Laced With Grace

The littlest one wanted a dinosaur movie, but the oldest (and her sister) wanted something less “cartoonish.” She reasoned with her sibling about why her movie would be a better choice and even offered him delayed gratification. “You can watch your movie tomorrow …” Nothing seemed to be breaking this impasse, however, so they reverted to the simplest way to agree. Flip a coin.

Heads, I win. 

And, ironically, I am swimming in a sea of statistics right now as I prepare to teach AP stats in the fall, so I can safely tell you that a flip of a coin will give a “fair” response of 50% chance.  It’s not a bad way to solve an argument, when no one is inherently wrong. So, the kids looked for a quarter to end the dispute about movie preferences.

Then Dad stepped in and asked a pointed question of his own. “What do you think Jesus would do?” The oh-so-smart daughter knew the right answer immediately and replied to her dad with a sigh. “He would let the other person have his movie.”

So, that answered the question. It was the dinosaur movie. But, just when my chest was beginning to swell with pride at our excellent parenting and amazing instruction, I heard the conversation continuing downstairs.

“Why aren’t we watching the movie you wanted?” a confused younger sibling asked her big sister.

“Because we lost.”

We lost. Something tells me that she didn’t really understand what Jesus would have done.  Oh, she knew the right answer, but she didn’t have the heart behind it. 

So much of the time, I have the same problem with really understanding God’s purposes.  I know all the things I “ought” to do and I’m pretty good at trying to live the way Jesus would.  But, unfortunately, that isn’t really want God wants from me.  My imitations of Christ will never change my heart and my following in His footsteps won’t make me more like Him. 

The only thing that will actually change my heart is a transformation.  The only way I will be like Christ is if He would be IN me.  I can’t change myself and I can’t try to be more like Him,  but there’s a better way.  If I would just surrender my whole, entire life, nothing held back, to HIM, then He could fill my heart with His love for others. 

I wouldn’t need to ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” because He would be living IN and THROUGH me. 

Isaiah 40:27-31 (NLT)

“O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

As most of you know, my husband and I left Phoenix, AZ on May 24^th for a cross country trip to be with my mother after my step father passed away. Before we left my husband and I were weary. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually weary. We did not know how we could be of any assistance to my mother since we ourselves were so drained. But we knew that God wanted us to come to Pennsylvania to be some support for my mother. What we have received is so much more than we have given to her. God has taken two broken and weary souls and not only renewed our strength but given us NEW strength, NEW vision, and a NEW purpose. He has not revealed everything completely to us, but we know some of the path He desires us to walk.

For the first time in so many years I have a peace that surpasses all understanding. My family back in Phoenix can even notice it while talking to me on the phone. Family members here in Pennsylvania along with my sister have noticed something different about me as well. I have complete peace, no worries, no anxiety, and no hesitation. Just complete peace and confidence that God is in control and I am not!

Does this mean that our troubles, problems, and circumstances have gone away? NO, not at all, they are still there, but God has promised to be with us each step of the way in our journey through life in Him.

• He has promised His strength as the source of our strength (Isaiah 40:31). 
• He has promised His peace (John 14:27).
• He has promised that He will supply all that we NEED (Philippians 4:19).
• He has promised to be with us. (Psalm 23).
• “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV).
• With all this and more, what have we to fear?(Deut. 31:8)
• What have we to worry about? (Matt. 6:25)
• If God is for us, then who can stand against us? (Rom. 8:31).

With all His promises, as I wait upon the Lord to reveal the “rest” of His plans for us, I have no other recourse but to have complete peace and trust in my Lord and Savior.(Prov. 3:5,6)

“Waiting on the Lord is the patient expectation that God will fulfill His promises in His Word and strengthen us to rise above life’s difficulties. It means to completely trust in God.” (NLT bible reference).

Nothing and no one else can give you such peace and hope. If you are going through some trials or difficult circumstances, and you are fretting over how you will get through it all – don’t lose hope. Give God the problems and you will find peace because God is bigger than anything this world can throw at you.

Let Go… and Let God!

Beelieve You Can!

Psalm 18:29

Today I would like to share a devotion I had written over 2 years ago — I hope you don’t mind. When I read the piece, I was reminded that I still lean on Him for my daily needs…

“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.” ~ Psalm 33:3-5 (ESV)

Last week as I was visiting Blogs for Wordless Wednesday, I came across the below poem on Barbara’s Blog (Thanks Barbara for allowing me to use it here):

What is faith? It is believing
That God’s promises are true;
Gladly taking what He offers,
Knowing that it is for you.

What is faith? ‘Tis simply trusting,
Leaning on the Mighty One;
Putting all your weight upon Him,
Yielding all to Him alone.

What is rest? ‘Tis faith reclining
In the Everlasting Arms;
Doubts removed and burdens banished,
Perfect peace amid alarms.

~Author Unknown

Yes, I believe that God’s promises are true. Just think about how He promised us to send a Savior in the book of Genesis.

Yes, I gladly took His offer to take my sin and nail it to the cross. This offer is not only for me, but for all who allow His Holy Spirit to enter in, so that they may also believe.

Yes, I trust my Lord to soothe my soul when I am burned out and need His healing touch on my heart. I gladly lean on Him to carry me through the rough times.

Yes, I put all my burdens at the foot of the cross and leave them there. I don’t want to carry them with me anymore.

Yes, I love to sit in His lap so He can wrap this mighty arms around me and rock me to sleep when I am anxious. Only in His love I can grow to love the people around me, especially the ones that are unlovable…

How about you? Do you allow Him to carry your burdens? Or do you rather carry them yourself? It is much easier with Him, don’t you agree?