A Letter - On Brokenness

Dear you,

Since it isn't possible right now, for all of us to sit around the same table and sip coffee and talk about the things that are going on in our lives, I wanted to invite you to this space, this common space, to let you in on some of the things I have been thinking about. We  have been through a lot in this span of life we have lived.  We have traveled many different roads, most with ruts, bumps and the occasional detour.

Let me be the first to say that I am broken.  WE are broken.  None of us has all of the answers, none of us is perfect.  If we pretend we are fine, that nothing is wrong...well, that just proves how broken we really are.  Sometimes pride or fear keeps us from owning those cracks.  Sometimes we don't realize that we are broken, because brokenness is all we have known. 

Our faults are not to be worn as a badge of courage, a banner to wave when we feel slighted, insignificant or hurt.  Our faults need to be admitted, recognized and called out for what they are.  But we also need to recognize that when others present their faults to us, they are to be handled with care, mercy and grace.  If there is correction needed, then correction must be given and accepted in love.  If there is reconciliation needed, then it also must be attempted and if possible, accepted. **I do believe that if any party is not in the right place, then attempts for correction and reconciliation can be more damaging and hurtful.**

We are works in progress.  We will not see the final result of our striving this side of eternity.  But that doesn't mean we should sit back and accept where we are.  We press on and move forward.  We can try under our own strength and will, but that won't last long.  We will get exhausted. 

There is One who has already done the work.  Some of us may know this.  We need to remember to go to Him with our faults.  This One has carried all of our faults to a hill.  There they were all carried on His back, nailed to His cross, and the payment was made in full.  Payment for what?  For this thing called sin.  Sin separates us from the Most High, El Elyon, Jehovah, I AM.  He is holy, righteous and just.  He cannot tolerate sin.  So for we who are born sinful, with faults, what does that mean? What do we need to do?  We look to Jesus, ask forgiveness for our wrongdoings, accept His wonderful, extravagant gift!  The gift that God's Son took our faults, our brokenness, our sin upon Himself, paid the ultimate, horrendous price that was for us, and did it willingly so we could be set free. 

Do you know Him?  If you do, thank Him for His grace, mercy and love.  Go to Him with your struggles and ask Him for direction.

If you don't know Him, please call out to Him.  Go to Him with your struggles and ask Him for direction.  Tell Him of your sin (confess) with a contrite heart.  Ask Him to forgive your sins - by believing they were nailed to the cross when Jesus was crucified.  Accept His grace and mercy through Jesus.  Follow Him.  Love Him.  Praise Him!

With Insufficient Gratitude

As we approach Good Friday, humility overwhelms when I think about the awful torture, pain, suffering and death that Jesus took upon Himself, willingly, that we, I might have the opportunity to share in a banquet with Him, the Father and Holy Spirit. 

We know that this doesn't end on Friday. 

Sunday waits just beyond, with the promise and hope of a future - an eternal future - so bright and full of joy, we cannot imagine!  So it is with insufficient gratitude that I offer a quiet prayer of thanksgiving, knowing that He hears me, and knows me, and still loves me in spite of who I am, or what I have done or will do...

In Everything Give Thanks...

Choosing gratitude in brokenness is not easy.  It requires sacrifice of self, of self-righteousness, of pride.   It might necessitate apology and forgiveness and humility.  There is an element (a rather large element) of trusting that God is present, even in this, even if He seems invisible.
He promises that if we put our trust in Him, He will never leave or forsake us. 

Today I hold to that promise
I hold to Him
I choose gratitude

Another Beginning

Today is the first day of school for the girls.  Our youngest was a little nervous, but walked through it step by step, and into the doors of high school.  Our oldest is a trooper, and so kind to offer a seat at lunch, if needed, to her sister and friends. 

It is strange to know that really, we are this close to the end of their schooling.  Weren't they just starting first grade?  Riding the bus, getting new backpacks that were smaller, lighter, just enough to carry some papers that had colors or letters or numbers to practice...
Now their packs have to be large enough to accommodate text books, and binders, and notebooks.  (And do we need to find a chiropractor to fix the curve in their spine from carrying all of these?) 

Time certainly keeps marching forward, though some days it feels like a sprint...

As we wind our way through this year, there will be new things to learn, and things to review.  There will be beginnings and endings, good and bad, trials and celebrations. 

We hold to love, faith, and each other as we work through difficulties, and as we rejoice in accomplishments.  We know the One who holds us all in His hand, and we are grateful to Him for His blessings, mercy, grace and love. 

Another Stone...

 As we approach Sunday, and the next step you take in your faith walk, I think of Joshua and how he listened to God.  How he trusted and obeyed with strength and courage from God.  As they crossed the Jordan on dry land, God told him to take twelve stones as a testimony...

And I think of you as you prepare your testimony.  The account of the things God has done and continues to do in, around and through you.  I think of how you have learned to trust in the midst of trials, in the valley of difficult friendships, and the daily struggles of just being human.  And I thank God that He is watching over you, carrying you and teaching you so many things. 



Remember the work here isn't finished.  We are all still "works in progress."   



We begin as empty shells, filled with wants and needs and sin - yes, sin.  That dirty rotten side of us that seeks out our own desires, that makes us think and say and do things that hurt others.  

 But God knows this.  Before we were born, He knew who we were going to be.  How we were going to be, and He loved us.

 You have chosen to follow Him.  You are seeking His heart and His will and His way. You have accepted His truth and His gift.

  And you choose to bloom and follow Him even when everything around you seems dead and different and hard.

 I pray you continue in His light, letting it shine through you and into the world that so desperately needs it.  Let His Holy Spirit continue to lead.  Be sure to stay tuned to His voice.

     When you feel stuck and alone, and maybe, like you are going the wrong direction in a sea filled with so many options...trust your Heavenly Father.  Trust that He loves you, has created you with a purpose, that He is always with you, and He is your helper.

 

Watch for Him in everything, be grateful for His blessings and remember His promises.  He is faithful, true, and mighty to save.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 

Keep gathering these stones, and remember God's faithfulness.  Keep recalling them to those around you who will listen, to those who may need encouragement and reminders of what God can do and is doing. 

Love you - Mom

Insufficient gratitude

As we approach Good Friday, humility overwhelms when I think about the awful torture, pain, suffering and death that Jesus took upon Himself, willingly, that we, I might have the opportunity to share in a banquet with Him, the Father and Holy Spirit.

We know that this doesn't end on Friday.

Sunday waits just beyond, with the promise and hope of a future - an eternal future - so bright and full of joy, we cannot imagine! So it is with insufficient gratitude that I offer a quiet prayer of thanksgiving, knowing that He hears me, and knows me, and still loves me in spite of who I am, or what I have done or will do...

A Prayer

I found this a while back.  I wrote it several years ago for the girls, and as I read it, I realized that God is answering this even when I forget to ask.  He is faithful and true, even when I am not paying attention!

 Father, bless their sleep, my prayer

Guard their minds, their souls, their cares

Keep them still throughout this night

Wake them with the morning light

Bind their fears and grant Your peace

May Your mercy never cease

Stay with them all of their days

Bless them Lord, is all I pray

Lord of Hope, of Grace, of Love

Look on these girls from up above

Smile on them Lord, shine through them too

May they be bright lights, shining for You

May they know the love you gave

 By sending Your Son, our souls to save

Let them share Him faithfully

And allow others Your love to see

Father, bless their sleep this night

Keep their spirits shining bright

Thank You for this day we’ve spent

And for these girls who are heaven-sent.

--Holly Campbell