Blessed

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. – (Proverbs 31:28, NIV)

Her children bless her; her husband praises her. – (Proverbs 31:28, CEB)

Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise. – (Proverbs 31:28, MSG)

 

Though I cannot even begin to measure up to the Proverbs 31 woman, I am beyond blessed by both my children and my husband. God has granted me the greatest gift I’ve ever known through the lives of my boys, and a love I never knew was possible through the loving union of marriage to my husband, partner and friend. I am blessed and praised by these guys, even when I am least deserving, and each one of them is fiercely protective and willing to help whenever I ask. Perhaps it is a recognition of the blessings that He has bestowed upon us, far more than a living up to a certain standard or expectation. Because I am loved well, I desperately desire and am driven to do the same. I imagine that is God’s intention for all of us. As we realize the depth and breadth of His love for us, we are inspired to go and love likewise. May we seek our Savior who loves us more than we can comprehend, so that we too, can go and love those around us without reservation.

 

Such wonder indeed,

Photos by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography<3

Is love we receive;

The blessings bestowed,

When we are in need.

The gift of children,

The love of a spouse;

Love made tangible,

Within my own house.

Let’s freely receive,

God’s love and His grace;

So we too can love,

In His tender ways.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible gift of the loved ones whom You bring into our lives – be it children, spouses, family or friends. Thank You that You make Your pleasure known through the words of others in a way that inspires us to ever pursue You and Your ways. Forgive us for taking Your love or that of those whom You have blessed us with for granted. Teach us to appreciate and value the goodness and grace that You generously give in tangible ways. Show us how to lavishly love those whom You place in our path, so that they too, may come to know the greatness of Your love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the love and the grace, and the tender embrace, that You wrap around us through the people whom You have given. Amen.

 

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

 

Surely You have granted him/(her) unending blessings and made him/(her) glad with the joy of Your presence. – Psalm 21:6

He Has Shown Us

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you; But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? – (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

 

If we live as the Lord has commanded, and love God and love people well, we will naturally act justly, love mercy, and desire with everything in us, to walk humbly with our God. Jesus came and ultimately showed us what good really is meant to be. He is our example of justice, mercy and humility, always motivated by love. Jesus loved those whom society deemed unlovable, extended mercy to the least deserving, and was just in all of His ways. May we look to the Lord to lead us and guide us to love as He calls us to love. Let justice, mercy and humility be evident in how we love, as He shows us what is good.

 

For He has shown us,

What He has deemed good;

That which God requires,

Commands understood.

If we walk in love,

And our hearts agree;

We’ll be just, humble,

And choose give mercy.

So let us choose walk,

As we’re called to be;

Act justly and love,

In humility.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have shown us what is good and what You require of us through the example of Your Son. Thank You that You don’t just require us to be just, merciful and humble on our own, but You equip and empower us by Your Spirit within us. Forgive us for not loving people as You call us to love. Forgive us for not being just, merciful or humble. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would walk according to Your will in every circumstance. Show us how to love people as You love, so that we would extend mercy and walk in humility, as we are fair and kind in all of our interactions with others. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look to You to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You. Amen.

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

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23