It may be the last chance To delight in snowflakes falling in the night sky Landing on my face Like kisses when you’re falling in love
Let the cold come quickly Wind, come and stir our spirits to the new that is trying so hard to emerge.
I opened the door of my heart to see And suddenly …. there it was Joy on my doorstep Piling up on the branches of trees that hold the stories of snows that have fallen here before. They lingered in memory just for this day.
Waiting on snow Like waiting on love Arriving like Joy on my doorstep Unpredictable and perfectly on time.
An encounter with grace overwhelms the soul. It sets the mind at ease with unbelief, as gratitude and awe rush in to fill the gap. You are seen. You are loved. You have not been judged without mercy. Rather, you are being redirected and restored into right relationship that brings blessing and peace.
Undeserved? Yes, and yet still offered. Unsolicited? Yes, and yet still offered. Uncontrollable? Yes, and yet still offered.
I am struck by the risk of giving grace. Jesus gave freely, even knowing that Peter would deny him at a pivotal moment on the journey. Jesus washed the feet of Judas even though those feet would soon be making a strategic exit to carry out his betrayal. Jesus shared friendship and fellowship with Mary Magdalene even though others would criticize him and still be analyzing the relationship thousands of years later, as if it could not just be received as good because God gave it.
The Scriptures are full of stories where our weaknesses and darkest struggles rise to the surface and war for a place at the table. Dysfunction, greed, malice, slander, vengeance, lust, and taking on the role of judge. God’s story with the ancients and with us reminds us of how fully we are seen by God, and how graciously we are also loved. Yes, even in full view.
Ezekiel is an ancient prophet who was given the work of speaking judgement against Israel. Because the nation had used the blessings and gifts of God with disregard for their sacredness, and had exchanged their loyalty for temporary pleasures of counterfeit gods, judgement has come. Upon them and upon the land. Judgement with required consequences. Judgement with promised redemption. A verse in this story jumps out at me. It comes after several verses explaining the offense and pending judgement:
62 So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. 63 Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” – Ezekiel 16:62-63
A promised atonement is coming. “when I make atonement..” and silence follows because the act of the Lord is so great and overwhelming. Paul speaks of a similar silence when he writes to the church in Rome, over 500 years later.
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:19-24
I have been silenced by this grace. In a moment or season of realizing the Lord has literally reached out the hand of Christ and pulled me from the miry clay! Setting my feet on the rock that is higher than I can ever be. Showing me again where the landing place is, where I am safe from my own devices. (Psalm 40; Psalm 61)
So perhaps we can say that there is also risk in receiving grace. Because receiving grace means we are stepping into a holy adventure with our Creator. It means beautiful things will happen that we didn’t anticipate and we can’t manufacture. Our hearts will grow in ways we never imagined could be possible. Receiving the grace of God slowly reframes how we walk through life…one moment at a time. That is a journey of faith.
It’s easy to look in a lot of other places for something that only God can give. It can become exhausting and confusing when those attempts don’t yield the promises we hoped they would bring. AND it is life-giving when the grace of God shows up in our lives and restores us. Whether it comes upon us unexpectedly, or we intentionally turn to the one who created us and is so ready to give…we are often left with silence. Gratitude that is beyond words.
The Psalms hold many prayers that lend words to assist. I offer these brief verses:
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. – Psalm 40:7-9
And as a thanksgiving:
1Praise awaitsyou, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. 2 You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. 3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgaveour transgressions. 4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. – Psalm 65:1-4
Prayer God, we are grateful for your grace! Thank you for revealing yourself in ways that take our breath away. Thank you for allowing us to be silenced by your acts of mercy in our lives. You understand the struggle and you keep picking us up and setting us in safe places. And by your grace, we stand. We stand because of your great love and mercy. Please take our hands and help us to keep moving forward with you. We trust you completely, Lord, and we love you. Amen.
Where do you need God’s grace in your life right now? How is God inviting you to offer grace to someone else?
Grief is one of many things we hold in common. We all do it differently. And while volumes have been written about ways to navigate through it, we consistently land in the reality of walking our hearts through the depth of gratitude and loss.
