Laced With Grace

When we think of the first Thanksgiving, we think of the early settlers, Pilgrims, and Indians sharing their feast in giving thanks to God for their harvest.  In 1782 George Washington made Thanksgiving an official holiday with the Thanksgiving Proclamation.

“It being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for His gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give Him praise for His goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interposition’s of His providence in their behalf. They do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for His goodness, by a cheerful obedience of His laws, and by promoting, each in His station, and by His influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.”–George Washington, 1782

Wow, wouldn’t you love to hear our President and politicians today say such magnificent worshipful proclamation today?  The history of Thanksgiving goes back even further.  God’s Word informs us that in the days of King David there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100 (KJV)

Even further back we read of thanksgiving:  Leviticus 7:11-13:  “These are the instructions regarding the different kinds of peace offerings that may be presented to the Lord. If you present your peace offering as an expression of thanksgiving, the usual animal sacrifice must be accompanied by various kinds of bread made without yeast—thin cakes mixed with olive oil, wafers spread with oil, and cakes made of choice flour mixed with olive oil. This peace offering of thanksgiving must also be accompanied by loaves of bread made with yeast.” (NLT)

Throughout God’s Word we find many examples and commands regarding giving thanks.

“…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

We are living in a day and age of turmoil, uncertainty, and trials; but even with all of life’s challenges, I believe we still have more to be thankful for than any other people on earth.  No matter what the challenges that are facing us this Thanksgiving, may we take time from the hustle and bustle of cooking, entertaining, and shopping to give God thanks for all He has done for each of us and our loved ones this glorious holiday season.  As we gather around the table to partake of our Thanksgiving feast, may we pause to share a blessing or two that the Lord has so graciously provided; and may we share our blessings with a grateful heart; giving thanks to the ONE who has provided our glorious feast.

http://michele-risingabove.blogspot.com

God, do you know how old I am?

And in the deep recesses of my mind I heard a chuckle. (I kinda think if He numbers the hairs on my head He’s probably noticed that thirty something birthdays has passed by) But back to my story…

When I’m talking to God I try not to be selfish. I pray for the needs of others, family, friends, country and world… But, I admit, sometimes I do have those moments when I go before God and there’s only one person on my mind. In the words of country singer Toby Keith,

I wanna talk about me

If you read my introductory question you can probably guess where this is going. Usually, when a woman actually asks someone “do you know how old I am?” it’s for a very short list of reasons. I just happen to fit most of short list, thirty-something, single, desirous of marriage and children… you get the picture. So in asking God that question I was really asking, “have you forgotten me?”

Delight yourself also in the LORD,                                                                                                                                                                                                                              And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (emphasis mine)

I’ve also been reminding him of his word, specifically the above promise in his word. After one of our conversations God lovingly said to me “my daughter, why are you focusing on things that I haven’t yet done?” He then reminded me of the many promises he had fulfilled. Some happened quickly and some over lonnnngggg periods of time.

Thank you Lord for precious reminders of your many blessings…

He ended with this questions “Will you still serve me, trust me, wait for me even if seems like I have not heard your prayers?

24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)

But don’t get me wrong, waitin’ ain’t easy

Sometimes it’s hard to wait for God to bring to pass all that which we desire so much but I’m thankful that He does stand by his word and if we continue to find delight in him, he will give us the desires of our heart.

But until He does, with a thankful heart for the many blessings he has bestowed upon me I say,

Teach me Lord, teach me Lord, how to wait…

God bless,

Bernadine

“Okay God, I will do it but she is going to FREAK OUT!” Sniff, sniff, waaaaaaah…. Where’s the Klennex. WAAAAAAAAH!

I found myself kneeling at the front of the church following Lisa Shaw’s powerful teaching and altar call at the Blogger’s Retreat last month.

I was snot nosed, bawling.

Let me clarify something. I am not typically a bawler. I drop a tear or two on occasion. However, all out bawling, searching for Kleenex, and tears blurring my vision…

Ahem, NO!

