Laced With Grace

We were very busy  this past weekend.  Our church sponsored a “Beautiful Day” - a day set aside to serve the community through different projects to spread the love of Jesus.  Our family went in different directions, working on everything from Habitat for Humanity homes to tie blankets for homeless shelters to letters to military families to visiting a nursing home.  It was an amazing day.

Even though it was awesome serving the community and loving others through doing it, God showed me something equally amazing once the day was “finished”.  After having a wonderful visit with the residents of a nursing home, we decided to stop at a nearby park and play.  It was a very warm and sunny day and the kids had been indoors for most of the day.  I sat on a bench next to a mom as we watched our kids frolic in a splash pad.

As we sat and chatted, I learned that she is a single mom caring for three autistic children without any help.  Her parents live several states away and only sees them a couple of times a year.  Well, I “just happen” to have a very good friend who does “respite care.”  She has a heart for autistic and special needs children.  She will spend several hours taking care of the children so that the parents can have a rest- go out for dinner, take a walk, or even take a much needed nap!  Before I left the park that day, I had gotten this mom’s name and phone number and promised to have my friend call her to set up respite services for her.  I just “happened” to sit next to her?  No way!  God had His fingerprints all over that encounter!

I had to laugh because God showed me that following Him doesn’t just mean “signing up” for service projects to serve Him, but being open to His leading everywhere.  Our family wants to make a difference, so we are excited about many service projects we have lined up over the next few months, but the most important “project” is the people God places in our path every day- the woman next to you on the park bench, the check out person at Target, your neighbor, your coworker…..  We, as the Church, must be ready and willing to share the love of Christ everywhere and anywhere!  We have to be open and “watching” for opportunities.  When I slow down and just listen, I am amazed by the opportunities to love others God places in my path everyday.

“Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.” Titus 3:14 NLT

The NIV says, “our people must DEVOTE themselves to doing good”!  Lord, I have devoted myself to lots of things in my life, but not always to doing good!

Let’s make everyday a “beautiful day”!

Father God, thank You for Your love.  Thank You that You allow us to reflect Your love to those around us.  What a privilege for us and a responsibility.  Thank You for entrusting Your Church with this amazing gift and blessing.  Forgive us Lord, forgive ME, Lord, for the times that I “missed it”- either because I was too busy to even notice the hurting person in front of me or because I lacked the love and grace to help or that I was afraid and didn’t trust You.  Help me to shine Your Light to those You place all around me.  Help me to  devote myself to loving and helping others.  Help me to truly FOLLOW YOU by my loving actions.  In Jesus Name I pray.  Amen.

Have a beautiful day!

Tracy

I hope you don’t mind that I am reposting an “old” devotion this morning.  It has been a crazy week and I am “empty”.  I thought of this devotion, realizing that I have been pouring myself into lots of other cups, but not taking the time to allow God to fill and REFILL me!  So, fill me up, Lord!  I pray you, too will be blessed today…..

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken…Find rest in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6

Wow! When I read this passage, these verses gave me goose bumps. Oh, how they spoke to my heart. “Oh, yes, Lord!” I thought. “You are my rock. I do find rest in You alone! I will never be shaken!”

And I immediately heard, “Uh huh. Hmmmmmmm. Do you really find rest in me ALONE??? Do you really depend upon Me? On ME ALONE? Am I really your fortress, Tracy?

OUCH. If I were to be honest, then, no, I had not been seeking my rest, my hope, my needs in God, and certainly not Him ALONE.

Then, God showed me a water pitcher in my mind with 6 empty cups sitting in front of it. He showed me how He fills me- the water pitcher with clean, fresh, life-giving water each morning WHEN I seek Him in prayer and bible reading. I am filled with “streams of living water.” (John 7:37-39) My heart is full of Him, my pitcher is full. I am able then to pour out this “water” and fill up the cups in my life. The 6 cups in front of me are my husband and 5 children. But, we also fill many other cups~ work, volunteering, friendships, work relationships….to name a few.

Now, God showed me that there are tiny holes in the bottom of the cups and the water leaks out of them (showing me that these people can NOT depend upon me to fill THEM). My “water” will never sustain them!  God had laid upon my heart was that I was trying to get my water BACK from those cups. I was looking to my husband, to my kids (or work, friendships, relationships…) to FILL ME BACK UP.

But, because there are holes in the cups, I will never be filled with that recycled water. When you try to fill the pitcher up with the cups, there isn’t enough water~ it has run out. Looking to these outside sources will never fill me up- I have to look to God alone for this rest, this hope, this salvation. If I don’t want to be shaken, then I need to trust in God alone.

I had been expecting Brian, my husband, to fill up my water pitcher, and honestly, he was NOT getting it full! God showed me that Brian never can. No earthly relationship can. Only God can.

Psalm 62 also says, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Verse

Lord , may I always pour out my heart to You, drinking in the refreshment and the rest only You can offer. Help me to remember that people and things can never fill me up. Only You can do that. And, that only happens when I pour out my heart to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Many blessing to you today and may you be FILLED with streams of living water.

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May I be a “September 12th” person.

Yesterday we remembered the 10th anniversary of September 11.

There were many services, memorials, TV specials, and movies to commemorate this life-changing event in our American history.  Most Americans spent at least a few moments honoring those who died in these attacks and praying for the families of those fallen.  Many churches offered special services. Even the sports events of the day- yes, even Sunday football- made 9/11 the focus of the day.

Do you remember where you were that fateful day?  I think most of us can recall exactly where we were and our reactions to the events.  But, do you remember who you were and what you felt on September 12th?

What I remember so vividly was how we came together as a country.  Things like race and political party didn’t matter.  We, as a nation, fell to our knees in prayer, crying out to God. We were unified.  We were one.  One nation under God. We wanted to help our neighbors…..comfort one another……DO SOMETHING.

Over the past 10 years, have we, as a people, as a CHURCH, lost some of that “spirit”?  Do we still go out of our way to help our neighbor, make a difference, or fall to our knees in our prayer?

One of the most stirring moments of this past weekend was the memorial service of those who GAVE their lives on Flight 93.  This was the flight that knew what was happening and heroically decided to take action.  They took over the plane and crashed it into a field in Pennsylvania to avoid the terrorists completing their plan and hitting their intended target.  They willingly died to protect others.

In his speech, President Bush said,  “With their selfless act, the men and women who stormed the cockpit lived out the words, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends‘.” (John 15:13)

What a powerful reminder.

What a powerful picture.

Jesus laid down His life for us.  Willingly. Bravely.

He calls us to do the same.

We, the people of September 12th, but more importantly, the Church of Jesus Christ, are to LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR ONE ANOTHER.

We may never be called to storm a cockpit or run into burning buildings, but Jesus calls us to DIE- to ourselves, our will, our selfish desires, our pride- and live for others.  Jesus calls us to help the hurting, mend the broken hearts, share the hope we have with the lost……

Lord, may I be a “September 12th” person.  May I truly love others the way You would have me love them.  May I “lay down my life for my friends.”

To watch the clip of President Bush’s speech, click here.