Laced With Grace

In His Time

  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.  A time to embrace and a time to turn away.   A time to search and a time to quit searching.  A time to keep and a time to throw away.   A time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to be quiet and a time to speak.  A time to love and a time to hate.  A time for war and a time for peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)

Timing is so important.  All the experiences listed in the above scripture are appropriate at certain times.

Jim and I have some important decisions to make; most of which have to do with our finances. One of our major decisions right now is in regards to our 17 year old car. Since purchasing the car in 2009 we have spent more money on repairs than it is currently worth.  We hate the thought of going into debt to purchase another vehicle – new or used.    In today’s economy one does not want to make a wrong or hasty decision.  When we do – it can lead to despair and even cause us to doubt or resent God’s timing.

The key to making sure we do not make hasty decisions is a four letter word most of us do not like to hear – WAIT.  This is so difficult when we believe we NEED whatever it may be – and sometimes we really may have a need, but God may want us to wait for His timing.  He only wants the best for us.  When we make a decision we need to have peace with God through prayer to discern, accept and appreciate God’s perfect timing.

So until Jim and I have peace, we choose to wait on God’s timing; trusting in His providence that our prayers will be answered in His time.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

In March of this year, many changes happened at the office I work at. Due to the economy, some of the jobs at our corporate office where cut. Unfortunately also my boss lost her job. She was not only a great person to work for, but she was also a major encourager.

I really had a hard time adjusting to the changes. I even thought about leaving the company. However, over time I have seen that God has me in a place where I can make a difference.

Over the last month I have had a peace that truly only can come from God. Every morning I thank the the Lord for another day. I ask Him to show me a situation where I can make a difference; situations where I can extend His grace to others.

I think that my main problem was that I was so fixated on my own circumstance, that I did not see the bigger picture. Sure I am still sad that I no longer work under my old boss, but things change.

I love what Paul said in his letter to the church in Philippi “…let you reasonableness be known to everyone…” Things don’t always work the way we think they should. We need to always be reasonable! We don’t have to be anxious about anything, because we have One who can give us the peace that surpasses all understanding.

I wanted to share this beautiful quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer with you. Ponder on this coming week…

“God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises…leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for the peace that surpasses all human understanding. Without Your peace I would be lost in the world of upheavals. There are always changes coming my way. May I always look to You and Your path for my life. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.

This is one of my personal favorite hymns for Good Friday/Easter; beautifully performed by Selah.

See you at the empty cross on Resurrection Sunday.