Always Love

It (love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – (1 Corinthians 13:7, NIV)

Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. – (1 Corinthians 13:7, ERV)

Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. – (1 Corinthians 13:7, TPT)

 

God is love. This perfect sort of love comes from Him alone. We are flawed and frail and fallen; He is good, gracious and merciful. When we seek the Lord first, He deposits these things within us, and grants us the capacity to protect, trust, hope, and persevere in love. In our broken humanity, we will never be flawless in our delivery. However, God is. When we choose to love God and love people as we are called and designed to do, we become better equipped to protect, trust, hope and persevere, as His love leads us in every area of our life that we grant Him access. The more we give God room, the more we become aware of the hope, security, and overcoming, lasting love that is found in Christ. May we ever seek the Lord with our whole heart, so that we too, may love in a way that creates a safe place of shelter, that never stops believing the best for others, never takes failure as defeat, and never gives up.

 

Our space of shelter,

When weary and worn;

He grants strength to move,

In Christ, hope’s reborn.

The One we can trust,

Protection in love;

He never gives up,

Our Help from above.

Even through the times,

When we can’t shake fear;

His presence surrounds,

To rise, persevere.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we begin to understand the power of love. Thank You that Your love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Thank You that the more we walk with You, the better we are able to love as You love us. Forgive us for the times that we have been lacking in our love. Continue to teach us how to love like You. Show us practical and tangible ways to love those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we always trust and hope in You, as You protect us and provide for us, all that we need through Your overwhelming and unending love. Amen.

 

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

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

Thankful for Faith

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – (Romans 5:1, NIV)

We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – (Romans 5:1, ERV)

Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and He now declares us flawless in His eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. – (Romans 5:1, TPT)

 

This morning, as I enjoy the “extra time”, courtesy of daylight savings time versus my internal clock, prior to preparing for church, I am extraordinarily grateful for the power and presence that come through faith. When we choose to place our faith in God, we are justified and seen as right before Him. His perspective provides us lasting peace in and through God, which makes all the difference in how we navigate our days. In the same way that our children know that they are loved and valued, no matter what they do or have done, we too are viewed likewise through the eyes of Christ. If we as humans have the capacity to love and forgive and see our children or loved ones in a positive light, how much more does our Creator view us, His created, through His own eyes, when we have faith in Him? May we give our gratitude to God for the power provided through faith in Him.

Faith is mentioned 458 times (according to my Bible Gateway App search), and another verse that stands out, particularly in regards to Mom, is: If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22, NIV) This verse follows the passage where Jesus had made a fig tree wither with merely a word, and the disciples had been amazed. He went on to tell them that they had the very same power within them, if they would have faith and not doubt. Jesus then continued on to the following verse (Mt 21:22) about having faith for what you ask for in prayer. This is what we need to put into practice daily with Mom, as we have faith that she will be fully restored and able to return to life as she knew it before the stroke. There are days that it is easier to believe than others, as recovery is slow, by human standards. However, I know that we have faith that is the size of at least a mustard seed, and with that, God can grow it to something far greater than we can hope or even imagine. For today, let us lay hold of the faith that we have, and place it in His hands to grow it greater still; as His plans are far greater than our own.

 

Faith gives rise to grace,

From the Lord above;

Who forgives and saves,

And views us in love.

When we trust in faith,

God takes what we bring;

He blesses our trust,

Lord of everything.

He grants us His peace,

For in Him we know;

That each step of faith,

Is how our faith grows.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith. Thank You that when we have faith in You, You transform our hearts and lives. Thank You that when we offer the faith that we have, You grow it far greater. Forgive us for the times that our faith falters, as we forget that faith is not by sight. Teach us to trust in You, not in what we see in the moment. Show us how to love those around us in a way that encourages faith and promotes peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our faith in You alone. Amen.

 

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

 

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. – Psalm 33:5

Trust for Return

As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, NIV)

God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, ERV)

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it. – (Psalm 18:30, MSG)

 

Our plans are not always the plans that God has in mind for us. On this quick trip home, much of what I thought and had planned, went differently than anticipated. At first, I was disappointed, but then realized that the change in plans at least afforded me a bit more time with my boys, and perhaps that was the purpose. God knows. His ways are always good. Two nights and only one day at home with my husband, children and a quick visit with dear friends, once again, leaves me grieving a bit, as I anticipate going back to Wenatchee. It is not a grief that is opposed to time with mom, for I am grateful to be present to help; rather, it is a strong and indescribable sense of loss of time with my husband and boys, as I desperately miss them after all of these many weeks away. For my boys, prior to this, I had never been away from them for more than a week. Now, in the last six weeks, I have seen them a total of six days. With my husband, the staggering statistics are similar. God is good and He is protecting our family and our relationships, but oh how my heart longs for home…  Today, as I go, I choose to trust Him and His plan. He knows what I need and the desires of my heart. I trust Him to protect me and make a way where there seems to be no way. Always, He is good.

As for mom, she had an amazing adventure yesterday with my sister. After having been willing to get out of the house for a few coffee-runs and driving outings with me last week, she decided she was ready to spread her wings. Mom actually determined that she was willing to go inside an establishment and have lunch with my sister! Megan happily obliged, and mom did very well and enjoyed her time out and about, as much as Meg was delighted to see her willingness to do so. This was huge, as it was the very first time that mom has been willing to go in anywhere other than a required doctor’s office.  This is particularly encouraging for me, as my family will be coming to celebrate my birthday next weekend, and the hope of actually getting out of the house and going somewhere, all together, is a wish come true. May we all continue to choose trust in the One whose way is perfect, as He is our refuge and the One who holds our heart.

 

Despite all our plans,

God’s way shall prevail;

For His ways are best,

As love never fails.

Though our way seems right,

Sometimes there is more;

We have to let go,

Push out past the shore.

For beyond the waves,

And into the sea;

Wherever He leads,

Grace will also be.

The sights that we see,

And lessons we learn;

Require steps out,

And trust for return.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are loving and kind trustworthy. Thank You that You are our refuge and strength. Thank You that Your ways are perfect, even when we don’t understand Your plan. Forgive us for fearing the road that seems uncertain, or for grieving the turns that we did not get to take. Teach us to trust You more, as all is in Your hands. Continue to show us Your love and grace in the season of uncertain space. Lead us to love those around us well, so that we strengthen and encourage and create safe spaces, just as You do for us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and Your ways. Amen.

 

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

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

True to His Word

As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, NIV)

God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in Him. – (Psalm 18:30, ERV)

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it. – (Psalm 18:30, MSG)

 

God’s way is perfect because the ultimate destination is assured. What He promises, He does, and He is our refuge to whom we can run. This does not mean that a life of obedience will be without challenges and obstacles, however, it is guaranteed that the Lord will be present and will not leave us, no matter what twists and turns our path may take. He is faithful to His word, and His promises have been proven true, again and again. May we ever trust in the Lord, who is perfect in all His ways, to do what He’s promised and be our refuge to whom we choose run.

 

The path of the Lord, 

Perfect in His ways;

Our safety to seek,

For all of our days.

Each promise He makes,

He’s true to His word;

Faithful forever,

Such grace seems absurd.

Yet He is our God,

To whom we can run;

True to His promise,

’til our days are done.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your way is perfect and Your promises are forever true. Thank You that You are our safe space to whom we can run. Forgive us for veering from the path that You have placed before us, or for doubting Your promises for us, personally. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and know You, recognizing that You are faithful forever and what You say, You will do. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends grace, encouragement and safety as we seek to follow the way You direct our steps. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust Your ways and Your word, and find our space of refuge in You. Amen.

 

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

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You. – Psalm 84:12