The Power in Partnerships

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. – (Ecclesiastes 4:9, HCSB)

Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done. – (Ecclesiastes 4:9, ERV)

It is better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. – (Ecclesiastes 4:9, MSG)

I love how practical these words are to all. I know this to be true, and can attest to the rewards of working together in a partnership. At work, being on a grade level team for the subject I teach makes a world of difference. Together, we can make meaning of the curriculum and plan together the small steps to reach the end goal. In doing so, the load is shared and the burden is lessened. In marriage, we each bring different strengths to the partnership, and together, we can accomplish far more than we could alone. One simple example is when we need to do yard work. For one person to complete the job, it would take several hours. However, when my Viking and I share the work, we often can complete the task within an hour. Additionally, as we both work and contribute to expenses and savings, we are afforded the blessing of being able to take vacation. God is good, and when we seek Him to lead us to spaces where we can work together and share the load, we discover strength is multiplied and there are great blessings that come from partnering with people to accomplish necessary tasks. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to connect with those whom we are given to work beside, and may the pairing and sharing be a blessing to all.

Together we rise,

Accomplish great things;

Working together,

More strengths we can bring.

For work divided,

Is better a task;

When shared together,

We give and get back.

Lord, lead us to work,

Alongside others;

To share with the load,

As overcomers.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created us to be in community. Thank You that as we pair up with those around us to accomplish tasks, the work is divided and the reward is blessings. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to do things alone that You intended to be shared. Show us who and where we can walk alongside to work together and get things done. Lead us to love like You, so that we support, encourage, and challenge each other to do what You have for us to do and become who You have created us to be. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we work together with those whom You have placed in our lives to do what we are called to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged, for your work has a reward. – 2 Chronicles 15:7

Sowing Seeds of Peace

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. – (James 3:18, NIV)

Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts. – (James 3:18, CEB)

You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoys its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. – (James 3:18, MSG)

 

Typically, the role of a peacemaker has served me well in the classroom. When kids are escalated, remaining calm most often leads to peace restored. However, despite the difficult work that has already been invested, there is clearly much more to be done, as there are a few students throughout my day that continue to struggle to get along with others and treat others with dignity. In the wait, I will continue to promote peace with each group of young people that enters my classroom, by modeling the very things that I ask of each of them. May we depend on the Lord to sow in peace, so that we may reap a harvest of righteousness.

 

May we ever choose,

To sow seeds of peace;

Kindness and honor,

To others increase.

The more we feel known,

The more we’re at ease;

Able to settle,

Calm down and sow peace.

Keep on investing,

Choose love others well;

With honor and grace,

May peace in us dwell.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we sow seeds of peace, we reap a harvest of righteousness. Thank You that what we invest in extending peace does not go out void, but You use every intentional word and deed to plant seeds of peace. Forgive us for our frustration in the wait, as at times it appears our efforts are for naught. Teach us to trust You more, as You are the One who brings lasting peace and righteousness to those who seek and follow after You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that promotes peace for all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sow seeds of peace and rely on You to return a harvest of righteousness. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11)

Seek to be Shown

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. – (Proverbs 3:6, NLT)

With every step you take, think about what He wants, and He will help you go the right way. – (Proverbs 3:6, ERV)

In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success. – (Proverbs 3:6, TLB)

 

The road of life is a journey that takes many twists and turns. Often, we follow the road in the way that feels right, only to discover that He is leading us in a different direction. Though seemingly trivial, my fiancé and I are finding this principle to be true as our house hunt continues. The home we loved and seriously thought could be ours, had fees that were not at first disclosed, and will likely be part of a bidding war that will go far beyond our reach. At first, we were discouraged because it seemed to be such a perfect fit for our merging families and what we need, yet as we talked and prayed and chose to trust, we have discovered that there are more out there that will meet the hopes that we hold, for far less money than the first home. In fact, we found a house yesterday that is literally a few blocks from the home that my boys and I live in currently. It has the space that we need, rooms, restrooms, parking, and even a potential place to build a shop for my fabulous Viking. Even more, my favorite scent of spring is in bloom to the left of the front door, and the entire neighborhood seems to be teeming with English Laurel plants to welcome and invite me in. I know not whether this home is “the one” or not, but we will continue to trust that He will show us which path to take and meet our efforts with success. May we ever seek the Lord in all that we do, as He will be faithful to direct our steps.

