Remembering Goodness Gone By

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done. – (Psalm 143:5, NIV) 

But I remember what happened long ago. I am thinking about all You have done. I am talking about what You made with Your hands! – (Psalm 143:5, ERV) 

I remember the glorious miracles of days gone by, and I often think of all the wonders of old. – (Psalm 143:5, TPT) 

Taking time to remember and reflect on all that God has done in the past, reminds us of the power He has for whatever we are walking through right now. David, who penned Psalm 143, knew well of God’s miracles and faithfulness. He was a boy who was anointed king in his youth, yet did not take the throne for several more years. Additionally, David was a shepherd, and he had killed lions that tried to take his sheep, as God strengthened and empowered him. The Lord protected and preserved David’s life on many occasions, and he knew full well of the works of God’s hands. As a person who has known and loved God for as long as I can remember, I need only pause for a moment before I am flooded with memories of God’s miracles in my own life, and in the lives of those around me. Pausing and reflecting is a wonderful way to find faith restored in weariness, and trust fine-tuned in trying times. God is good, and He is faithful forever. May we ever make time to reflect and remember God’s faithfulness throughout the ages; for the same God who parted the sea, makes a way for you and me. 

May our hearts hold fast, 

To all that God’s done; 

From all creation, 

To each setting sun. 

The strength and courage, 

All that He provides; 

Faithful He loves us, 

Ever by our side. 

Look back in wonder, 

And see all the ways; 

He has been faithful, 

Throughout all our days. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love is evident throughout the ages. Thank You that when we look back, we can see the evidence of Your hand – moving, holding, helping and healing. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Forgive us for neglecting to reflect on Your heart for us throughout the ages, as it is through observing Your goodness in days gone by, we gain hope for Your faithfulness in the future. Teach us to trust You more, as we pause and remember all of Your goodness and grace. Show us how to love those around us in ways that bless them today, and give them hope for the days that are yet to come. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pause and remember the work of Your hands, gaining renewed resolve for Your presence in all that is yet to come. Amen. 

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

I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven itself. – Psalm 89:2

Love Covers

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. – (Proverbs 17:9, NIV)

One who seeks love conceals an offense, but one who repeats it divides friends. – (Proverbs 17:9, CEB)

Love overlooks the mistakes of others, but dwelling on the failures of others devastates friendships. – (Proverbs 17:9, TPT)

 

Choosing to love and forgive when others hurt or offend us through their mistakes, preserves the friendship. Sometimes love needs to talk to the offender, however repeating what transpired to others only deepens the divide. If we do not walk in love with those around us, we will be hurt and offended often. We must assume positive intent, and go directly and gently to the source when we cannot clarify without conversation. Loving relationships last because love seeks to understand, rather than holding the offense and discussing it with others. Sometimes, wise counsel is needed to understand. In such cases, it is a confidential working through what transpired with the intent to make reparations, rather than being bent on returning harm. There are times when what has developed has destroyed trust and created a need for safe distance, yet even then, our charge is to walk in forgiveness and not speak ill of the one who has done harm. May we ever seek the heart of God, who in His very nature, loves and forgives us, so that we too may go forth in love and forgiveness, giving thanks for the gift of others whom He has placed in our lives.

 

Let love lead the way,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

No matter what comes;

Seek to understand,

Like the Holy One.

For the Lord forgives,

Though it’s undeserved;

Such love leads to change,

And friendships preserved.

Don’t speak ill of those,

Who’ve made a mistake;

Choose love as they learn,

Preventing heartache.

For we too will fail,

Do things that cause hurt;

As we receive grace,

Love makes us alert.

Alert to others,

With grace to forgive;

Let’s love as we’re loved,

In His peace we’ll live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your loving kindness that gives grace and forgiveness when we fall short. Thank You that we are called to love in the same way, as no relationship would last without grace. Forgive us for the times that we have held onto the harm caused by the words or deeds of others. Teach us to rely on You to give us Your grace to love through the hurt. Show us how to walk in love in a way that seeks to understand, forgive and love well, without conditions. Lead us to love those around us in a way that extends Your forgiveness and grace, seeking to understand rather that holding onto hurts. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we overlook the mistakes of others with love, knowing that all fall short and need grace. Amen.

