Despite the mess

Our daughter was nursing our grandson.

When she suddenly realized there was a problem.

Without being too graphic, anyone who knows babies understands: sometimes it gets messy.

I grabbed two old towels and wrapped him in one.

As she handed him over he spit up.

More mess.

I left her to cleaning herself and carried the baby to the other bathroom.

I put another towel on the floor and began to remove soiled clothes.

I changed his diaper.

In a fresh diaper and clean from all mess, he was laying on his back looking up at me.

He smiled.

Of course I smiled back.

We had several minutes of smiles and babytalk before his mom and dad came in with fresh clothes.

Much later I was blessed to sit in the rocking chair and rock him to sleep wrapped carefully in a blanket.

This morning I was reflecting upon our day yesterday.

And the Lord brought to mind this moment I shared with our grandson.

As a baby he’s completely unaware of the fact that he stopped all other activities with his mess.

He wasn’t embarrassed by his mess.

He was completely oblivious.

He’s not old enough to understand how his life suddenly stepped in and made our lives change.

What he was aware of was the love.

His little face when I was talking with him up held joy and security.

He obviously also felt better, but his smile said so much more.

His little smile said, “I’m happy to see you”.

Later, as he drifted off to sleep, his little face held peace and comfort.

And I see a beautiful picture of God’s love.

He loves me so much, that He cleaned me up from the stains of sin and death.

And it’s a continually thing, because I am a sinner and I need His cleansing daily.

As our grandson grows, he will become aware of his messes, like our granddaughter already has.

And when she’s made a mess she runs for the loving arms of her parents.

I too get to run to my Savior.

His arms are open.

His Word is ready to clean me, to shine truth into my mess and teach me how to put off those things which lead me to sin.

His voice is speaking to me, honing my heart, changing my perspective of the circumstance, and giving me guidance to live by.

And I can smile at Him, because I know He loves me.

Despite the mess I might have made, He loves me.

Because my favorite place to be is clean and warm, wrapped safely in His grace, resting in His peace.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for shining Your truth into my heart and mind. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach me and hone my heart that I might not sin against You. Let nothing stand between us, but remove whatever would hinder our relationship, because You alone are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. I never want to miss a moment with You, nor to have my walk with You hindered. Thank You for our family and the lessons I’m learning. Thank You for Your faithfulness and unending love. Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy. I praise Your holy name! Amen.

During my absence

Forgive my absence in writing of late.

Thursday I came down with a fever.

I ran a fever for four days, although Friday was decidedly the worst and highest.

It was a difficult time, especially on my family.

God healed me.

His faithfulness is incredible.

I will be recovering from this for a while but I am so thankful to God.

He was with me the entire time.

When rest was unattainable, I was blessed to pray for all the people He brought to mind.

When my head swam and thoughts refused to make sense, a song of praise was my steady place.

Even when the simple joys of life seem difficult to recognize, I could find joy and comfort in repeating the scriptures.

Jesus is my Shepherd.

He has restored my soul.

Nothing is unbearable if Jesus shares it with you.

Praise God!

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. Psalm 119: 50 NKJV

Breakfast?

“But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food? ‘ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” Luke 21:5-6

This passage continues. The disciples come ashore and eat breakfast with Jesus.

After breakfast Jesus speaks to Peter and restores him. For Peter had denied knowing Jesus.

It is interesting that this restoration happened after breakfast.

The word breakfast is simple: break and fast. After hours of sleep we wake and break the fast of not eating.

After days of shame and not being with Jesus, Peter was given his calling and restored relationship.

How does this apply?

There’s often places that are broken and need restoration.

It’s tempting to ignore the broken with busy.

To “smooth over” the hurt with excuse.

True relationship doesn’t grow when dishonesty is holding a broken place.

Often the easiest method of dealing with hurt (hurt feelings, harsh words, biting criticism, disappointment, selfishness, loss…)
isn’t the way that leads to healing.

Patterns of unhealthy behavior can come from many different sources.

However it is clear from God’s Word that we are not to continue to allow such things.

Instead we need to take the opportunity to break the unhealthy pattern and allow Christ to restore.

The first step is to admit there is an unhealthy behavior.

Second is to take it to Jesus and repent.

Thirdly, there needs to be a plan to promote good habits to replace the old one.

Fourth, hold fast, it is worth the effort to make the change but old habits die hard and it takes work to replace them.

What an encouragement that we are not alone.

Just as Peter needed a personal touch from the Lord so do we, and we don’t have to wait for breakfast, He’s ready any time of the day.