Through Your Eyes

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – (1 John 3:18, NIV)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love. – (1 John 3:18, VOICE)

We are charged to live a life that overflows with love, not by mere words, but rather through the things we do over and over again. It is only through living life in a pattern of gracious love that our words will bear any weight. This charge is both a challenge and a command, for if we are to love as Jesus loves we must do as Jesus did. He did not shy away from those who were different than Himself, nor did He walk the other way from those with infirmities, deformities, and various other physical and emotional ailments. Do we choose to love those we do not understand, or do we avoid them? In today’s culture, this is a daily challenge, as we cannot go anywhere without encountering others who view the world through a different lens than our own. How we choose to interact is a demonstration of either love or lack thereof. At the end of the day what matters most is whether or not we choose to love well. Though far from perfect, this is my aim as I wake and begin each day. Some days are more successful than others. Thankfully, we serve a God whose mercies are new every morning, and with each new day is another opportunity to love as He loves us all. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and may every encounter we have demonstrate His love through our actions.

Let love be the aim,

In all that we do;

May all our actions,

Show God’s love is true.

Be it not through words,

But rather what’s done;

Kindness and goodness,

Like the Holy One.

Lead us in Your love,

Throughout each new day;

Help us share Your heart,

And walk in Your way.

Be glorified Lord,

Through every deed;

With hands set to serve,

And give where there’s need.

Show us Lord Jesus,

Each day as we rise;

How to love like You,

View all through Your eyes.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us what it is to love with actions and in truth. Thank You Jesus, that You touched the “untouchables”, You fed the hungry, drew near to the despised and rejected, and in all situations and circumstances, chose love. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen to love through the things that we have done. Teach us to seek You and do as You would do. Lead us to love with actions and in truth so that Your heart may be made clear to all those around us. Show us how to love everyone as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love throughout each new day, and help us to reflect Your goodness as we walk in Your way. Amen.

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

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24

Place of Safety

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. – (Psalm 62:8, NIV)

People, always put your trust in God! Tell Him all your problems. God is our place of safety. – (Psalm 62:8, ERV)

Join me, everyone! Trust only in God every moment! Tell Him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to Him. Believe me when I tell you – He will help you! Pause in His presence. – (Psalm 62:8, TPT)

 

We really are in a space of having no choice but to trust in Him. With the daily tolls climbing of those affected by COVID-19, and the increasing impact it is having on medical system, our economy, and families, it is a space where people either panic or choose to trust. God is a great listener. He hears all that we have to say. No question is too small nor too great, and He is not offended by our lack of understanding. God is our safe space, waiting with open arms to embrace us in our moments of fear, frustration or disbelief. For me, the greatest struggle is having to stay at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love my people who make our house a home; it is the wanderlust in me that has this constant desire to be out moving and doing and exploring. My one escape each day is to run, but that is severely out of balance in relationship to the number of hours I find myself seated on the couch, attempting to make sense of my job and how to function digitally. Please do not misunderstand, for I am immensely grateful that I am among the gainfully employed. Rather, it is a struggle to shift from continually moving around my classroom, and walking about campus, to spending so much time indoors. There is a learning curve, and I am adapting, it just takes time and trust and prayer. What I realize more than ever, is the countless reasons that I do have to express gratitude. Even from indoors, I can see trees surrounding us out each window. When I head outside and walk, I do not need to go far to see cherry blossoms blooming, daffodils cheerfully greeting walkways, and not far off, I can catch glimpses of the Puget Sound. Additionally, when I go further, the snow-capped Cascades rise over the water. If I head a different direction to run, I am greeted by the glorious glaciers gleaming in the early morning light a top Mt. Rainier. Beauty is everywhere, and this is our opportunity to truly take it all in. As we close out our week, may we pause in His presence and share our hearts with He who holds us in the hollow of His hands. God is good, and His love for us knows no end.

 

Choose trust in the Lord,

Share your heart with Him;

He’s present to help,

As we let Him in.

Our place of safety,

When troubles surround;

Peace in the chaos,

Where life and love’s found.

Lean into Jesus,

He always is near;

Ready to listen,

Each heart cry He’ll hear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are certain, even when all around us is not. Thank You that we can trust in You and depend on You to be our space of safety and the One to whom we can say anything that is on our heart. Thank You that You are bigger than our fears, frustrations and doubts. Forgive us for our restlessness as we adjust to a new normal. Show us how to call on You and depend on You to be our safety, our comfort and our companion. Teach us how to love those around us well, even though it will look different, Your heart can be conveyed through kindness, encouragement and support as we offer what we have to give. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our safety, our confidante and the One who hears our every heart cry as we wait out this storm, loving people well. Amen.

 

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

 

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. – Psalm 32:7