 

Choose to seek the Lord,

In all that you do;

For He is faithful,

To direct us through.

He’ll show us the path,

We are meant to take;

And grant us the strength,

To walk in His way.

Sometimes where He leads,

Seems disappointing;

But hold on in trust,

And watch what He’ll bring.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You in all things, You are faithful to meet us and show us the right way to go. Thank You that though we may feel disappointment when things don’t go the way that we had hoped they might, You have something better than we could have imagined in store for us. Forgive us for our frustration and lack of faith when we cannot see how You are moving on our behalf. Teach us to trust You even when we cannot see what You are doing, as You are always faithful. Show us how to love others well as we follow wherever You lead us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your will in all that we do and give You praise for showing us the right way to go. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

The Only Thing That Counts

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. – (Galatians 5:6b, NIV)

 

We are called to do two things: Love God, and love people. If we, by faith, choose to pursue a life of doing both, we seek to honor and serve the Lord as an expression of our love to Him. Additionally, the more in tune with God we become, the more naturally we pour out to others, from the overflow of our hearts. As we understand the love and sacrifice that has been given unto us, how much more do we desire to love well, all those who are around us? May we choose to actively pursue a life of faith expressed in love, both toward God, who is love, and to all those who surround us.

 

All of our efforts,

To try to be good;

Are wasted, in vain,

Lest love’s understood.

For God does not want,

A list of what’s done;

He wants us to love,

Just as did His Son.

Our faith in the Lord,

Will help us express;

The love that’s in us,

The way that is best.

At the end of days,

What shall count above;

Is our faith in God,

And how we chose love.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that what counts to You is our faith expressing itself through love. Thank You that You do not leave us to muster up enough faith to love well, but rather as we pursue You, You meet us and equip us with faith that expresses itself naturally through loving You and others well. Forgive us for not choosing to love when it is difficult. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would love the seemingly unlovable, as they often are those who need Your love made tangible the most. Grant us wisdom to know when to persist and when to walk away. Lead us to be Your heart and voice of love to those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue You with all that we are, and in faith, love You and love people as we have been called. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5

Live Life Awake

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – (Ephesians 5:14-16)

 

“Every day, there are situations in our normal routines that require us to be the light of Christ in darkness. Waking up spiritually is not just about participating in life-changing efforts of worldwide importance, such as stopping genocide. It is walking through our lives wide awake. It is rising ready where we are, with what we have. It is seeing people where they are and meeting their need.” – (Christine Caine, Undaunted)

 

How often is someone standing beside us in the grocery checkout, discouraged and simply in need of a listening ear? Perhaps a neighbor down the street has suffered a loss and needs help finding the strength to prepare a meal? If we live our lives awake and aware of our surroundings, and choose to be ever listening to the still small voice of the Lord, we may find opportunities to extend His hands and heart to a hurting world in ways we would have never imagined possible. Our charge is not to do everything; it is to do something. When we are willing and available to utilize what we’ve been given, lives are touched and hearts are transformed. Nothing we do is in vain, and God works wonders through our faithful acts of obedience. May we rise up from our slumber and allow Christ to shine through us, as we go forth as His hands and heart to the world.

 

Wake up O sleeper,

the day has now come;

the Lord is calling,

there’s work to be done.

People in darkness,

stuck in their despair;

if we don’t reach out,

then who will go there?

A neighbor, a friend,

someone down the street;

we must be willing,

to love those we meet.

For as we reach out,

the Lord works through us;

touches hurting hearts,

our mighty Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love so much that You sent Your only Son, so that we could have life in You. Jesus, thank You that You make new life possible because of the sacrifice that You made on our behalf. Thank You that You showed us how to live and love, and that You speak to us still, granting us wisdom as to how we are to make the most of every opportunity to reach out and love as You loved us. Forgive us for our fearfulness that keeps us stagnant in our own four walls, and teach us to trust You more, so that we may live our lives wide awake, open to every opportunity that You would invite us to reach out. Lead us to love like You love, and may many be led unto You. Be glorified as we live our lives fully awake in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11