 

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

 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. – John 15:12

Come Close

Come close to God, and God will come close to you… – (James 4:8a, NLT)

 

Everyone has heard stories of receiving that dreaded phone call – the one that announces unfortunate news of a loved one, causing an immediate emotional response, and a quick call to action. Yesterday morning, that phone call came to me. At the start of my second period class, I received a frantic phone call from my Mom. It was miraculous that I was at my computer taking attendance when she called, otherwise I would not have even seen her photo pop up on my phone screen, as I keep my ringer off during class. She never calls during school hours, so on a whim, I answered. On the other end of the line, I heard a voice that I barely recognized as hers, telling me that she’d been in a horrible accident. When I asked if she was okay, her response was simply, “no.” She was able to tell me her location, and I knew in that moment, that nothing mattered more than my getting to where she was to be present. My quick, internal, “Oh God, help me!” was followed by my class quickly being covered, a rapid exit from my room, and my arrival on the scene of the accident before the first responders had my mom loaded in the ambulance. Seeing her face and talking to her in person as I held her hand when I arrived at the accident site, brought a bit of peace, despite the destroyed car in front of me. The hardest span of time throughout the entire ordeal, was the time between leaving the scene and arriving at the hospital. Though I could see she had no lacerations visible, the internal and skeletal damage was unknown. All I could do was breathe and pray as I made my way, trusting that He had her in His hands. Thankfully, after two CT Scans, two x-rays, hours of waiting, blood draws and routine checking, Mom was given the all-clear (and the last few hours of her care were provided by a friend of mine who happened to be the nurse on shift in the ER), and walked away from an accident that could have taken her life. God protected and preserved the life of my Mom, and I am forever grateful. Though it is only the morning after, in hindsight, I already can look back and see how He covered and protected my Mom, surrounded and provided for me, as a way was made for me to get to her so quickly, as well as the loving community of friends and family that called, made themselves available, and sent messages to check on Mom as soon as they heard the news. Much of the time I spent waiting for Mom during her scans and x-rays, was utilized to reply to dear ones who were desiring updates on her well-being. I was back and forth between two phones, as the notes kept coming in. Last evening, two of my beloved favorites came to help with both the care of my Mom and to go and check on the status of her car, while another pair of dear former neighbors came to call on Mom to see that she was okay for themselves. God is so good, and He has provided and placed us both in kind and caring communities that are family. More than anything, this continues to show me how near God is in all things and at all times, and how He uses people to be His hands and heart when we hurt. May we ever draw close to God, for He will be near to us.

 

When that call comes in,

And hearts are dismayed;

Call upon the Lord,

He will not delay.

His presence made clear,

In tangible ways;

Hope and help to us,

As we seek and pray.

Choose draw closer still,

For God will be near;

He calms anxious hearts,

His love covers fear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we draw near to You, You are right here, waiting. Thank You that You are faithful to bring peace to our anxious hearts, and surround us with support and encouragement when it is needed most. Forgive us for our fearfulness when we walk into the unknown. Teach us to trust You more. Show us how to love and encourage those around us in times of peace and in times of turmoil. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we draw ever nearer to You. Amen.

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

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15

Let Us Choose Kindness

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. – (Ephesians 4:32, NLT)

Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ. – (Ephesians 4:32, ERV)

 

We are called to be kind, loving and forgiving, just as Christ is unto us. While we were yet sinners, He chose to love us. In the same way, He asks that we choose to love others so that they might see Him through us, and come to know that there is so much more available to all who choose to trust in Christ. May we love, forgive and extend kindness, just as each are given unto us, so that others too, might choose to enter into a relationship with our Redeemer for all eternity.

 

In this crazy world,

Where anything goes;

Let us choose kindness,

So Christ in us shows.

May we choose to love,

Where others might not;

We’ve been forgiven,

Make known what we’ve got.

As we offer grace,

Though it’s not deserved;

May the truth be known,

In Christ, hope’s preserved.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to be kind and loving to one another, just as You are unto us. Thank You that You forgive us, and in turn grant us the grace to forgive others. Thank You that when we do, Your light shines through us, making the truth known to those who might not yet know You. Forgive us for our lack of kindness and grace toward those around us, and for any lack of forgiveness that we harbor in our hearts. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would extend to others, the very same kindness, love and forgiveness that You give unto us. Show us how to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we choose to be kind and tenderhearted to those whom we encounter, forgiving one another as we have been forgiven by You. Amen.

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

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5