A Beautiful Mess

I am a do it myself kind of gal. In many parts of my life, I simply decide that God needs a little help and I opt to "give him a hand". Inevitably, that is precisely when life really starts to get messy.

With my limited perspective, things inevitably get tangled, and before long my situation look ugly. Discouraged and overwhelmed, I must then hand it all back to God and ask Him to fix my mess. Sometimes I picture God, shaking His holy head and nudging Jesus as He says, "Watch this. When will she ever learn? She is such a mess maker!"

Thankfully, my mess is nothing compared my God's love for me.
He forgives my sin.
Comforts me in my pain.
Assures me all is well.
For He is not shaken by my mess.
In fact, one day this mess shall become beautiful.

Despite my mess, God sees the best in me. Where others see failure, the LORD sees potential. When He looks upon my mess, He sees His Son. Jesus took my mess to the Cross. And because of Christ's great sacrifice, I can boldly approach the throne and present myself to God. Mess and all.

Even though I will never be worthy, He draws me near with assurance. For "the Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever." (Psalm 138:8 NIV)Since I am His child, the LORD willingly takes my mess. Then, God uses it for His glory.

Dear Heavenly Father,
How grateful I am that You, great God, are big enough to get Your hands dirty with a mess like me. I praise You for the ways You work in my life to clean up the messes I leave behind. Forgive me, Father, for my careless mistakes. Let your great love and power be the driving force that cleans up the mess I leave behind. Give me guidance as I teach my children to avoid the mess, and run straight to you, LORD.
-Amen

Reflection: What mess in your life requires God's intervention?

Mercy

"Here we go." I thought to myself.

I took a deep breath as I braced myself for the worst. It had been a long day, and an ugly confrontation with my daughter in front of a captive audience was not on my "to do" list. I felt the tension building in every part of my body as I imagined the scene about to unfold. Carefully, I considered my parenting options.

Door number 1: A warning that would no doubt be dismissed.
Door number 2: Consequences...ugh.
Where was door number 3?

Then I heard God speak sweetly, "Be gentle. Try mercy."

Mercy. It could work. So, I took a deep breath and sent up a silent prayer. Then, I softly said Sofie's name and beckoned her to come near. At first, she refused and shook her head in displeasure at the notion of relenting to me.

So, I tried again. "Come here sweety," I said softly. Slowly, Sofie ambled over and stood in front of me. Jaw set. Eyes fixed on me. Honestly, she was ready for a fight. Then, I did something that took her by surprise.

There was no lecture about consequences for bad choices.

Nor was there a reminder of expectations or manners in public.

Instead, I offered her mercy and whispered, "I know you are hungry and tired. It's been a busy afternoon. We will eat soon. I love you." Then, I took her in my arms and held her close. In that moment, I felt her body relax as she fell into my hug. With that, Sofie's face softened along with her attitude.

Later that evening, as I tucked her into bed, my sweet daughter said, "Mommy. I am sorry I didn't come to you right away. You know, when you asked me to come over to you today. I should have listened. I'm sorry." In the end, I got the result I wanted. Peace had been maintained. Sofie had complied with my wishes. But more than that, mercy had trumped rebellion.

Grateful for the peaceful end to our day, I closed the bedroom door behind me and lifted my heart to the LORD. Exhausted, I fell onto the couch as I considered my daughter's change of heart from earlier. How differently the scene might have been if I had chosen another way! In His wisdom, God had led me to offer my little girl mercy. While there is a time and place for consequences, in this case, mercy was enough. After all, there are things more critical than Sofie being a well-behaved little girl.

In the big picture, I want her to become the God fearing woman she was created to be when God wove her together before she was born. I am reminded that moments like this mold and shape sweet Sofie's heart towards her Heavenly Father. For we are told "blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7 NIV)

For a moment, I thought about my own heart and the merciful ways God has worked in my life. Second chances. Divine interventions. Truly, I have seen "the LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." (Psalm 103:8 NIV)If I want my little girl to know mercy, I must first show her what it means to be merciful.

As the heart of our home, it is my job to show my children the very heart of God. Truly, I must not be short-sighted and squander these subtle opportunities where God is investing in my daughter's life. At times, it's best to avoid the fight, scrap the consequences, and choose mercy.

Heavenly Father,
Your mercy amazes me. How compassionate you are towards your children. Help us to be a reflection of your mercy to our children. Let us look to you for wisdom to pick our moments carefully and reflect your heart in their lives.
-Amen

Reflection: How is God challenging you to show His mercy today?

Beautiful

You are beautiful.

Let me say that again...YOU are beautiful.

Not because of what the world says.
Not due to your waist measurements. Your hair color. Or a number on a scale.
Not because of your age. The number of wrinkles visible on your sweet face. Nor the accessories that you carry.

No. You are beautiful.
The One who created you declares it so!

In fact, "The king is enthralled by your beauty…"
(Psalm 45:11NIV)

God is captivated by the elderly woman, whose face is filled with lines and a knowing expression of peace and wisdom. He sees her radiance and calls her beautiful.

God is enamoured by the young lady, inspired and passionate, coming into her womanhood and becoming all that He intended. He guides her steps, sees her potential,and He calls her beautiful.

God is dazzled by that mother, struggling to raise her child up for Him. Caught in the culture war that says wrong is right and right is wrong. He hears her prayers, sees her courage and calls her beautiful.

And God delights in that little girl experimenting with her femininity as she cares for baby dolls, holds imaginary tea parties, and plays dress-up with her mother's high heals and old make-up. He sees her wondrous innocence and calls her beautiful.

