Sometimes life seems to be such a stream of constant activity. It's so refreshing to just slow down and enjoy being a family. It doesn't take much for us. It doesn't require expensive vacations. In fact, sometimes, we don't even want to leave the house. We just want to be...together. I have had so many moments lately of pure awe when I consider the beauty of being a family. Moments of stunned silence and praise and thanks to God for such blessings. Blessings I simply do not deserve.
Yet, God gives them anyway. Because he is good and because he loves with the deepest love imaginable. I would have absolutely nothing if it were not for his great love and mercy.
As I looked over my list of prayer requests from the women who are in jail for their crimes (our church has a jail ministry), my heart felt so sorrowful for them. Many of them asked for prayer for their children who are now living without their mothers. I'm sure that many of these women never thought they would end up in jail and be separated from their families. What heartache and pain they must experience. What regret. It's such a precious truth to think that none of us has to clean up our act before we come to God. We come to him and he cleans us up! A relationship of love, truth and purity with God can be theirs. The free gift of eternal life can be received! Not worked for. We would either give up trying or be proud and boastful if that were the case.
These ladies have particularly been on my heart lately. I've thought a lot about God's grace in my life. None of us deserves to know God or experience blessings from him. Myself especially. If God had not mercifully intervened in my life...I might be where they are. I am not above such things. I only pray that as God works in their hearts that they would come to him, seeking forgiveness through Christ. Desiring, first and foremost, his pardon...freely given to all who believe.
This family life God has given me is certainly filled with it's challenges. It's not perfect, because we are not perfect. It's not always happy and fun, there are times of pain and hurt feelings. But even with all of these things...it truly is beautiful.
Only because of his amazing grace.
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