Abounding Grace: November 2009

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Celebration

Lately I have been thinking that something is missing in my life. I'm pretty happy and thankful most of the time. I know that the Lord has been faithful in every area of my life, even when I don't understand certain struggles or trials that I am going through. I know that He is always faithful. So I'm usually pretty smiley and thankful but for some reason or another it seems that I have been lacking joy. There are numerous instances in the Bible that speak about this 'joy'. It is actually a command from the Lord for us to be joyful and sing praise due to His Name. How do I obtain this joy? What has been keeping me from having this joy?

The other evening I was talking with a few friends (as we gathered to celebrate for no reason at all) and one was discussing how she dresses joyful. I thought to myself 'what an interesting idea.' She was telling us that colors can have a big effect and can actually make you joyful. She then told us how she had started wearing joyful colors. Immediately I envisioned myself wearing a bright red scarf.

As I woke up this morning, I was still thinking about this 'joy' thing. I looked in my closet for a red scarf but found none. Then I thought "Well better yet, I'll paint one!"

JOY

My Prince Charming

I have met someone who longs to dance with me with a joy overflowing into song, someone who delights in me whole-heartedly, the Lover of my soul, my Prince charming who rescued me, one who is enamored by me and who would rather die than live without me, my knight and shining armor who would do anything to win me back, one who is enthralled with my beauty and spent years wooing and pursuing me. I have met the Love of my life whom will never leave me or forsake me. He has rescued me and wants to marry me. I know a Prince that longs for you as He longs for me. Would you like me to introduce you to Him?

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.