Laced With Grace

“God knows where you are, and He can get you to where He wants you to be.”

He began his sermon with those words, and I knew it was an answer to the cry of my heart.

If life is divided into seasons, I am in the winter of my life. The nest is empty. My days look very different from the days when three children filled the rooms with noise and things and love. I don’t have nearly the time I imagined I would – for the days seem to fill of their own accord. But I do have more hours to call my own.

I pray and look back and wonder if I’ve followed the course He set for me long before I drew my first breath. Did I find the place He created me to fill or did I somehow miss it? And what of this season? What is it I’m supposed to be doing? Don’t let me miss it Lord.

My tendency is to wander back into the past and pick up a burden of guilt and regret. The gentle words of my Pastor came like a gift. The Lord knows exactly where I am, and He will faithfully bring me to the place He has for me. Perhaps it will mean staying right where I am, or it may mean a new door will open. My part is to faithfully walk with Him right where He has me now and trust that He is in control.

I think of Jonah. The Father had a plan, but it wasn’t to Jonah’s liking. He did his best to run from the Lord. It was futile. Even if it takes a terrible storm and a huge whale, He will get us where He wants us to be.

I am thankful and filled with wonder that He would love me enough to have a plan and purpose for my life – in every season. He has one for you too. Even when we accidentally step off the path or determinedly go our own way – He will get us to where He wants us to be.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings,

Linda

Photo: courtesy of  photobucket

On my recent trip to Cambodia with Mission of Mercy, we visited the temple ruins…I have to admit to you–I was not as excited about this part of the journey.  It was more than just the heat….it was a spiritual thing.

The sun was bright…and hot…but instead my soul felt the cold darkness of death in looking at every stone.

It was a lie.  All a lie.  The people walking in darkness…needing HIS Light.

Psalms 82:4-5  Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.  They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Each person I passed…my mind turned to the ancient days–the things that took place on these grounds…the lie they believed.   Right now, millions believe a lie.
The lie they believe is not alive–cannot save–cannot heal–cannot rescue–does not love.
The lie they believe kills.  It kills dreams and visions.  Offers no hope for a future…for life everlasting….only death.

What are we doing with the “life” and TRUTH that we have?

What are we giving?  Without our help–they remain just as they are.  Crippled.  Blind.  Deaf.  Mute.  Without hope–no dreams–or visions of a future outside the walls of lies.

You and I both have something we can give.  Whether you are ever able to make the journey there or not–you can still go.  You go by sponsoring a child.  Giving them hope.  A chance at a better life–one filled with the TRUTH –the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Without our hands, voices and hearts…they will remain where they are…in the dark…

And death is coming.

What if, instead of taking your family out for dinner 3 or 4 times a month, you cut it back to just 1 or 2…did you know with less than it takes to feed a family of 4 at McDonald’s, you can educate, feed, and medically care for one child?  And the best part…You are bringing LIGHT to them.  With each child sponsored they receive the nourishment they would otherwise not have.  They also get the Nourishment from the Word.  Sponsorship ensures that they are fed…both food and Word.

My blog has featured my mission to Cambodia and will continue for a few more posts…

But my heart will continue to be there with those children…who need TEACHERS.

If you are reading this and are interested in finding out how you can be a part of Mission of Mercy, whether in a one time donation–or by monthly support, contact their website:  www.missionofmercy.org for more information.

The little girl Jeff and I sponsor is from the Dominican Republic.  I don’t know if I will ever get to go see her–but that won’t keep me from giving–sowing seeds into her life with my small support.

Don’t forget to pray.  Pray for them, but pray for yourself as well…for your heart to be continually turned to the Light.

They grow silently as the days warm toward Spring, and we are unaware. Then one day while driving through the neighborhood we spy them, beautiful lavender blooms against a green backdrop. It seems they have appeared overnight.

Days pass in a slow stroll, and the branches hang heavy with flowers. The winds blow through, and the air is filled with their fragrance. It smells like grape. Imagine grape flavor in perfume form. It is beautifully subtle. I walk by and it fills my heart with an inexplicable joy.

I long to slow time because I know their season is a very short one. Their beauty fades almost as quickly as it begins. All too soon they are gone.

The Psalmist likens our lives to the brief lives of these beautiful flowers:

“As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Psalm 103: 15,16

Time passes so quickly. It seems we turn around and our children our grown. Another turn, and they have children of their own. It is true. Life is brief.

It is not a reason to mourn, however. Like the beautiful Mountain Laurel flowers our lives have the potential for great beauty. As we live our lives filled with His Spirit,  we bless others with the sweet fragrance of Christ. He has given us everything we need. Just as He provides the sunshine and rain, He gives us every good and perfect gift in Jesus.

The fragrance of such a life not only blesses those around them, it rises to heaven and touches the heart of Him who loves us with an unending love:

“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation – an aroma redolent with life…” II Cor. 2: 14 -16

The best news, for those whose hearts are hidden in His, is that this brief life is only the beginning. It is merely a stepping stone into eternal life in heaven. We have only to invite Him in.

Blessings,

Linda