I’ve been cleaning, purging, and rearranging all week. It’s part of my navigation. All the hidden bones need to be found and removed. The rugs that Oreo had claimed for his own – purge. The place he would go to and wait for me to greet him every time I came home – rearrange.
All of this led to a big haul to the recycling center, and ultimately to rearranging the garage. It makes perfect sense, right? I couldn’t let go of the collars and leashes so I hung them up for a day when I’m ready. Pacing our hearts is a way to walk through loss. I have so much peace about his quick departure – he had a full life and we had some great years! But yeah, I’m keeping his collars for now.
I was looking for a carabiner to hang something in the garage. I have a lot of them so I looked up to see what was hanging and if there is an extra one I can use. At this point I’m on the finishing touches. I’ve hauled off, rearranged, swept…it’s looking pretty good; I just need to hang another thing or two. Where’s a carabiner…..?
My eyes found it and it hit me like a ton of bricks. His life jacket! I didn’t think about his life jacket….and here come the tears.
I took it down and sent it away. Full of tears and gratitude, I took a moment to look through the pictures of our 2020 adventure to the lake.
Ready to roll!Preparing to go!Somewhere newAssisting with yoga practiceOut in the open water!Cousin Cinder about to leap over Oreo!the joy of adventure!Me and my dogPincho and CinderThey are so proud they did it!
When it came time for our rhythm of life to “take a break”, our routine had to change in 2020. For the first time we packed up our stuff, including dogs, and headed to a cabin near the lake. We ventured out to let them explore…about 5 miles on the lake with a paddle board and kayak. So much fun!! The two dogs, one so young and the other a little bit “mature”, fully engaged in the whole adventure.
Like everything else, Oreo was cool with whatever was happening on any given day. He wanted to be included. Every day I find something else that was his alone (like bones hidden in the furniture cushions!), and every day I stumble on something we shared….like a lake adventure during a pandemic. A reminder…that keeping rhythms but changing the routine often helps us discover new blessings.
Any routines you’d like to change this summer? You might make a memory that blesses you for the rest of your life!
“I think my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3
People bring us joy and blessings. Animals do as well. God has been generous and kind to us through all of creation. When Paul writes to the church in Philippi he is full of joy and gratitude for their faithfulness. When this Scripture comes to my mind today, it is because my spirit is full of gratitude for God’s blessing in providing me with a canine companion to do life with for a little while. Oreo helped me laugh and see little joys in life! Who helps you?
Joy!
God, thank you for all the ways you help us to experience love and grace in this world. Please be near anyone who is navigating through the depths of grief. When it is possible for the memories to return in a way that blesses, please bring them to mind. And when it is not, please comfort the brokenhearted in whatever way is needed. Thank you, Jesus, for understanding the whole of our human experience. We love you and we trust you completely. Amen.
We don’t always get what we want, and sometimes we get what we didn’t know we need. We buried my faithful canine companion in the foggy morning sunrise today. My Pincho (sister) and I did it together. It was peaceful; a resting place for his furry body. He was 15 years old, and we had the gift of sharing the last 7 of those years. I didn’t find him online or in a newspaper ad, not even at a shelter. I was looking for something else when he chose me.
Epiphany 2017; a very cold January day, one of the coldest of the year. My sister and I drove to Kentucky in pursuit of a white dog that had been posted online as available in a shelter. We were there several hours before opening time but we were still second in line for this dog. By the time the shelter opened there were 15 cars in the parking lot, all in pursuit of this one white dog. I guess we all thought he was perfect.
“First person in line gets dibs on the dog”, they announced it well before 10am so no one would be disappointed. We took our chances. I’d waited 16 months since Tiki (another faithful companion) died. He was my partner in work, my companion at home. It took a long time to be ready to do it all again. Sometimes we really do have to pace our hearts.
While we waited I let my cousin know we were near, in case we needed a reference. We were crossing state lines to go to KY where this certain white dog was waiting in the shelter. The shelter finally opened. The man that was first in line definitely wanted the white dog, and we accepted our fate. I looked at all the dogs in the shelter that morning; none was the dog for me.
