Tell Them They're Beautiful

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 

Women and men are bombarded with what the world calls beautiful. Magazines display thin women with lots of make-up and swanky clothes. Men on the cover dress in expensive suits, perfectly coifed hair, and whitened teeth. Television shows the rich and famous in designer clothes. And all of this, the world calls beautiful.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon reminds me that God made everything beautiful.  I am saddened when I hear young women compare themselves to the “stars”. What about the young man who thinks he’s ugly because he’s listening to society? As a grandma who’s lived through and raised children through the teens and twenties, I want to remind mom’s and dad’s (and anyone else who might influence a child) to tell their children how beautiful they are because God made them. He created them in his image. Teach them to be lovely people who care about others and bare the fruit of the Spirit.

True beauty comes from within. Joy, love, compassion and excitement for life make a person glow. As Solomon reminded us, there is a time for everything. This is the time that we need to encourage and uplift each other and remind the world what true beauty is.

Amazing Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When we adopted our dog, Olive, we didn’t know what we agreed to. She’s part Dachshund (stubborn and bossy) and part Corgi (playful and bossy). You get the picture. She’s a bossy little dog. Because of her back story— abandoned, pregnant, and possibly mistreated— we give her lots of grace. She gets corrected and sometimes there are consequences, but she gets a long leash, so to speak. Even Tater, our golden retriever/Lab, seems to make allowances for her.

How thankful I am that God gives me grace. I come with a lot of back story, what some call baggage, but God loves me anyway. He gives me his grace. Gives it to me. I don’t work to earn it. Instead he pours grace over me and forgives me. On my part, I seek to obey and follow the path He’s set for me. By his grace I’ve been set free of the burdens of the world so that I might pursue His plans for me. In turn, I want to share His grace with others. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!

Whiter than Snow

Psalm 51:7-10
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

In Southwest Ohio, the snow blanketed the ground this morning. I took our dog, Olive, outside and stepped into at least four inches of fresh, white snow. I admit; I love winter. We’ve had more snow and low temperatures this year than we’ve had in a long time. Secretly, or my husband would say not so secretly, I’ve enjoyed the white stuff. The low temps, not so much. The pure whiteness of the snow and the glitter effect create a winter wonderland, a pure white contrast to the darkness of sin.

In Psalm 51, David cried out to God to forgive him. He’d pursued Bathsheba and placed her husband in the line of fire. When he realized his sin, he knew he needed God more than ever. In his repentance, he asked God to cleanse his heart. Only God can renew a person’s heart. Only he can make me whiter than snow. When I see the snow, I’m reminded that Jesus died for me. He gave his life so my sin could be forgiven. So yes, I love the snow and the reminder God forgives. 

Forgiveness--not always easy

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

My husband, Tim, and I were meeting at McDonalds to get a bite to eat before we attended the Christmas eve-eve service at church. I arrived at the restaurant before him. As I waited, sirens screamed along the road. A sick feeling hit me. Within fifteen minutes my phone chimed. Tim told me he’d been in an accident. He was okay but they were taking him to the hospital to make sure. What I found out after that made me mad.

The man who hit Tim wasn’t paying attention. He simply did not slow down when he should have. I don’t know what distracted him. At that point I didn’t care; I just knew he hurt my husband, who I love. My anger grew for several days. Even though I praised God that Tim was not seriously injured and was still with me, I raged inside. I was able to thank God but I was not making progress in the forgiveness department. I knew I needed to forgive the man, but my anger kept rising. Through Christmas, I tamped it down while I celebrated with family. When the New Year rolled around, I knew in my heart it was time to let go and forgive. Even at that I struggled, until one Sunday during communion I thought about how much God had forgiven me. At that point I let go and prayed. I forgave the man, and God forgave me once again, for holding on to my anger. I praise God every day that Tim walked away from what could have been his last drive, and I thank God for forgiveness.

As Simple as That

Psalm 37:3-4
Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Nothing brings me joy like the promises of God. My friend, Holly, shared this scripture on Facebook this week. As I read the words, it hit me how easy it is to love God. Sure the struggles come and the difficulties of life press on all sides, but loving God brings me peace. Whether he sends me to Africa on a mission trip, Chicago for a conference or my backyard for a cookout, I’m in the place he wants me to be because I’ve been obedient, trusted him and followed his lead.

God wants me to succeed. He hopes that I’ll use the common sense and the loving heart that He gave me to take delight in him. He’s on my side. Why is it so difficult at times to listen to Him? As a person who wants to know what, why, when and how (yesterday) sometimes it’s hard to just follow. But it’s truly as simple as that. Trust God and delight in Him and He will not let me down. As a matter of fact, He’ll give me safe pastures and the desires of my heart. Those desires are not wants or needs. For me they include loving others, helping when I can, encouraging people, hugging and wishing folks well. I love the Lord. Praise Him for loving me back.