You are beautiful, dear one. At every age. In every season of life. God calls you beautiful. Not in spite of your quirky imperfections, but because of them.

Believe it.
Embrace it.
Celebrate your unique beauty.

For the Lord longs to sweep you off your feet in a beautiful way today.

Deeply Loved

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins"-1 John 4:10

I am loved.

Limitless.
Enduring.
It is a love like no other I have ever known.

Everlasting.
Sacrificial.
There is no explanation for who I am to Him.
Still, He calls me beloved and sent His Son to die for me.

And when I ponder His love for me...What He gave for me,
How He redeemed my life,
restored my soul,
set my feet upon a path that would bring Him glory.

I know, beyond all doubt...

I am loved.

Completely.
Unconditionally.
Eternally.

Deeply loved am I.

Heavenly Father,
How blessed we are to be called your children and how amazed we are by your love. Thank you for sending us Jesus, who died on the Cross for the sins of man, making a way for us to be reconciled to you through sacrificial love. It is a love that endures the troubles we endure in this world, and it is a love that sets us free to do Your will. How great it is to be loved by You, O God.
-Amen

Reflection: How has God revealed His love for you personally?

One

Too many numbers have been swirling in my mind lately.

Numbers regarding birthdays, hours in a day, and bills to pay. Numbers that make my brain hurt and my heart fret. Numbers that remind me how small I am and fill me with doubt.

So I stop and breathe deep step away from the numbers for awhile, as I realign my heart with God's. He sees the numbers too. But He is not hindered by them. For the LORD knows I am small. He uses me anyway so that He can be that much BIGGER! The simple truth is, life comes down to where I place my trust. And as a woman of faith I am taught my strength does not come in numbers, but in the power of the LORD.

Today, and everyday, I must understand that “Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) (NIV)

And when I take my eyes off the numbers and place them back on my Holy God, sitting on his throne, opening His heart and hands to me, I offer my praise for He is the One.


The One who knows my name.
The One who sees my troubles.
The One who sets my course.

The One who picked me up, dusted me off, and declared me His child by the blood of Christ.

He is the One...

And that is the only number that truly matters.

Heavenly Father,

All the gold and all the riches belong to you. Help us to trust in Your provision. Show us the path you would have us take that leads to Your glory. We praise you for you are the One who brings all things together for Your good and perfect will.

-Amen

Reflection: What numbers are you thinking about today?

Tent Dweller

"I write your address in pencil because your family is always on the move," my loved one said pointedly. The words stung for a moment, even though I knew they were true. In the course of our marriage, Marty and I have packed up and moved many times. Sometimes the moves were exciting, others painful. Always, moving required faith and a lot of work. I am tired of moving and I sometimes feel as though we are tent dwellers.

Most of the time, I rest assured in the fact that my future rests with God. Other days, however, I confess my heart grows heavy as I ponder the uncertainties before me. On days like today, when my heart desperately yearn for a permanent home, I lay myself humbly before God. I ask for strength. I beg for assurance. And in His love, I am gently reminded that my home lies with Him. I am "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10 NIV)

But today, I wait in my tent. Somewhere between the reality of what has been and the dream of what tomorrow shall bring is where you will find me camped. Only God knows when or if I shall be instructed to pull up stakes. As I wait on His plans for our family to unfold, my eyes are fixed on my Heavenly Father. He has a history of taking care of tent dwellers like me. Looking through my Bible, I find that I am in good company.

Like Abraham, one who picked up his tent and followed God to a new land, I hope to be found faithful as I wait for God's direction and provision. And though I am not exactly comfortable in my circumstances, I am slowly learning to place my security in God alone. For "unless the LORD builds the house, the builder labors in vain." (Psalm 127:1 NIV)

Heavenly Father,
You are the One true God. Your plans for us are always good. At times, we cling too tightly to the temporary things of this world. Help us to submit every area of our lives to you. See in us those places where we might be hanging on too tightly, and help us to trust in You alone.
-Amen

Reflection: How are you a tent dweller?

Beauty And Ashes

When I was eight years old, I had a dream that our house was on fire. With flames blazing out of control, I watched helplessly as my home burned to the ground. Filled with fear, I awoke startled and confused. Through prayer, I regained my peace at God's presence comforted me.

Ironically, only weeks later, my family’s home burned to the ground. Furniture. Clothing. Toys. Photographs. Everything was gone. All that remained was a smoldering pile of ash. My family had no choice but to start over. Looking back, I now see that the fire was actually a new beginning. For in time, God made beauty from ashes.

It was the first of many fires in my life. Career. Finances. Relationships. I have watched helplessly as each have burned in the fires of refinement in different seasons. At times, all seemed lost. Yet, without fail, God has made something beautiful from the ashes left behind. In every loss, I see God's unfailing love covering me like a warm blanket on a cold winter's night.

When the flames of refinement burn wildly out of control, I recall the way God uses fire for His glory. We are told, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10 NIV) As we walk in the fire, God is at work, strengthening and preparing us for His purpose. Be assured, “These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV) Eventually, the flames will die. The smoke will clear. The ash will cool. Yet, beauty remains.

Periodically, life heats up for all of God's children. In the smoldering fires of loss, God creates something new and beautiful in our lives. Though the fire seemingly bring destruction, we must always remember that all is not lost. For a time is coming when God will “bestow on a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3 NIV) Without fail, God trades beauty for ashes.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Loss is so painful. As our hearts break, help us be mindful of your presence. Draw us near and bring comfort as only you can, Lord. And let us not forget that you shall restore all that has been lost and trade beauty for ashes.
-Amen

Reflection: How is God refining you today and how may I pray for you?