Unwavering Love

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. – (Psalm 116:5, NIV)

The Lord is good and merciful; our God is so kind. – (Psalm 116:5, ERV)

He was so kind, so gracious to me. Because of His passion toward me, He made everything right and He restored me. – (Psalm 116:5, TPT)

Kids and dogs have a way of reminding me of God’s graciousness and compassion for us. In the same way that we love those in our care, despite how much they might frustrate us sometimes, our love for them does not waiver; I imagine how much more God loves us. If we, in our broken humanity can love and give grace, mercy and compassion to others, how much more does God do those things for us? God’s mercy is unending and His kindness is ever ready to be extended to us. He knows our hearts and what blesses us, and He takes joy in providing that which encourages and helps us know the abundance of His love for us. I am reminded of this each morning as I walk my dogs, watching the pure delight on their faces to get out and explore. Though their craziness and early morning wake-ups prior to the alarm frustrate me at times, their joy in getting outside, and the adoring snuggles they give, end up blessing me and reminding me of how much I love them. God’s kindness, grace and passion for us is even more. May we ever remember the Lord’s goodness and kindness in every blessing, for He restores us and loves us perfectly.

Abundant in grace,

The Lord is so kind;

His love is outpoured,

And goodness combined.

He blesses with peace,

Overwhelms with love;

Heals up hurting hearts,

Our Father above.

Remember His love,

And look for His grace;

In all things, always,

He’s present each place.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your overwhelming goodness and grace that we do not deserve. Thank You that You bless us and have compassion on us, even when we are a mess. Forgive us for forgetting just how good You are. Teach us to trust You and ever seek after You. Show us how to love those around us as You do, with compassion, kindness and mercy. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look to You to lead us in Your amazing love. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

Faithful Answers

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our Savior. – (Psalm 65:5a, NLT)

God, You answer our prayers and do what is right. You do amazing things to save us. – (Psalm 65:5a, ERV)

You leave us breathless when Your awesome works answer us by putting everything right. – (Psalm 65:5a, VOICE)

Yesterday morning began in a hurried panic. My boys and I were supposed to be up and out the door by 3:30am to get to the airport by 4:00am for departure for their school music tour to San Francisco. My alarm sounded first at 2:45, and I have a vague recollection of glancing at the screen and rapidly pressing the dismiss option, knowing that there would be a second alarm ten minutes later. At 2:55, as the second alarm debuted, I think I thought I hit snooze, but actually pressed dismiss again. Perhaps the combination of not returning home from football practice until close to ten and staying up until nearly midnight helping the boys finish packing, had pushed me to the point of exhaustion. After what felt like a few minutes, I woke, looked at the clock in a daze, read 4:30, and realized in a panic that we were already thirty minutes late! I ran through the house to wake the boys and hustle them out the door, scrambling to get luggage loaded as I called out a quick checklist for the boys. We rushed out the door and I had them at the airport drop off curb by 5:00am. I gave them specific instructions of where to go to check-in their bags and line up for the security check-through, informing them that I would wait in the cell phone lot, just in case, until I heard that they were checked in, through security, and on their way. Sadly, about twenty minutes later, I received a series of anxious calls from both them and their music director. The boys had missed the bag check-in deadline by two minutes and their director was not allowed to permit them to take a later flight by themselves, due to liability issues, so I had to go pick them back up. Though sleep-deprived and frazzled, my mind was in solution-mode. My first go-to was to call mom as I drove to see if she could look up later flights and if she knew anyone who might have a “buddy pass”. Within five minutes of returning home, I had a call into the principal of their school, a call back from mom with a later flight that had two seats available that she went ahead and booked, (as the airline only charged a minimal fee for the flight change), and I determined that I would go straight to the district office to sign some sort of release of liability paperwork to get my boys where they needed to be. We were in and out of the district office in fifteen minutes, and on our way to the airport where the boys were able to make their flight and then reconnect with their group, having only missed a tour of Alcatraz. All throughout, there were some serious prayers being audibly offered. My boys may or may not have thought I was a bit loony as I prayed aloud for each step we took. However, they were witness to doors opening rapidly, and ways being made, when we had been told by their music director that it was impossible. God is faithful to meet us, even in the seemingly small things. He moves mightily on our behalf and shows us His power where we have none. May we ever seek the Lord in all things, for He is faithful to answer our prayers with His awesome deeds.

 

Faithful to answer,

The Lord God, He hears;

He opens the way,

As He is so near.

When all seems but lost,

God’s presence remains;

He’ll lead and He’ll guide,

He makes our path plain.

So, trust in the Lord,

In faith, call on Him;

His love makes wrongs right,

When invited in.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to hear us when we call on You. Thank You for the way that You are faithful to answer, in ways that we would not have imagined. Thank You that You care about all things – great and small. Forgive us for trying to navigate difficulties on our own rather than seeking You, our Source and Supply. Teach us to trust You more, as You do amazing things as we call on Your Name. Show us how to love those around us in ways that demonstrate Your faithfulness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for answers and give You praise for Your faithfulness forever. Amen.

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

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6