Christian Living

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Oh, how I wish I’d had film in my camera this morning!

I woke quite early today to the sounds of a thunderstorm raging through our little town. There was a time, not so far in the past, when thunderstorms made me rather nervous. Thankfully, they no longer bother me at all. In fact, I find them quite fascinating... even beautiful.

One of my sisters and I were just teasing my brother a couple of weeks ago as he moved quickly away from the edge of the porch at the sight of lightning. I remember those times, those moments when fear shot through my veins with the same kind of power as a lightning bolt. My inner being was plagued with personal thunderstorms, depression and anxiety that would leave a storm like the one we experienced this morning looking like a light sprinkle.

It is difficult to see the wonders of God that exist all around us, everywhere, when our eyes are set on lightning. It is difficult to hear the still, small whispers of Love when we are deafened by the sounds of thunder. But no doubt, when the storms pass, we have no trouble seeing the rainbow. That’s mercy.

At some point, we come to a place where we can look around us and see God in a multitude of tiny things -- spring growth, mountains, valleys, canyons, flowers, the elderly laughing, children singing, a good deed, or a tender touch. Our eyes haven’t changed. Our surroundings haven’t changed. But our outlook certainly has. More importantly, our hearts have changed, thus changing the way we see the world around us.

But then, there are extraordinary times when the Lord simply blesses us with beautiful, unexpected displays of love wrought by His own hands, a specially crafted gift of beauty, just because. He touches our hearts with songs that only we can hear. He gives us gifts of beauty that we don’t have to make any attempts to search out. That’s grace.

I stepped out onto the porch this morning, after the storm had passed. The easterly sky was almost solidly covered in dark clouds. It was after 8:00 a.m., so the sun had long risen. It was no surprise to see all that silver lining -- mercy. But sunrays spread across the entire eastern sky like a huge fan. It was postcard perfect! It was a pleasant surprise that I never considered looking for -- the arms of the Almighty spread out in heavenly-hug stance. It was simply a gift from the hands of Love -- grace.

I called my great niece, five year old Kacie, outdoors to see the wonder of God with me. To my pleasant surprise, He blessed me with another touch. Kacie began to sing the song, just as I’d recently taught her, “Our God is an awesome God; He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God.” Oh, how my heart swelled! I really must get the video camera battery charged up. A still portrait would not have done the scene justice, just as, I’m sure, my explanation doesn’t quite paint the picture for you.

It is truly a wonderful thing to be able to see all the beautiful things that surround us. But it is more than wonderful to know the hands of Love. That is no breeze kissing your cheek on a summer evening. It is, rather, the breath of God whispering the extraordinary gift of grace, a song of Love only we can hear.
© Joyce Pool

Psalm 57 (NIV)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
Selah
God sends his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.

10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

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