I know what it’s like to sit on the sidelines, not sure if I should put myself out there. I know what it’s like to feel inferior and not as “Christian” as some of the other bloggers. I know what it’s like to be embarrassed and insecure. I’m here to tell you that Jesus will give you the courage to get past all of that and reach out to others. I’m here to tell you that you will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams when you do!

2 Cor 1:3-4 (NNAS) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Lord, we pray to you to help us open our hearts to those readers who may need a friend. Please give them courage to contact us and give them patience when we don’t respond as quickly as we would like to.

May we all be blessed by reaching out to others and use this community to spread the good news of the Gospel!