25 Jul …beautiful things…
Press play…then read.
A few weeks ago a friend of my family’s house burned down.
The house belonged to a mom and her two sons.
She was home alone. She had been out on the porch reading and had gone upstairs to exercise.
Within 10-15 minutes she smelled something burning…
…her home.
Fortunately, her two boys were not there. One was at my house.
Once she made her way to the safety of outdoors, she called to let us know what was going on.
My mom, brother, and her son rushed over to the house.
And watched as the flames were slowly forced under control.
But the destruction could not be erased or covered up.
Her son returned to our house…because it was the preferable place to go with minimal alternative options.
As we talked about how he was doing he commented, “I’m the only one in my family with a change of clothes.”
 |
| The dining room floor. |
As I attempted (and failed) to imagine what this must feel like, God whispered to me… “Where does your heart lie, Emily? What if you were the one with nothing but a change of clothes?”
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. {Matthew 6:19-21, NIV}
“But God,” I argued, “I mean…everything they have is gone.”
“But my dear child…is my grace not sufficient?”
“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.'” {Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV}
“But…what is going to happen? What are they going to do? How do you even navigate through something like this?”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” {Jeremiah 29:11-14, TNIV}
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” {2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV}
I asked myself…”would I boast in this situation, call on God for my every need? Stand firm and secure against so much uncertainty and insecurity?”
…..
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise,
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”
{Isaiah 61:1-4, 7}
And with this I fall to my knees with no words, but pure gratefulness.
How can such a wonderful God still want to love me? Still want to take care of all of my needs?
How could I possibly deserve a plan that is good?
…I don’t.
But he does love. And provide.
(And has taken care of this family.)
________________________________________
I was talking with a friend today and she said, “God always knows. He always comes through. He always has your hearts best interest.”
Isn’t that so true?
How stupid is it to try to struggle for control when I don’t even know what is best for myself?
During that same conversation…that was actually about addiction and AA…I looked my friend in the eye and told her that I would never wish an addiction to anything on anyone, including myself, but that when I attended that AA meeting and saw their raw and clear and honest dependence on God…I couldn’t help but be envious. They knew He was the only thing getting them through the day sober.
Dependent.
Oh, but that my pride would be burned to the root. Seared so badly that there is no hope for recovery.
Today…I pray for brokenness. Brokenness to all the things that stand between me and the One who loves better, harder, stronger, more passionately, more intimately, longer, wiser, and more securely than any other.
I pray for beauty restored from the things that try to hold me captive and the ashes that their destruction so often brings.
I pray to truly believe that “he makes beautiful things…beautiful things out of us.”
…always.
KJM
Posted at 21:55h, 25 Julybeautifully written dear lil elw…and a bold prayer i might add
Tina Brown
Posted at 03:04h, 26 JulyAll I can think of is wow…PERSPECTIVE!!
rootedinlove
Posted at 23:40h, 26 JulyThis is my favorite post you've ever written. Very enjoying-the-small-things-esque. But BETTER actually because it drew me to Him! Love you sister!
EmilyLorin
Posted at 02:52h, 27 JulyChels…thank you so much. That is one of the most sweetest compliments you could give me. I am so flattered. Love you!<br /><br />Tina…so true, isn't it?!!<br /><br />KJM…you're my love. Thank you.