Laced With Grace

I’m kinda quiet at times, especially in large groups.  I’m a bit of an introvert that way.  So navigating the whole blogging world is still somewhat of a challenge to me because even in the privacy of my home, behind the safety of my computer screen I’m still the girl who although she loves the Lord, loves to share him, loves to laugh, talk and voice her opinions, still find it easier to do so in small familiar groups…

Staying in a comfort zone is easy for me but ever so often God allows me to meet up with people who encourage me to go beyond my comfort zone.  One such person is our dear Iris.  I think it was about six years ago that I met Iris.  I don’t know if she visited my blog first or I visited hers but I know that over the years I’ve known her she has been such an encourager.

I remember her encouraging me to join the Christian Women’s blog ring, to participate in different memes like, In Other Words and to share my writing more.  She especially encouraged me with my poetry.  Poetry is my choice writing form to record the highs and lows of life so it’s always more difficult to share than any other writings.  However whenever I would share a poem on my blog there always seem to be a beautiful comment, like the one below, from Iris shortly after…(Hope you don’t mind me sharing my friend)

Your poems are always beautiful, Bernadine. You should really put them together in a book

Then in 2007 after knowing me for a relatively short time she gave me an opportunity to write for Laced With Grace.  This again pushed me beyond my comfort zone of mainly writing for a teen girl audience.  I never thought I’d last this long at it but somehow, even though I neglect my own blog for long periods of time when the LWG schedule comes out, I find myself in front of the computer asking God to give me something to share because I don’t want to disappoint someone who has been such a blessing in my life.

I had no real plan to write about Iris when I sat down however, what better place to honor someone I respect so much than on the platform she gave me access to, a place that brings women of all ages and stages in life together for a common purpose to encourage each other in the Lord.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more,
running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.  Luke 6:38 (NLT)

Dear Iris, you have given generously from the heart to others, to encourage them in ministry and in life.  I pray in the words of the scripture above that when you need it most your gift (of encouragement) will return to you.  May God bless you and keep you as you continue to do His Work.

The streets and sidewalks of this great city were quiet on the morning we took this walk, gasping for breath as we climbed one hill after another. It was a different scene on the day we arrived, a busy, bustling Saturday afternoon. The beautiful weather had drawn everyone outdoors, and it was hard to walk against the press of people all around us. The air was filled with the harmony of different languages blended together into one lovely melody. The different races and nationalities formed a colorful human rainbow.

We took a seat to watch them all walk by – so many of them – and I thought about the Father who knows each one by name. “How is it possible, Lord?” I thought. So many, and this is just one small corner of your great big world. How can You see us all; know every heart; hear every whispered prayer; love each one with such longing? It seems impossible, and yet that is just what He does. He sees each one of us as though we were His only child.

I was reminded of this when I read just what I needed to hear from Him the other morning. Always, He supplies what I need. I am only one, and yet He gives me His undivided attention every moment of every day. I have wrestled with this question of suffering and unanswered prayer and trust. It is, I find, a long journey in understanding. Just when you think you have made it to the end of the road, you find it is only a sharp curve that leads you further still.

Longing for help and reassurance, I read Elisabeth Elliot’s words:

“Instead of seeing His everlasting love, tenderly bending down to our humanness, longing over each one of us with a father’s speechless longing, we sometimes think of Him as indifferent, inaccessible or just plain unfair. The worst pains we experience are not those of the suffering itself but of our stubborn resistance to it, our resolute insistence on our independence. To be “crucified with Christ” means what Oswald Chambers calls “breaking the husk” of that independence. ‘Has that break come?’ he asks. ‘All the rest is pious fraud.’ And you and I know, in our heart of hearts, that that sword-thrust…is the straight truth. If we reject this cross, we will not find it is this world again. Here is the opportunity offered. Be patient. Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. He holds every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year in His hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there. ‘Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup’ (Ps 16:5). Shall we not gladly say, ‘I’ll take it , Lord! YES! I’ll trust you for everything. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

There it always is – trust. Not simply trust, however, but trust in One Who loves me with a love beyond measure. He loved me so much He sent His Son to die in my place. Is it not a love worthy of my trust? Yes, and so much more.

Blessings,

It’s happening. I turned 50 on my last birthday and now my memory is slipping. I forget what I’ve told to which family member and can’t remember where I laid my cell phone.

It’s happening. I turned 50 on my last birthday and now my memory is slipping. See there!

All kidding aside, my memory really isn’t what it used to be. When I was in my thirties I didn’t even use a calendar. I simply remembered events, birthdays, places, and times.

Forgetting the time of my dentist appointment is a small thing. I can handle that easily with the calendar and alarm on my cell phone (if I can remember where I left it). But I also tend to forget the activity and blessings of God in my life. Recently, a Jewish patriarch reminded me of this spiritual short-coming.

In Genesis chapter 12, we read how Abram and his wife, Sarai left Canaan for Egypt to escape a severe famine. You may know the story. Because of Sarai’s beauty, Abram asked her to pretend to be his sister. Abram didn’t want any lustful Egyptian to kill him for his gorgeous spouse.

Well, Pharaoh himself spotted Sarai and took her into his house. Thankfully God intervened. He put a stop to all the shenanigans by bringing “great plagues” on Pharaoh and his house. When Pharaoh discovered the deception he returned Abram’s wife and sent them safely on their way.

Abram had failed to trust God with the situation, but still God protected them. I’m sure Abram took note of God’s loving and powerful activity on their behalf.

Fast forward twenty years or so. Abram and Sarai are now “Abraham” and Sarah.” Guess what happened when Abraham and his nomadic family moved close to King Abimelech. Afraid of the powerful ruler, Abraham once again fabricated a tale to protect himself. And although this lie was technically a half-truth (Sarah was his half-sister, Genesis 20:12), Abraham’s actions reveal two things. First, he did not trust God to work in the situation and second, he had a short memory regarding God’s previous activity in his life.

I find it quite easy to point out spiritual flaws in biblical characters so Abraham’s story generated quick criticism. “How could Abraham fall again to the same temptation? God protected him before!”

But then God reminded me that He preserved this record as an example for me. I should learn from Abraham’s story. So, I must confess: I also have spiritual memory loss. I tend to forget the wonderful works of God in my life. I don’t remember all His incredible blessings. If I did, I would live differently today. I would trust Him more. I would rest more fully in His provision.

What about you? Do you remember or like me, do you have spiritual memory loss? What are some ways we can remember what God has done so we don’t make the same mistakes again?