Just three short chapters, yet somehow I managed to fill my tissue with tears! Suffice to say, Angie’s words struck deep this week.
The Gift Giver:
I thoroughly enjoyed Angie’s recollection of her daughter’s heart motive, only to change her mind when the moment of decision came. And the bit about God settling in with a bag of popcorn to view the great “movies” we’re living everyday? Priceless!
We have to remember that we aren’t that different from a four-year-old who realized that what her heart wanted in that moment didn’t line up with the plan she had. Page 144
I know God’s promises. I believe God’s promises. And I trust those promises.
Yet there are numerous times I cry out for things to be different. For Him to see things my way.
Like Angie, I am continually grateful, and in awe of, how big our God really is. He hears our cries and covers us in His grace. He doesn’t get angry with us if we desire a different outcome. He knows we can’t see what He sees and He loves us enough to cover us in His grace.
If you’re facing a situation today that has you crying out to God to change your circumstances, I want to reassure you it’s okay to cry out. He’s listening … all the while pouring out His grace onto you.
Underneath all that crying out, it’s so very important we understand He is in control and trustworthy.
He has a plan that we can’t see, and sometimes the best thing we can do is simply ask Him to extend His mercy as we walk in blindness. Page 145
Do you trust Him enough to believe it?
Blink:
I was a photographer in one of my {many} former lives, and even now I love all things photography. Needless to say, I adore this chapter and completely relate.
Friends, the beautiful moral of this story, isn’t about the photographs we take in our minds, it’s a message of trusting God is behind the lens of our life.
And none of these–not ONE–is missed by His yes. We don’t skate out of view and hope He catches up with us down the road. He is everpresent in every single breath. Page 151
Do you trust Him enough to believe it?
Blessed Be the Name:
He gives and takes away.
In this life we will have both. That much is certain.
There will be the IV poles, the divorce papers, the sound of dirt hitting a casket. We will have moment where we can’t catch our breath and all the world seems wrong, and we can’t help but wonder if He even cares.
On the other hand, there are days when the sun warms us just right and while dinner is cooking and the kids are laughing outside, we feel His great pleasure flush against us. Page 156
The song by Matt Redman, Blessed Be Your Name, immediately comes to mind and I’m singing it in my head as I type this.
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed by Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
As Angie says, “Our response to Him should be the same, no matter the circumstance.”
Do you trust Him enough to believe it?
Here’s the reading schedule …
February 21 – Introduction :: Jacque
February 28 – Chapters 1-4 :: Denise
March 7 – Chapters 5-8 :: Tracie
March 14 – Chapters 9-12 :: Denise
March 21 – Chapters 13-16 :: Jacque
March 28 – Chapters 17-19 :: Tracie
April 4 – Chapters 20-22 :: Jacque
April 11 – Chapters 23-25 :: Denise
April 18 – Chapters 26-28 :: Tracie
April 25 – Chapters 29-31 :: Concluding Thoughts
In case you missed the news about the second session of the (in)couragers community starting, you can read all about it by clicking here. This session we’re walking through Angie Smith’s crazy, wonderful book, Mended: pieces of a life made whole and I’m loving it!
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