Laced With Grace

We have vacationed at the beach many times in the past ten years. I just love the sound of the waves rushing in. Something about it just soothes me. Any frustrations, problems or stress that I may have just seems to wash out with each wave.

The thing about the ocean is that the same calming water can quickly turn into a raging storm. If your not careful and if you don’t watch for the signs, you can easily get caught right in the middle of it. Have you ever considered what your plan of action would be if you were in the middle of the ocean on your boat and suddenly it capsized…what would you do?

Most of us would probably panic. While others who are calm and organized would look for the life jackets or an emergency flare. But what if when the boat capsized, all of the emergency equipment got dumped into the deep waters and were out of your reach, what then?

I am not an award winning Olympic swimmer, so what I would do is probably stay with the capsized boat. Hold on for dear life and ride out the waves until help came. I know it wouldn’t be easy, with each wave slapping me hard, I would probably get tired of hanging on and eventually I might want to just give up, taking the risk of drowning.

If such a situation came up for real in our lives, I have to ask, why could we hang on for dear life and fight to the end but yet when the same scenario plays out in our spiritual life, we are not as eager to stay afloat or fight the raging winds?

MARK 4:39,40 39 “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And He said unto them, ‘Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?’ “

WHY are we so fearful? Jesus Himself asked the question. When financial difficulties, or physical ailments or relationship issues strike us, why do we become scared and unsure? The bank or a doctor may be able to help you for a time, but when you feel like you are all alone like Job was, when you are about to sink, where does your strength and resource come from?

Prior to going sailing, it is important to know where the anchor is….but more importantly, when you are sailing thru life it is even more important to know WHO your Anchor is! I know it is early in 2012 and most of us have had clear sailing so far, but as the days, weeks and months roll by, some of us are bound to come up against some mighty winds and roaring waves that just may knock us off of our sailing vessel. It is important to be prepared for such a time. Make sure that your faith, and endurance is anchored in the One Who can calm any storm.

Do you know the Master of the wind?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, in days ahead I know that trials and tribulations are bound to hit. I pray today that You will give me the strength, the power and the wisdom to hold on during these times. May I have Job-like faith and give you praise no matter what my circumstances may be. When life throws me a mighty big wave that seems to want to pull me under, may I hold on tight to Your anchor as you calm my storm. AMEN

Many times we come to place in our prayers where we know if God doesn’t do something big it’s not going to happen. When our request involves someone changing their minds, all of a sudden our belief may take a nose dive.

Especially, if the person involved doesn’t seem to have any intention on changing their minds. Recently, I had a situation come up where I felt (ok, I heard) that something I was hoping to do was going to get a no. It just didn’t fit into the overall plan.

Thankfully, I learned a verse last year, really just a portion of a verse tucked into a book not read often. Ezra.

A phrase in verse one stole my breath, “the LORD moved the heart of…” I don’t know what your situation is today, but our God can move hearts. Hearts that belong to Him or hearts that don’t, He can move either.

Tucked away, in a book that not many of us read I suppose. Maybe this is an example of the treasures that are hidden in God’s word. My heart needed encouraged and you can be assured that I have been asking God to move the heart of someone involved in a situation in my own life.

Do you need to ask God to move a heart for you too?

We would love to pray for you. Leave comment below and we’ll ask a heart to be moved on your behalf.

Sometimes I wonder if my prayers even matter. Other times, when my faith is strong, I know they do.

Isn’t it funny how our feelings can affect our prayer life?

Lately I’ve been feeling like my prayers aren’t being heard. I don’t see any changes and believe me, it’s been years. Why do I continue to pray the same ole prayers? I feel like I am knocking on a door that may never open.

And then I remember my grandma.

My grandma was a quiet soul. She lived a humble life in a small apartment but she prayed big. And because of her prayers, my dad knows Jesus. At one point I am sure she wondered if her prayers made a difference because my dad’s life was a mess. Drugs and alcohol were destroying him.

Today he is sober and a man of prayer himself.

God heard my grandma and He answered, not in the timing she wanted I’m sure, but He answered.

One simple prayer can change everything. And that prayer just might be yours today.

Please don’t give up praying for your loved ones.

There is still hope!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

Romans 12:12

Praying with hope,

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany