Laced With Grace

The winner’s of the Church Chix’s self-titled debut CD are commenter’s 1 & 5. Congratulation to Denise and Cyber Pope. We will contact you via email to get your snail mail address.

Please stop by on Monday, March 1st as we are revealing our new designed blog with a giveaway. Thank you Lori for giving LWG a new face.

You can drive thru any town, small or large, and find what I call “abandoned buildings.” You know what  I am talking about … old, worn out buildings that have been tossed away, badly neglected and long forgotten about. The windows are boarded up, the entrance doors are barely hanging from their hinges and the inside is filled with dust, cobwebs and broken floor boards.

The street is usually deserted leading up to such a forgotten place. The light in the street  is blinking on and off, and what was once a busy, active and fun place is no longer even a memory in anybodies mind. forgotten, lost, abandoned, given up on. It is hard to imagine that at one time someone loved this old building and filled it with many great things.

Sometimes, people are much like these abandoned buildings. Instead of being filled with good things such as love and acceptance … the very ones that should (or could) love you – don’t. They walk out. They turn away. They stop caring. They make bad choices. They abandon you.

When this happens it is so easy to pull yourself into that abandoned building, the place where you can board up the windows and seal the door and not let anybody care about you again. You feel tossed away and forgotten. You are left broken.

Some of you reading this today know exactly what I am talking about. You have been abandoned, forgotten and tossed aside. A parent left you, your spouse walked out, a friend forgot all about you, your kids don’t call. You feel like you are living inside of a broken down, unusable, no-good-for-nothing abandoned building.

The good news is that just like any kind of real estate property, what one buyer sees as “unsalvageable”, another sees as “potential”. God has purchased that piece of property that you reside in, that broken down abandoned building, and He has applied a new shade of RED paint to it … the shade is called “the Blood of the Lamb“, He has washed down the inside with a special cleansing powder called the “Blood of the Lamb” and there hangs a new sign outside the door. It reads …. “REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!”

No matter what choice somebody has made that has left you feeling abandoned, remember that God made a choice long ago, that you are the most beautiful, precious and valuable thing He could purchase! And the price has already been paid…IN FULL!

PERSONAL NOTE: Many times I am reminded of the people who made choices that ultimately have forever altered my life. Many days, because of the emptiness of how their choices have made me feel – I find myself setting housekeeping up in my “abandoned building”. But when I find myself dwelling in this broken down place, I remind myself that the choices of those that should love me but don’t love me, and the choices of those that should stay by my side but walk right on out … these choices do not define me! But it is the choice of Jesus Christ that matters. He loves me! He died for me! and He defines me! Isn’t it time to do some redecorating in your dwelling place. Throw on a coat of RED paint!!

You can visit me for daily devo’s over at http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Ever had one of those days when all you wanted was a little peace?

Last week, I needed just that.

Peace please!

My plate was full, and for someone like me that’s not good. I like to go slow. I like a lighter plate. I’m easily content with less, not more. However I had things I needed to accomplish. Things I couldn’t put off. And I thought I was ready to get busy and tackle my list. Instead I found myself stuck not knowing what to do first. Doing nothing, when I should be doing something. It felt like too much. The tasks seemed too big. I feel unqualified. Fear and doubt knocked on my door. I answered. Soon I shut them out again.

One particular day felt extra hard. I kept thinking, I just need peace, as I ran my errands.  Regardless of how I feel, somehow, some way I need to pick up the pace. I need peace to keep moving forward. Peace. Please!

When I finally got home at noon and opened the slider glass to let my dog out, I noticed something happened while I was out and about. Not only did we get a light dusting of snow,  we also had some visitors.

Morning doves. Sweet ground feeding birds. They come to eat when all is calm. Obviously, all was calm because they left feet prints galore, all over my back patio.

When I needed a little peace, God came through in a beautiful way.

He sent doves to leave me “peace” marks.

They worked too. I needed the reminder of where my peace comes from. And I even got a few things done!

Father God, Thank You for sending doves to remind me I need You. I can have Your peace anytime, day or night, busy or not. No matter what is going on around me, show me Your love. Thank You for the peace of the dove. Thank You for the Holy Spirit that reminds me of truth when I need it most. I love knowing You care enough to capture my attention, especially when I’m not listening. I eventually figure it out and refocus on You. You amaze me, Lord. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen..

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7(NIV).

Have a peaceful day,
Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany