I was moved by my sister's journey today "Country Music Anyone?" and in the journey she is taking. I would like to share the bits I shared with her. Please take the time to visit her site. :) It is one of the places I venture to and she is just beginning in the blogging community. :)
3:34 PM, Friday, October 10, 2008 .. Posted on my sweet sister's blog ...
(Mommy of two little blessings)
I could hear your voice singing with a little wiggle in your walk. ;) I have come to appreciate the newer country music, by the way. :)
I'm proud of you for seeing the lessons in your cookies. :) (by the way butter is always better than margerine or lard. :D ) The beautiful part of the journey with Jesus is that He is the perfect one. Yes, some choose to learn the hard way, some choose to venture into the unknown on their own... then there are those who stay home and do the work they are asked to do striving for the best of what they can offer..and if are not careful can have pride become bigger than the love of sacrifice and service, making them frustrated and blind to things at
times.
The thing is ... we are all saved by grace.." not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he has Saved us.." In the years that I have been journeying.. both in times of stiving for perfection and times of the prodical... I have been moved by the "saved us" part. If we could do everything right the first time and even get close to perfect on this earth then why would we need to be "save"d?
This was pointed out to me a couple of years ago by a wonderful man of Godly character. He sat me down one morning (while serving in Mississippi) and said... come hear I want to show you something. We were both up early in the morning dawn for quiet time and he was finishing his quiet time. He showed me the scriptures you shared ( prodical son, lost sheep) and the proverbs about the boastful ... by this point knowing my failures and shortcomings I began to have a heavy heart as if I was about to be repremanded. Then he turns to Psalms 139 which I have read thousands of times and read it aloud. The fatherly tone in his voice pointed out sections I had not read that way before. Then he said... that it is good to strive to honor the Lord and give him your best but really if you hadn't been created with the limitations do you really think that we would need him? He went on to say..."He knows where you've been, he knows where your going, he knows your inner most parts... and he chose to make you anyway because He delights in you and says you are 'very good'." Wow... (also connected with 2Cor.12:7-10... he will keep us humble )
I am reminded of that moment, everytime I start to beat myself up and let the enemy win more ground than he deserves. There is another scripture that I hold on to as we grow along the path with the sweet Lord... Galatians6:9 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18... reminding me where to keep my focus and not give up. :)
I adore you and love that you are sharing your journey. It is a blessing and a privelage to see the adventure of growth in your own life. :) I treasure you dear sister of mine and love you deeply! Many days and moments of blessing for you and your family! ;) xoxoxo
5 comments:
My dear one,
Your heart is so evident in this posted response to your sister, along with your deep love for her.
You are so right: we can heartily rejoice in our shortcomings because it gives us a reason to be saved...by the Savior.
Thanks for sharing and brightening my day.
Love,
Ju Ju
Dear Nette,
The point is not that the brother who stayed home is blameless, rather that he too has a deep love for Christ and that his love isn't any less because he didn't go off and do his own thing. He has a lot he can teach and share even though he has not left home. Also, his issues are completely different...he is dealing with his disobediance and lack of understanding, which is probably frusterating as he has been right there and yet does not completely understand what is going on and why. So, just because he says home doesn't make him prideful rather shows him different things he is working on than the other brother. I thought that point was made in my blog, but apparently not. I am not saying that the brother who went away is not to be forgiven, rather that the one who stayed home is probably thinking himself less of a testamony for Christ because of the extra special treatment given to the one who reterns. Sometimes it's hard to see our many blessing over the years when you see one getting a lot at one time. I am richly blessed and have been for many years, but I have a lot of spiritual growth to do yet. I suppose that is why I am still here. As the song in the Hermy movie goes, God's not finished with you yet, the you being me. *smile*
I love you sister and pray you had a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,-me- (Mommy of two little blessings)
Oh how I love our banter. :) I don't think what I was saying came across right. I was referring to the story in the bible of the prodical son's older brother. In the scripture it shows him angery and prideful. That was in no way a personal reference. And of course he is used by Christ for his obedience and just as much for the time when the father shows him that his love is unconditional. It was a story told to the people to show God's love for us and to let the law followers know the importance in forgiveness. Jesus is really good about telling more than one story at a time in what looks to be one story. My whole purpose in my comment is to encourage the amazing growth I see in you and the joy I have found in seeing you unveil your self. You are BEAUTIFUL inside and out. That was my whole thing. YOU my dear sweet sister are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made and I love everything about you. It is wonderful to see God's work and know that he has a perfect plan. :)
The Bible is oh so relevant, even now, in this day and age...It is simply glorious that we can find experiences to discuss, to learn from and to help us express our faith!
Praying for you! Sincerely,-me-
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