Just as we were leaving my cousin texted me to ask if we’d been able to get the dog we had hoped we could have. I shared the story and that we were soon to be on our way home to TN, without a dog and still glad we tried. And then my cousin said the thing we didn’t expect to hear. “One of my friends just posted that they are looking for a home for their dog. Do you want to meet him?”
Thinking it couldn’t hurt anything, we headed that way. Within ten minutes we were standing in the kitchen of a family home. There was a mom and three young boys (the dad wasn’t home at that moment), and there was this little dog running around the house. While we were just standing there, hearing their story, this little black & white shitzu named “Oreo” came straight over to me, sat down at my feet, and looked up at me as if to clearly speak, “I am going home with you!”
In a true whirlwind, within five or ten minutes we are loading the truck with a dog bed, food, pee pads, toys, and Oreo. I’d never been “chosen” in that way before by a completely strange dog that had no reason to like me. It was very clear, Oreo was going home with me.
Pick up day, Epiphany 2017Starting over…a new lifeThe many collars in our 7 years
There is always a lot to every family’s story. And no one can ever fully know someone else’s story. In this case the little boys were growing up and playing soccer and all the things. It was a busy family life, and Oreo was showing signs of not being pleased with the competing schedules. They were his third owner…I would be the fourth. His original person was elderly and died, leaving him to a surviving relative. He stayed with them for a year, but schedules were a challenge and a new home was found …with this family of five. It was perfect for about three years. But there is more.
There had been a situation where Oreo was missing for three weeks in the winter. It was cold in Kentucky and somehow, he survived on his own, but went through a very difficult time. He lost all of his hair and a lot of weight. And just when they had given up all hope of ever finding him, someone called. He had shown up at their door and he needed help. He still had on his collar. Soon he was reunited with his family and they began helping him get restored to health. When we met him, he was looking good; his tail was thin and really the only sign that anything had ever happened.
I brought him home to TN. He was not the breed I was hoping for, nor the age or size, or anything else for that matter. But there was no mistake about him choosing me as we stood in that kitchen. He wanted to come home with me and I didn’t feel like I could do anything except bring him home. And for a whole year, I didn’t take him anywhere. I spent a lot of time with him and tried to give him a sense that he wasn’t going to be going anywhere else; he was “home”. We got to know one another. He slowly began to trust that I was going to be “his” and that he was safe. And I slowly began to accept that he was the dog I needed.
So we went to work. Almost every day. Whatever I was doing, I put him to doing it too. And he excelled.
Visiting kids at churchStaff stress reliefGreeting Pastor CarlisleAttending the girls small group meetinghating the bows placed by groomers waiting for the next assignmentBeing grateful for the youth staffGreeting visitors at the airport; friends arriving!Sharing bone time with Cinder (cousin)Visiting the injuredVisiting the sickStealing cookies from the youth group!
He did all the work and was fabulous at it! He seemed to know his job: encouragement and love.
He also learned to love “us”. He was included in the family gatherings, as most dogs do. He was able to express love and appreciation, even entertain whoever showed up for the “there’s always room for one more” invitation. I was so grateful to see him embrace this life!
Grandmother time always a hit! On the road togetherHe loves his Auntie Pincho so much!Canoe adventure with cousin CinderMinistry is hard work; tired!Keep it simple; low stressWaiting for youWinter potrait with cousin Cinder and Auntie PinchoChristmas greetingHe loved his grandmother!Always quick to secure a boneIt’s who I am
There is so much more! For today…I just want to honor what a gift Oreo was to my life and to the work we shared. I’m grateful he didn’t suffer in this life when he was old. I’m thankful we had so many moments to make clear that we knew the blessing we’d been given. I’m glad he chose me on that cold Epiphany in 2017. And by God’s grace I was able to receive what was being given.
We left the church last night in silence, after watching the purple vestments of the Lenten season carefully removed from the altar. Each pastor lifted the stole from the neck of their robes and handed them over, expressing the surrender and darkness of what is unfolding. It was all taken away…the bread and cup, the vestments, the vessels, and the crucifer.