I guess I should explain.

This story begins over ten years ago. *Let me drop something in right here. God forgets nothing. Although ten years have passed, He has waited all this time for the exact perfect moment to bring about His will. Whoa!

This next part of the story is difficult for me to share because you will discover just how broken I am. My mother, sister, and I were in Israel. It was day eight of a fantastic two-week tour of the Holy Land. The tour was incredible until something went terribly wrong. My sister and I in a moment of exhaustion and selfishness exchanged some hurtful words. She zinged me with an insult and I zinged her right back. I’m better at the zingers insults, unfortunately, and that was that.

Thus, from that day forward our sister relationship was forever damaged.

We were both hurt and for two years we barely spoke. Okay, please don’t hate me but I know there are others of you who have lived this. Hang in there, the story gets better.

For several more years we were polite but extremely cautious in phone conversations. The comfortable years of easy conversation and trust, forever disappeared replaced by suspicion and avoidance. It grieves me to type this sentence.

Five years ago, the Lord asked me to forgive. I did and I asked my baby sister to forgive but she was still hurting and unable to rekindle our past closeness. I grieved. I prayed and I left it to God.

Well, when you leave things to God, He never forgets. Time passes and you forget but He never will.

So last month on October 23rd, I knelt at the Altar to pray on the last day of the Blogger’s Retreat. I didn’t have a lot on my heart and actually had a peace about my life. I felt confident in my husband’s future salvation and fully confident with faith that our unemployment would quickly come to an end.

All was right with the world.

THAT’S PRECISELY WHEN IT HAPPENED!

God showed up.

“Lynn, I want you to start praying every day for your sister and do not stop until I tell you.”

“What? God are you serious?” I sniffed and sobbed, “Okay God, I will do it but she is going to FREAK OUT!” Sniff, sniff, waaaaaaah…. “She doesn’t even want to talk to me.” More bawling.

When God spoke this into my heart I knew what He was expecting. When I pray for people, I will often ask for their requests on Monday and then pray over them every day, all week long. God fully expected me to ASK my sister EVERY MONDAY for her prayer requests. My sister didn’t even want to chat with me on a regular basis let alone share with me her struggles or prayer requests.

Did God know what He was asking of me? I would have to call her every Monday. My sister would likely laugh in my face. She was going to freak out. I was freaking out!

Well I went home. Monday arrived. My palms sweated. God kept nagging me…. CALL HER..

“Okay, Okay, I will.”

I dialed.

“Hello”

I rushed ahead in the conversation and told her just what I told you. “God has told me to pray for you every day so on Monday’s I’m going to email you for your prayer requests. If you don’t answer my email, I will telephone you.”

She replied right away and said, “I’m so glad you called and I need prayer.” She proceeded to explain some of the tremendous challenges she is facing. She was honest and open and genuinely thankful that I would pray for her every day.

It was in this telephone conversation I felt the presence of the Lord and our ten years of feuding ended. INSTANTLY.

A Miracle.

Our Monday morning conversations are no longer stiff and distrusting. They are filled with laughter, sisterhood, true caring, and love. My sister and I are healed and whole in Jesus Christ.

Every Monday since, I call. We talk, we laugh, I listen and receive her prayer requests. I am blown away at the healing power of Jesus Christ in my ordinary and messed up life. To say I am thankful is woefully insufficient.

Jesus is the reason I live and breathe. Jesus can heal anyone of anything. He can bring forgiveness, change of heart, healing of cancer, mending of marriages, and He can set anyone free. Even two sisters after ten years of self-imprisonment.

This is indeed, a Thanksgiving filled with redemption, restoration and thankful hearts.

As you read this story, I am in Colorado spending precious time with my sister, her family and my Mom. All is right with the world.

God bless and may the Lord richly bless you this Thanksgiving season.

Be Blessed, Lynn
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