Debris
Our yard was covered with fallen debris after the storm, and we were having friends over that afternoon. Yardmen were not expected til Friday and this was Wednesday, so I asked my husband, if together, we could partner and tackle a clean up job. He agreed and He took care of the big branches and the ones that needed to be broken in smaller pieces, I raked the remaining ground debris in piles and he followed with the pick up. After several filled bags and our job was complete. Instant gratification ( or an hour later) …. And I will say the project was kinda fun to be doing as a team.
As I was raking, I thought…We live in a fallen world, complete with winds and storms and lightening that shake up our lives. And through it all, debris does fall on our hearts and we too have a choice as to how we are gonna deal with those thoughts that often cover our minds:
1) Do we hope they will just fade away and decompose
2) Do we hope someone else will come and help to tackle the overlay that is suffocating the beauty of peace and joy that lie beneath
3) Or do we use our God given tools to try to tackle the problem at hand
I don’t know about you but I have tried all three and none of them not even the third one works without a true hope and understanding that God is the boss…always. He knows what has fallen before you and I and he also knows everything about you and I. And truly God is the only true answer to being freed of fallen debris. Yes he has given us tools to work with (devotions, books, friends, church, his word, self talk etc) but with all and any tools that we have, we need God to be by our side as a guide, an encourager, a friend and most of all a partner. For in our quests, God has a solution to rid the covering that is keeping us from the gift of joy that he has offered us to have.
And how do we do that? By first asking for HIS help, then trusting and having faith that he will respond. What we often forget is that God has made us just as we are with all our quirks and weaknesses and strengths. He knows just how we operate and respond to fallen debris and knows just how to lift whatever it is from from our hearts. There is no one on this earthly place who loves you and I unconditionally more than our God. He sees the beauty in each of us and will only use the turmoil of wind and storm to grow us to be strong in HIM.
When we learn to depend on him, and the Holy Spirit that he has given us to live within us, that is when he works to rid us of the mire that might be before us. HOPE and his grace are the real tools for our peaceful and purposeful existence. This is not a time of despondency but one of growth through faith, hope and confidence that you are never alone in a battle for your best YOU!
So next time a storm comes blowing through your life, or even now if one is brewing….Think God, Trust God, Thank God and Turn it over to God. And in God’s perfect timing you will be free to uncover the beauty , that lies beneath the turmoil, of Christ’s countenance and presence with you and in you.
Dear Lord, Thank you that you will never ask us to fight a battle alone; for you are with us always with us. Though storms may blow through our hearts, you have given us a true hope in your oversight, your provisions, your promises and your presence. May we always keep that truth close in mind and spirit and soul. Amen
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for his Glory will shine through!