I had a deep sense of pending loss. Of persecution or injury, perhaps, to the church that we know. A time when our practice is rejected. A season in which we are called to face the reality of what we have allowed, or not allowed. Maybe complacency. Or perhaps enjoying the comfort and security of a religion that has largely moved us along in a direction we could all embrace. It didn’t require more than we were willing to give.
But what is this? What is this cross that keeps showing up in the middle of our beautiful practice? What is this pain that keeps emerging? Some discomfort that says something is not quite right. What are these signs that say, “no more”? The cross is part of the redemptive story; we can’t remove it. If it is the way of redemption, why do we treat sacrifice as if it doesn’t belong in the story we are living every day?
Is that our denial? Like Peter, “we don’t know him”, because it doesn’t match anything we expected out of life. What a disappointment it must have been for Peter. He thought he was part of God’s kingdom coming to fulfillment. Instead, the one he has known as Messiah is under arrest and all signs point to crucifixion. It’s messy. It’s awkward. There’s too much mercy in all the wrong places. Peter took such a risk to go down this path, and it’s falling apart. “I don’t know him”.
It feels better when we can point to someone else’s failure or sin as the cause of our disruption. It makes it easier to not see the cross in my own house if I’m peering out at my neighbor’s unkept lawn. I can forget that I may be contributing to the injustice in our world if I keep my eyes focused on the way my colleague, or family, or friend, or enemy is doing life so imperfectly. Ughh…. So many voices were there on what we call “Good Friday”.
Pilate in his role of leadership and order. High priests in their role of religious expertise and upholding the righteousness of God. Disillusioned and disappointed disciples that can’t understand why Jesus is letting this all happen. Crowds that love the drama and the chance to express their anger onto a helpless man whose sheer physical suffering makes them feel powerful. Shouts of cruelty. Physical injury. The sport of condemnation and humiliation. Women who refuse to leave and can’t hold back their tears for what the men are doing to one another and to the one they know is Christ; observers of those in charge. Others who are ready to take advantage of the moment and get what they want out of the situation; making sure their seat in eternity is secure.
So many voices were there. Enough that I can find myself somewhere in the scene, although it would feel much better to imagine I’d be walking through those hours more faithfully than they did.
Sitting with the text of Good Friday, I do wonder, in what ways am I ignoring the part of the gospel that teaches us that sacrifice is included in the way of redemption? The kingdom of God is fulfilled on earth, not by my comfort, but by through sacrificial suffering and living with Christ’s death and resurrection. The invitation Jesus makes is to let our selfishness die, allowing God’s spirit in us to become fully alive.
It really does mean, “not my will, but thine”. It does mean setting aside my pride and desire for success and taking up obedience in whatever way God asks me to be obedient in any season. Like Jonah appointed to Nineveh or Peter being instructed to eat what was once “unclean”, it means Jesus becomes Lord of my life, and I follow him.
It means I need to stop telling myself a story that makes me feel better about the cross I’m refusing to take up to follow Jesus.
So many voices were there at his arrest, while the humiliation and trials take place; the condemnation is secured, as the crucifixion is planned and executed.
Lingering on Good Friday, I am struck silent in realizing how many voices are present right now, doing the same: hurling insults, inflicting injury, making fun, condemning, discounting, and shouting, “crucify!”.
I remember echoes of Jesus teaching something like: “whatever you did for the least of these you also did for me.” And “whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.” – Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
Is it a misinterpretation to say, whatever I do to someone else, I am also doing to Christ?
I hear a voice speaking through my pondering. It is clear. There is a way we are to live in all seasons. Seasons of war and peace. Seasons of plenty and seasons of famine. Jesus gave the disciples a new command. It has not changed over time. There is no “revised” version. It contains no trademark, logo, denomination, flag or label:
Love one another as I have loved you. This is how they will know you are my disciples.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Lord, on this Good Friday when we tell your story, help us to tell it humbly and truthfully. Lord, on this Good Friday, when we hear the story, help us to receive it fully. Lord, through this Triduum, help us to see the places in our lives where we are denying you and refusing to carry the cross that will lead us into the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We have no good apart from you, Lord, and we are quite helpless to save ourselves. Come quickly Lord Christ to assist. Thank you for not giving up on us. Amen.
