I can so I will

© 2014 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

Here I am, Lord. Praiseworthy Lord. One God, now and forever Lord. Generations have beheld Your glory; seen Your signs and wonders and powers – directly and through Your people. You are amazing and awesome in every way. Great is the Lord Who controls all of nature. Loving and compassionate to all He has made. His understanding, His knowledge has no end. He is above all things. Sovereign. Dominion. Awesome. Majesty. Honor. Glory. His love is boundless. His love without limit. So do not fear. Do not worry. The Lord, the Lord is near. He cares. He lifts up. He empowers. Seek His face always. Lord, I will seek Your face; behold Your beauty; dwell here with You – and I will be grateful. Grateful for Your involved presence wherever I go, wherever I find myself – I will turn my heart to You and abide. I will rest in You. I will believe Your hand on my life. I will be at peace because I believe. You are everywhere and fully present in every moment. Yes, I will rest in You. I will be at peace and comfort in Your presence. I will worship and praise for You are good. I will meditate on all You have to offer. Praise and honor and glory to You for meeting all my needs. And thank You for forgiveness of all sin. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for life here and now with You. For every dear person on this journey with me. But mostly for You. Your bending down. Your lifting up. Your endless love, kindness, and care. While everything else in life shifts and changes, You remain Lord. You remain totally, completely, steadfast, true and sure in all Your ways. Thanks and praise, my Anchor. Rock. Security. Hope. Joy. Thanks and praise. Because I can. So I will.

The Quilter's Heart

 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

This is a quilt my mom made for me as a house-warming present (well, she made it with her quilter’s group at her church). Although many of the fabrics are quite pretty, there are also plenty of darker ones. The overall effect is of muted tones. Quite ordinary.

Sometimes my life seems just like that. Several “squares” of darkness and blah-ness as well as some beautiful spots here and there. Altogether maybe not the spectacular, amazing, colorful life I imagined when I was younger. But each square of fabric was carefully selected and lovingly sewn together in a very specific order. The darker ones enhancing the impact of the brighter ones. I wonder if that’s how thoughtful God was in piecing my life together. Do God and quilters share this kind of … loving, thoughtful heart?

I’m not sure why mom didn’t select all happy colors … and there are times when I ask the same of God’s choices. But as I reflect on all the thought and time and love put in to it, I can’t help but appreciate and love the end result – the Quilt and the Quilter.

The real blessing for me was the material she used for the back. Pure gold! Brilliant in color! When I saw it, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus holding all the pieces of my life together.

Not every day in life is rainbow beautiful. We all experience days that contrast (...enhance) the others. But remember, please remember, that Jesus is here, holding you together – the good and the bad. His pure gold – is with you always! And you are with Him!

A Mandy kind of love

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening … (Luke 10:39)

Every morning I get my coffee and bible and journal and sit down in my favorite chair. I get all situated and not two seconds pass before our cat, Mandy, is right there at my feet waiting to jump into my lap. Up she jumps and she gets all situated too. Lays down happy as a clam. She doesn’t ask for anything – not a scratch or more food – nothing. She just settles in. Content to be near me.

Oh, that I would approach my Lord in the same manner. Ready to jump into His lap at a moment’s notice. Knowing full well that food and water will be provided as needed – and the scratch to my itch as well! Happy as a clam to just be near Him. Just a restful repose. A sigh. A purr. A peace.