Lead Me To The Rock

When hard and ugly things happen, things I can't explain or understand, and it's hard to feel anything but the waves of hurt and pain, I know Who holds me.  When so much seems unstable and unpredictable, especially me, I know Who is the One who steadies me. When it's hard to pray or even think clearly, and nothing comes easily except the tears, I know Who comforts me.

I know all these things, yet I need to be reminded.  I need to hear it again and again.

Psalm 61 is an incredible reminder of His promises.  "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer....when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a strong shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy....So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever..."

Jesus, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.  Lead me to You.  

May you too, be led to the Rock this Christmas season.

Risk: To Take, or Not To Take

It's kind of a bummer having a post like this right after the one from yesterday, but life is real and I mess up. Therefore, this blog is real along with the mistakes. 

Standing in the check out line at the Dollar General today, I noticed a sweet elderly lady standing behind us. Her pretty face was full of beautiful wrinkles and as my eyes met hers, her face lit up with a beautiful, almost toothless smile. 

There was something about that smile. It was as if we had been friends for a long time or like she was genuinely glad to see me. It wasn't a smile from the surface, it felt like a smile from her heart. 

She looked like a survivor of much pain, yet she radiated joy. Maybe her smile was genuine because of the pain. I don't know her situation, nor her heart, but still, there was something so captivating about her smile. 

I thought maybe I should talk with her. Maybe she didn't know about Jesus, and besides it seemed like she would make a sweet friend. But I just couldn't get up my courage. I watched as she paid for her items and briefly sat down beside the door. As we walked outside into the cold, I wished her a merry Christmas. 

But that's it. I didn't say anything else. 

As we went on our way, I saw her walk across the street in the cold. 

Now all I can do for her is pray. I wish now I would have made the effort to be a friend to her. Maybe I could have even taken her to church sometime or brought her out to my house. We could have laughed with each other and every time she smiled I could have seen her sweet joy within. 

I make mistakes and sometimes I'm afraid to pick up that sword called love. I don't know what will happen if I do. It takes risk, and I don't always want to take it. 

I pray for courage and I pray for boldness. God will give me another chance because his grace abounds. Don't do what I did; take the risk. 

To Swing a Sword

In his book Love Does, Bob Goff says, "...the Bible said the only weapon any of us really has is love. But it's love like a sword without a handle and because of that, sometimes we'll get cut when we pick it up...." 

I want to pick it up and start swinging, but I know it takes sacrifice. It hurts sometimes and it doesn't all feel good. 

I don't just want to set it beside me only because it won't hurt me that way. I want to go all out, nothing missing. Jesus went all out and beyond. He gave everything. His love was all out, but so was the pain and the suffering. 

Let's all pick up His love and do something. Let's start somewhere. Let's start swinging.