Beautiful! Just beautiful!

 

Finished shawl, you are beautiful! Oh, the work and time that must have gone into you. Oh, the mistakes made! The corrections. Some overlooked. But still so beautiful even with some flaws. There are some gaps. Holes. Twists. Unevenness. How can it still be so beautiful in our sight? Because we look at the big whole thing. Altogether lovely. And that’s how the Lord views us. Like the knitter, He knows of every mistake but chooses to see the beauty of the whole thing. The whole us.

 May we also choose to not scrutinize every perceived flaw - but instead, like Jesus, look at the whole thing about ourselves and each other. See the beauty of that which has been woven together by the very hands of God. 

For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works. And my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139: 13-14)

Just a touch

 

With just a touch. Water, crushed, cubed, or light. 

Maybe life has touched you and left you feeling crushed or cubed. There is a clunking or grinding to your days. But do you see the other options available? Water and light. Where there is crushed and cubed, there is also water and light. You know these as the very presence of Jesus. The very gifts of God.

So what are you filling up your glass with today? See the options available to you. Know that the gifts of refreshing water and comforting light are readily available to you. So come. Fill your cup. 

… for she had been saying to herself, “ If I only touch His outer robe, I will be healed.” (Matthew 9:21)

To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. (Revelation 21:6)

In Him there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it. (John 1:4,5)

Committed

 

It’s no secret that I like to knit. There are simple patterns that can be followed even while watching a television program. But there are others, like the one pictured above, that require more focus. I need to find a quiet time and place with no distractions so I can read the pattern and remember it, even in bits and pieces as I work it back and forth. But I am so thrilled when I am able to do it, carve out that time, and see the results. Such satisfaction! Knowing I can read it, remember it, and actually do it! I am so thankful for those quiet times when I can let all other things go for a while, and just focus on this one thing.

We all experience this in one way or another. We set aside a certain time slot for a favorite TV show. We have weekly scheduled times for golf or some other enjoyable sport. A “coffee date” with a friend every Tuesday. We make the time, we make it happen, because we enjoy the joy it brings - even when there are moments of challenge or frustration. We see it through. And the outcome - most pleasurable.

Reading the Bible can have similar results. Desiring it and making time for it, even when it’s challenging, can produce a peace that passes understanding. An inside smile that can brighten your whole day. To read God’s Word, remember it, and actually do it - well, I promise you there will be satisfaction and pleasure and enjoyment the world cannot give. We know we can give focus and attention to a variety of things. Whatever we choose. We are able to let go of other options and turn our whole attention to that which we desire. Because we love it even amidst a challenge or two. 

May we transfer that same kind of devotion, love and desire to the Lord and His Word. 

I am excited to see my scarf in the end. It’s going to be glorious! Your committed walk with the Lord is promised to be glorious as well!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law (His precepts and teachings) he (habitually) meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted (and fed) by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; it’s leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers (and comes to maturity).  - Psalm 1: 2-3 AMP

Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word (treasuring it and being guided by it day by day). Open my eyes (to spiritual truth) so that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. - Psalm 119:17-18 AMP