Category Archives: Hard Grace

How to Begin Again

The sun has yet to rise this morning but the dog is stirring.  I should get up and let her out but I lie here not yet ready to have my feet hit the floor.

Some days are hard to start.  Especially when the starting is admitting once again that the habit I had wanted to begin yesterday will need to begin today.

 I tried yesterday.  I failed yesterday.  Here and now I lie comfortably in my dilemma. 

In the dark not all things are quiet.

The Spirit begins to whisper.  “What you have planned is a good thing but is it the right thing?

Like David who had it in his heart to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant, I hold in my heart good intentions.   

In his heart man plan his course but the LORD establishes his steps.   Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Good intentions are not always God intentions. 

The prophet Nathan had to tell David He was not the one who would build the temple.   I may not have a Nathan but the Word speaks with clarity.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Begin here with Him.  It is where it all began and where it all begins again.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything and everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.  Don’t assume that you know it all.  Proverbs 3:5-7 The Message

This day – this very special day – the dog stirs my body awake and the Spirit, likewise, my heart. 

Feet slowly hit the floor but only to pause before falling to knees. 

This is how to begin again.

 

Joining in:

 

Change Me

 

Change me but don’t make me whole – at least not yet.

Fix what is broken but leave the cracks.  Through fissures You are seen.  Fractures show Your glory and tell of my weakness.  I need my weaknesses to be told because I don’t tell them often enough. 

I try to hide them with distance and a smile. 

When did I believe weak wasn’t worthy?  When did the Truth of …(Your) power is made perfect in weakness…lose to the lie that perfect is worth pretending to be?

Change me Lord, but don’t make me whole – at least not yet.

Mend what is broken but leave the cracks.  Their presence will be Your grace.  Broken will be my testimony. 

 

Joining in with:

 

Five Minute Friday

This is the place we write for 5 minutes – no more – no less – no editing. It might not be perfect but it is real!

Also joining in with:

Beholding Glory

Hard Grace

 

It is the diamond in the rough. 

It is the beauty hidden in the broken and trampled.

It is the precious found in the overlooked and forgotten.

It is the beloved found in the discarded and unwanted.

Hard because it challenges, confronts and demands a response. 

Grace because it always is…grace.  Life is a gift –every single moment – straight from the hand of God.   These gifts when held come with a choice – to live, breathe and do something…or not. 

His gift

My choice

Hard Grace