FMF "Reflect" on living on less

We were without a dryer for a little over a week and I thought I might panic. Wet clothes will freeze if hung outside during winter. We own more than a weeks worth of covering and I feel a bit of shame.  Our one income is a pot of gold in some countries, but going from one to two makes my insides still wrench.
   When Jesus calls you to live on less it doesn't feel like a blessing, but it is.  Two years of up-cycling and recycling and thrift stores bring joy. Peace has risen up since I gave away that American dream: the thought that I am entitled to it, where new once reigned and debt was attached to the hip. No debt is freedom.
   Somehow, in the less, I know I am reflecting Christ. Humbled by his sustaining and His penetrating/permeating the very core of me. I deeply pester him to continue the change. He was born in a dank, dirty manger, but never once did it stunt His purpose, His gift or His sacrifice. 

My miniscule amount of relinquishing doesn't begin to compare to His...what he has asked of me these past few years: stay home, home school, coordinate MOPS, lead, share a hidden singing voice, teach babes on Sunday-

holds my heart up high in worship as I know I am

where He wants me.

LINKING UP today at Lisa-Jo's

Five-Minutes on She

On Fridays a bunch of brave writers gather at Lisa-Jo's blog to all spend 5 collective minutes writing on a single prompt.    Go here to join .







             The prompt? She.

Go!

She came from the same family as me, but she is different. Her story is different. Her choices and the words of hurt she heard.

I heard some of those stinging words said to her and I wish I could make dad take them back.

SHE still thinks those words are true of her, but they are not. God's words say something else. I say something else to encourage and speak love into her life. I hear it helping. She is in a terribly hard place where the man she married hurls hurtful words like dad at her and money is tight. She feels like there is no escape, yet she believes and clings to God's hope and redemption for her. 

It really is the best and worst place to be in life.

To be completely dependent on God because circumstances are impossible is where God wants her, but she is tired. I feel her exhaustion and sadness. And my merciful heart cries, "Abba, please."

I haven't seen her for over 5 years, but we talk and we write and we dream about a "safe" place to see each other again. And she ends our recent phone call sick, but with some laughter. 

SHE is being prayed for and whether she understands it fully, 

SHE is heard.

...The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.

Psalm 6: 6-9, Psalm 40:1 NIV

When someone needs to stand in the gap on behalf of and you are willing.

There's someone I know who is in deep trouble. 

Someone who needs help, but isn't asking. Like a large hole in an airplane where the pressure is pulling everything and everyone with it...is the kind of trouble where someone needs to stand in the gap on behalf of and I am willing.

As a matter of fact, I am more than willing. I strongly desire to see this person changed so much so that it has cost me emotional pain, but I won't give up. It is worth it because trusting and living in relationship with God is worth it...to see God move...to see this someone's anger and pride lessened with joy and humility instead ignites determination down to my core.

As Moses interceded for the Israelites when they sinned greatly against the Lord (Exodus 32:30-32 NIV), I intercede daily for this person. Mostly, I pray for a changed heart. I am not Jesus, the one who atoned our sins...I cannot save this person from their trouble. 

I can only beg God to give this individual an undivided heart and put a spirit in him; remove the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh-Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

   image borrowed from http://www.jacksmithprophecy.org

31 Days to Grace (Day 6): Grace for a day

As Christians, we all experience God's grace daily even if we don't see it. What if we went beyond receiving grace and challenged ourselves to giving grace at least once a day? 

Would you do it? Maybe you are thinking that I don't realize that you do give grace daily. "I overlooked a flaw, I showed mercy, etc."

But, think back to yesterday? Did you really give grace? I don't mean looking the other way at someone's wrongdoing, never politely stating how you felt or being a doormat. I mean, you unconditionally, without anything to gain, just gave some grace?

I did it without someone realizing it. I gave them something that some would say they didn't deserve. It felt right, bold, different, but satisfying.  A bit of forgiveness and mercy go a long way. That's what I gave. Grace baby. And I got no thing in return.

I wonder how many times a day someone gives me grace? Maybe, if I am honest, I don't really want to know. 

When we choose mercy over revenge, compassion over judgment, charity over greed, serving over selfishness, forgiveness over a grudge, or kindness over cruelty we are shining the very grace that Christ has given us. 

We show the world what it looks like to live in God's grace.

Your turn. Share a time you showed grace.