I live in this holy sacred space Silence our shared language Mystery of the morning hours Returning at night when dreams make sleep move over to the other side Leaving me with scenes to ponder.
Prayer comes breath by breath grounding me somewhere you Ask me to be. I don’t always know where you’re taking me.
Your presence is Always enough. Like the sound of the voice of Someone I love You almost need to do nothing except make me aware of your Presence.
“…in your presence there is fullness of joy and life everlasting.”
Psalm 16:11 Ash Wednesday, 2024 Vona Rose Wilson 2/14
We were sitting in the Chapel of my hometown church in Princeton, Kentucky. The casket of a community legend focused our attentions. She was a teacher in a small town. There is not a life here that is left untouched by her 90+ years. Fall flowers offered beauty and praise. And we visited. Old friends. Our stories and memories colliding in the wrinkles of our faces. Laughter. Gratitude. Surprise. Collectively we have lived many years. We hold so much from this small town.
The drive there and back is blessed by the trees of Tennessee and Kentucky. We get it all! Every color. The depth of changes. Some green lingers to remind us change is around the corner, or just a few hours down the road. A few bare limbs make clear the winter ahead. Stories shared along the way full of new life springing up from old. Mom tells the story of the first time Dick attended church with her when they were dating. We listen a little deeper.
My reading this morning includes the fifth and sixth chapter of Mark. I am struck by the power that is experienced with just a touch of Jesus. The desire and seeking of many people just to get close enough to touch him, with the hope of being healed.
55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (Mark 6:55-16 NIV)
The halls of my hometown church hold their own memories. I ran and walked those halls with all the love and comfort a community of faith offers. Every adult, both young and old, knew my name and watched for me as part of that love. Someone was always paying attention. We were loved and we knew it, even though we didn’t know what we were experiencing.
I suppose we were like the people who ran from wherever they were to see if they could touch Jesus. Or that Jesus might see them and reach out with a touch. A touch that holds love. And healing. And hope.
It is raining this morning and the leaves will drop at the arrival of wind and colder temps. The beautiful colors will soon be replaced by the stark strength of bare limbs standing strong, clearly prepared for the coming winter. This week is a change, marked not by dates on the calendar but by the surrounding voice in creation showing us; the time has come.
I suspect there are many of us who are running towards something right now to see if we might experience just a touch of healing. My faith tells me that there are also many of us who carry the love, hope, and grace of Christ to share. Maybe our collective prayer today is simply that our paths allow us to connect, for healing to come, and for the love of Jesus to touch us again.
Lord, thank you for the many ways you offer us your love and healing touch. However we need to experience that today, help us to receive it. And if there is any way you have equipped us to share your healing with someone else, we trust you will allow our paths to connect just as it needs to be. Thank you for the grace we see in your creation’s beauty; thank you for the grace we experience in our ordinary lives.
Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord! Bless his name! Share the news of his saving work every single day! Declare God’s glory among the nations; declare his wondrous works among all people because the Lord is great and so worthy of praise. He is awesome beyond all other gods because all the gods of the nations are just idols, but it is the Lord who created heaven! Greatness and grandeur are in front of him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. – Psalm 96:1-6
Does singing really matter? My grandfather had a habit of singing while he drove his old truck down country roads. Occasionally I had the unexpected pleasure of riding with him. I remember a song he made up and sang often: I know a little song Not too long Tulip! Tulip! That’s all gone!
He also talked about time with God while he was on the tractor, which was hours upon hours of his life. I suspect there were many songs that came from his lungs and mouth in that time.
The song we sing in faith is not about the quality of our voices or the melody that flows. It is what happens to our bodies and spirits when we lift out of our situations and circumstances and just sing. Try it. Make it up if you need to. If you were going to sing a song of God’s glory today, what would it be? What melody or words are within you of praise for God’s greatness right now?
