I enjoyed tap, ballet and jazz
lessons as a girl, but that doesn’t make me much of a dancer these decades
later. I admire those lithe bodies that
can weightlessly and effortlessly move with such grace and beauty, but no
longer have a body capable of any such movement. So, I watch and enjoy the performances.
I find particular beauty in ballroom
dancing, especially the waltzes. The
gentleman takes the lady by the hand and leads her around the room in mirrored
movement. It is lovely to behold them
gaze into the other’s eyes and focus solely upon their partner and the dance
they share.
In the darkest times of my life God has lifted me
by the hand, and looked me in the eye, and walked me to a place of peace and
comfort – that passes all understanding. It is a waltz of sorts - Him leading me by the hand, me following with focus solely on Him. When I find myself in His arms, His peace
overshadows all that is going on around me.
Maybe you too have had life experiences that left you nowhere to go but
on your knees to His arms. It is a wonderful place
to be.
Dance With Jesus From Grief to Grace
A new friend and sister in
Christ, Susan B. Mead, has written a book entitled Dance With Jesus, From Grief to Grace. http://www.amazon.com/Dance-With-Jesus-Grief-Morgan/dp/1630473073/ In it she introduces us to her very normal
life, and acquaints us with her loving and endearing family members, like our
very own. When tragedy strikes, and
grief hits and hits hard, she is given a precious gift. A gift of grace to make
it through this otherwise unbearable time.
You will love her tender heart and loving spirit as she walks you through this
part of her life journey, offering insight into this gift. She openly shares both the depth of the grief
and the overflowing bounty of this gift that is also available to you.
You will need a hanky or two, but
will also rejoice in the lovely picture she details. It is an easy read, suitable for sharing with
someone who needs to know they are not alone, someone who needs to hear there is hope in Christ - even
when the hopeless shuffle seems to be the only dance they know. If you are willing to take His hand – He will
lead you to that place of peace. #DanceWithJesusBook
Beauty for Ashes, Crystal Lewis
Danny GokeyHope In Front Of Me
Father, how thankful I am for the times You have shown me what I could not find on my own. How thankful I am that You know my pain and hold me when I can not hold myself. How thankful I am that You give us grace to waltz through the pain into hope, never alone, but with You.
If you need a little hope, or if you have hope to share, you are welcome to leave a note here.
Poor Job. He had it
all, wealth, family, health, and then in one giant storm his family and wealth
was gone. Adding to his misery, his
health was taken later. He did have his
wife and friends left, but even they did not give him sound advice or support. The magnitude of his suffering is something
most of us will never experience, yet his response was (paraphrased) – I came into this world naked (with nothing)
and I will leave this world the same way. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
1) Realizing we actually own absolutely nothing is
eye opening.The silver spoon story is
temporary and misleading.Silver can be
lost and is only worthwhile on earth.(Note;
we will only spend a short time on earth.)
2) It all belongs to the Creator.He gives and takes.He has every right to everything because it all
is His.
3) He deserves our praise in every
circumstance.No matter if it is
pleasant or unpleasant.
Some time ago, I had a series of life events that seemed overwhelming. I had an emotional meltdown and proceeded to
have a little talk with God. I informed
Him of all these things piled up in my life, listing them one by one (as if He
didn’t know). Big old tears of pain
flowed as I whined to Him of my intense suffering. In the midst of my pity party I actually had
the nerve to tell Him I felt like Job.
That’s where the party ended. It
was as if He took my head in His hands, and turned my face toward His. The words He spoke to me that moment were
short and simple; “Then act like it”.
Back
in the land of reality, I too blessed the name of the Lord. Why?
1) I remembered the end of Job’s story.The time of suffering was replaced with blessings
direct from the hand of our compassionate and merciful God.He went from being childless to seven sons
and three daughters (the exact number that preceded the devastation).His wealth doubled. He lived another 140
years after all this. God is good and the giver of all good gifts.
2) I also remembered that Job’s story is an
inspiration to all these generations that followed him.We all learn from watching others, especially
someone who has gone through a similar situation.My endurance could minister to the heart of
someone else in the future. God was preparing me for something good.
3) I remembered
that God didn’t leave Job, but was quiet for a while, allowing Job to endure
the situation. God was teaching me endurance.
4) I remembered that even Jesus endured
suffering.Immense suffering.He could have disappeared from the face of
the earth.He could have called angels
to protect Him.Instead, He walked
through it and promised us the same suffering if we follow Him.The world hated Him, and hates us. He understands.
5) Most of all, I remembered that God allows
suffering for our good. He uses it to
build our faith and draw us nearer to Him.We are to give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God
concerning me (and you). He is in control
Did you notice that my pity party turned into a praise party?
So, how did the story of Job end? Did God “fix” the bad that happened to Job? No.
Job had to endure it, and that very endurance – through the suffering –
is what grows our faith. It is
transliterated from the Greek “hupomeno” which is used to express the idea of
patience, endurance and abiding under. When
Job experienced a storm, he had a place to abide (stay), a shelter to get
through the storm. That’s why Job could bless the name of the Lord while the
storm was going on all around him. He
knew his umbrella was trustworthy, all he had to do was abide under it.
Most gracious and merciful
God, we thank You for everything you have placed into our lives. We thank you for both the good and the
adversity because we trust You to work all of it together for our good, to draw
us ever nearer to You. Help us to
remember to abide in You, praise You in everything, and to share our
magnificent umbrella.
Let’s face it, life is full of storms. Keep your umbrella handy. You are going to need it.
“You have heard of the
endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the
Lord is full of compassion and is merciful”. James 5:11
