God is "Always"

A month or so ago, my 24-year old daughter and I had such a heart-felt and interesting conversation, where we spoke about times past - of conversations, of events, of family relationships. 

During this reminiscing conversation, Mary Grace was recalling her last conversation with her Aunt Jean.  (My sister went to be with the Lord five years ago after a two-month battle of aggressive lung cancer.)  Mary Grace (a very sensitive soul who might suggest she is otherwise) had a private conversation with Aunt Jean during her last visit in Virginia.  Any doubts Mary Grace may have had about her Aunt's love were erased when, during this conversation, Aunt Jean said to her, "I have always loved you, Mary Grace, from the moment I first saw you.  I have always loved you." 

Mary Grace and Aunt Jean in Tampa, Florida
soon after we arrived from Peru in 1988

As Mary Grace related this conversation to me the other day, her eyes filled with tears - tears of joy - in realizing again that indeed her Aunt Jean always loved her.  How precious it was for Mary Grace to be reminded of these words of loving confirmation in her mind and heart!  How encouraging and uplifting.

Mary Grace and her Aunt Jean in 2004 in Tampa, Florida

And, as followers of Christ, who study the Bible - we are reminded again and again - that the one true God is "Always" -  always striving, always watching, always protecting, always teaching, always guiding, and always loving. 

How encouraging to us!  How uplifting to us!  God remains - God is constant - God is always.  I can hardly understand this - and yet I drink it in like a parched traveler who finally comes upon a stream of clear, clean water - Living Water. 

Amazing!  O Wondrous Love,
Susie

Verses to consider:
I Samuel 15:29 - "Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”
Psalm 33:11 - "The counsel of the Lord stands forever."
Matthew 28:20 - "...for I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
I John 4:8 -  "...for God is love."
I Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

God is the Glue

I recently read the most wonderful story written by my friend, Marion, and asked her permission to post it. Please read it below:

This year, I struggled to find words to put to paper.  I knew the verse I wanted.  I knew the song I wanted, but still found no way to link the two together.  And I've learned that when the words aren't there -to hold on - to wait.

Last year, my father-in-law passed away.  I took his nativity set home with me.  It is very beautiful and very expensive, and I love it.  As God would have it, the box was flipped over and smashed to the ground.  I just cried.  I installed the entire set of broken pieces into the trash.  Well, you know that hard, stubborn head my husband has?  He dug all of it out of the garbage and, piece by piece, glued ever figurine together, all but one.  Jesus was the only piece in that entire set that wasn't broken.  I'm serious.

One of my son's dearest friends was admiring the nativity this year.  He had no idea the trauma this set had endured last year.  We laughed as I told him every piece is broken and meticulously super-glued together, all but one.

Rich, wise men and their camels they rode in on - lowly, poor, stinky shepherds and their unruly sheep they tended - a simple girl and the honorable man who covered and protected her..  All sinful - all flawed - all broken --- but One.  Jesus.

The song (I chose) is called "O Savior of Our Fallen Race" by Keith and Kristyn Getty

May you ponder this year just how lovely God meticulously super-glues your brokenness, snatching you out of darkness and the shadow of death, to guide your feet into the way of peace before a Holy God.

"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:78-79

Isn't that an awesome picture of God's redemption and Jesus' unbroken-ness? Isn't the song that Marion had chosen so perfect for this story.  May God be glorified!  May Jesus and His unbroken perfection be held high!  Thank you, Marion, for your gift of words!

In Him,
Susie