Laced With Grace

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

The beautiful sunny day wasn’t enough to convince me to stop and enjoy a family picnic. Honestly, the thought of gathering food and supplies that must be drug over to the pavilion simply didn’t appeal to me. I plotted to dissuade my daughter’s insistence on a lunch time rendezvous. After all, camping is a picnic every meal, right?

Armed with a million excuses, I marched into the camper to find bags of supplies already packed up in manageable handfuls on the dinette table.

“What is this?” I asked my daughter.

“It is everything we need to go for a picnic.” Her brightly lit eyes confirmed her excitement.

With a heavy sigh and not the nicest of attitudes, I reluctantly obliged to her picnic wishes. As I brought the last of the food over, the kids were already chopping on their lunch, having a genuinely good time. I sat down with my husband and began to eat my pizza while sipping on a Cherry Doctor Pepper. Soon enough, the additional work to picnic at the pavilion was a distant thought as all of us enjoyed a restful and peaceful time eating together. It turned out to be exactly what I needed – a time of relaxation.

I pulled my daughter aside and apologized for my unwilling attitude and thanked her over and over again for pushing the idea. Her efforts made what would have been just an ordinary day of camping become something extraordinary by creating a special family memory that won’t soon be forgotten.

It won’t be long before my children are grown and I will long for the days when my daughter planned picnics. I am so thankful that on that day God showed me how special every day is. Even though there are things to be done, it is OK to stop and enjoy the time He has given us. He is teaching me to not stay so focused on the norms of everyday life, but to cherish the gifts of my family. I am also learning that enjoying the treasures of my family brings God glory.  A picnic planned by the sweetest girl with a huge heart and love for her family was the perfect testimony to just how wonderful family time is. I love when the Lord uses my children to teach me important lessons.

Today is your gift. It is a wonderful gift from God. How will you spend it? Make sure you carve out time to stop and enjoy the treasures that are around you.

In Christ Alone,
Dana

On January 16, we said goodbye to my sweet mother-in-law, Jean Cook.

Ironically, the previous day was one of joyful celebration as my oldest daughter reached the pinnacle age of ten. Her “girlie girl” surprise birthday party and was topped off with luxury suite tickets to Winter Jam 2011.

Following the concert, we learned that Jean had taken a turn for the worst. Two pre-teen girls laughing about the concert gave way to more serious discussions of a trip to Georgia. Our hearts broke as we learned early the next morning that we wouldn’t make it in time. Our gracious and sovereign God met Jean for a personal escort to her new heavenly home.

Suddenly, our family was swept into a season of grieving, but there was a peace within us. Jean left a legacy of love for the Lord. She never shied away from her faith, and she worked diligently to see her children grow in that same love. We miss her terribly, but we are certain she is enjoying a glorified body in the presence of God.

During those hard days, I found comfort in so many of God’s promises concerning death. One of my favorites was in 2 Corinthians 5:8,

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Paul himself was torn between staying in this life and being at home with the Lord. I’m sure my mother-in-law is quite happy in her new home. She will no longer hurt, no longer cry, no longer worry and no longer fear. My sister-in-law likes to say that if her mom were given the opportunity to return here, she wouldn’t. After all, who would want to leave the presence of God?

Of course I am sad. This year will be trying as we face all the holidays without Jean. But, our work on this earth isn’t finished yet. There are members in our family who don’t know or understand about God’s love. As those of us in Christ grieve and heal, I pray our lives are a testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness. My hope is that these circumstances will be used to reach others who are hurting so that they too will know the eternal peace found by the regenerating love of Jesus.

In Christ Alone,
Dana

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

Soft gulf inlet waters gently wash against the backside of our campsite on our first New Year’s weekend at Ft. Desoto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. Still in a natural state, brushes line the roads and bikeways. Cool gulf water breezes blow through the treetops. An old fort and other remains of history are delicately intact as a reminder of Florida’s past. There is a view of Florida’s architectural wonder, The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, at the south end of the beach.

The beaches are a beautiful reminder of how we see God’s glory in creation. The way the soft sand meets the shoreline. The way the tides roll in and roll out each day. The way the sun sets over the gulf waters each evening. The way the moon casts a subtle light on the night waters. The way the fish makes their homes near the Florida coastline. Even the way dolphins perform shows for beachcombers. Each a part of God’s creation.

Isn’t it amazing that God’s creation speaks so much to His glory? God’s truth of creation is evident throughout time simply in creation itself. There is not one without excuse to know God because everything, from a campground at a beach to the most majestic mountain, declares God’s glory. Romans 1:20 says,

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Experiencing firsthand the beauty of Creation has inspired a New Year’s resolution for me – to learn more about the character of God. His creation is only one aspect of His character. There is so much more to learn about him and it is all right there in the Word of God.

I am grateful to have spent the weekend soaking up every small part of God’s glory that I could. Today, I want to learn more about who He is.

Please visit me at my personal blog: Seeking Precepts.