God, I thank you for your peace that moves through our lives in all seasons. I praise you for the many ways you show us your creativity that is new every moment of the day and throughout the long night. I sing “Holy! Holy!” when no other words can say what you are stirring within me. We shout “Thank you! Hallelujah!” for your grace and mercy that is beyond our comprehension. We offer our praise and adoration today for your love that never stops reaching out and revealing itself among us. Help us to sing a new song today. Move into our moments of grief, celebration, play and work. Help us to sing of you! Amen.
When you need a little help getting that song going, God has blessed people with incredible gifts to assist. Enjoy!
I appreciate a Monday holiday so much; it comes like a breath of fresh air. At the same time, it is easy for me to forget to give myself a bit of grace for the remaining days of the week. That feeling of “falling short” comes too quickly as Tuesday morning arrives! It happens in other moments too. Can you relate?
We feel behind before we ever begin.
We review our words and actions, only to find we fell far short of what we intended.
Instant communication preempted a well-timed note or call.
Interruptions prevented the intentional act of kindness.
We experience a “holiday” with no buffer of an added day to “make up” for it.
We go on “vacation” but need time to recover from the travel.
Just stop. Take a deep breath. We are not “behind” on anything; we are simply where we are today. In many cultures time to rest is part of living. In many cultures time spent with family and friends is more important than production.
In the culture of the kingdom of God – there are priorities. Begin with what is most important for the day; the remaining tasks will fill in all the spaces.
Perhaps we step into this week with a pace that trusts our Creator more than we trust our desires and demands of ourselves and others.
This morning my reading included a chapter in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. A particular verse landed on my mind and heart:
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. – Romans 11:32
Where we fall short, God’s mercy is abundant. This is a human condition that we all share; we all fall short (Romans 3). We are all in need of God’s mercy and grace. How is God’s mercy being made available for you today?
The “doxology” that comes after Romans 11:32 may be a way for us to acknowledge the wisdom and mercy of God as we walk into the remaining days of the week:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36
Holy God, we acknowledge you and thank you for the gift of life today. For those who grieve and struggle in any way, grant your mercy in abundance. May your peace move into the pace and space of our days so that we walk more humbly wherever we go. Reveal yourself in ways that help each of us and all of us see you. Give us courage to follow you when you make yourself known. We love you, Lord, and we trust you completely. Amen.
Psalm 15 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things will never be shaken. (NIV)
At a time when it often feels like everything is being “shaken”, the words of this ancient prayer land differently for me. I’m reading it silently and then out loud. My pen is underlining words to sear the wisdom a little deeper.
No slander. No slur. No wrong to a neighbor. Speaking truth from the heart. Keeping an oath even when it hurts. What a different experience we would all have if we intentionally practice what is contained in the five verses of this prayer! But not just a “different experience” …
The Scripture says there will be dwelling in the holy space.
The result is not that challenges and difficulty cease. The result is not being shaken by the difficulties that are part of this life. “Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”
Jesus urged his disciples to “abide” in him. Stay connected. Let’s dwell together. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) That is the way that leads us into the holy space.
A practice that may assist when we feel the desire to say or do what we know is harmful, is simply to name that with the Lord, and ask for help to not act in destructive ways. If the slurs and slander of another are not acted upon, the harm is not spread. Speaking to God or a trusted spiritual friend about our feelings allows us a holy space of confession. A space where Christ meets us and works on our hearts. We work it together. We clear what doesn’t need to set up dwelling; we let go so we can receive what is good.
The blessing in the holy space of confession is found in another prayer, Psalm 32. Read it here: https://bit.ly/holyspace
Keeping an oath may hurt, breaking covenant destroys. The LORD is the one who redeems. If life is shaking you right now, reach out for the one whose hand is already reaching for you. Your Creator can be trusted.
Lord, as we pray this prayer together with the words of Psalm 15, give us grace to live with you and in you. Thank you for receiving us as we are and restoring us to the wholeness you gave your life for us to have. We love you, Lord, and we trust you completely. Amen.
Life in the Deep End 