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Abounding Hope

/ Gail Johnson / 12 Comments

Have you ever made a mistake? I daresay, we all have. If there is breath, there is a possibility of error. How do you handle your mistakes? Correct them and move on? Or run and hide while beating up yourself? In the past, I did the latter. Thankfully, I’m learning this journey is a growing process.

Last week, I made a mistake for all cyber world to see. It may have escaped some, but I’m sure it was noticed by others. This mistake? I misquoted a scripture. Yep. I had everything correct but one thing. Where it was located. I quoted Hebrews instead of Romans. Sigh.

Maybe it was because I was thinking of my devotion. Maybe I had too many things open on my desk. Or maybe I just needed to know the world wasn’t going to end if I made a mistake.

Ever been there?

Of course, I know others have done the same thing because I’ve seen it several times. But rather than smirk at their oversight or correct them in the comments, I extended grace. Maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe I needed to pray for them. Or maybe they weren’t paying attention. Who knows?

Oh, why is it so much easier to offer grace to another, and yet fail to dispense it in our own situations? Honestly, I can’t answer that one, my friend. But we do it all the time. At least, I did in times past. But not this time. Well, maybe for a moment. 🙂  But before I could get the party started, I was gently reminded of Peter.

Precious, loveable, and impatient Peter. Peter who spoke when he should have been listening. Doubting Peter who tried to walk on water and failed. Impulsive Peter who whacked off a man’s ear. Cursing Peter, who denied the very One he had promised to protect. Hopeless Peter who thought all was lost and went fishing.

But then…

Jesus came by for a visit. There on the shore, Jesus sat and spoke with Peter about love. Afterward, we see Preaching Peter on the day of Pentecost. Believing Peter healing the sick. Teaching Peter in Cornelius’ house. Writing Peter penning God’s truths. Historical Peter crucified on a cross.

What if Peter had given up? What if he had stepped into the boat and sailed away never to try again? What if he hadn’t accepted the Lord’s grace and forgiveness? Thankfully, Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. And He doesn’t give up on us!

Whatever you do don’t give up! Don’t let fear stop you from trying. Keep fighting. If you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Correct it and move on! Hope waits in front of us. All we have to do is reach out to Him and accept His grace. And then…extend it to ourselves and to others.

Here is the corrected poster. May it warm you to your toes! I know I need it this week! Brrr.

Happy Tuesday, dearest reader! ❤

coastline-1081897_1280 Hope corrected

 

 

Seeing and Believing

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

In 1998, the movie Prince of Egypt came to theaters and my five-year-old-going-on-thirty watched the familiar story of Moses come to life on the big screen. He empathized with the slaves as the whips came down unmercifully on their backs. His heart ached as he watched Jochebed put her baby son into a basket and release him to the river not knowing if he would survive. And he laughed when the camel pulled Moses from the sand.

child-praying-hands-1510773_1920Of course, he had heard the story many times, but seeing it, brought it to life. Through the animated characters, he was able to experience their struggles and heartaches. So much so, that he wanted the captive set free even if he had to do it himself! “Take that, mister!” But nothing prepared him for the wall-to-wall deliverance in the final scene.

Imagine if you will, Moses and the children of Israel marching to freedom. All seems to be going well until they reach the Red Sea and realize Pharoah hasn’t kept his promise. All eyes turn to Moses. As Pharoah’s army approaches, Moses suddenly gets a familiar look on his face, lifts his rod Heavenward and thrusts it into the water. Suddenly the sea stands up and separates!

At that moment, my son turned to me and declared. “I want to be a Moses!” Throughout the years, I have often thought of my son’s response to God’s deliverance of His people.

So can we be a Moses? Joshua? Deborah? Elijah? Jeremiah? Peter? Paul?

Absolutely! On our knees, we can move mountains, calm seas, and defeat the enemy.

The truth is this world needs to see a miracle! As children of God, we may never turn a river red with blood, or unleash a plague of frogs, or part the waters to walk on dry land. But there is one thing that we can do. We can pray.

Prayer…

  • unleashes the power of God.
  • sets the captive free
  • heals the broken-hearted
  • meets the need
  • changes circumstances
  •  brings victory

Remember, there is nothing too hard for the Lord! Let us lift up a prayer for our world. Together we can make a difference.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Weeds and Flowers

/ Gail Johnson / 5 Comments

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalms 19:1

I built my patio nineteen years ago, when I was pregnant with Lindsay, from blocks obtained from an old utility room. For years, hubby has tried to convince me to rip it up, offering to build me a better one. I have refused every time.

DSC00827It may not be the prettiest thing, but it holds the best memories. My late father-in-law used to come for chats under the oak tree. My kids spent hours going ’round and ’round on their Little Tikes car and motorcycle. We enjoyed birthday parties, late-night talks around a fire, and grilled suppers on it. In the summers, I strung lights in the oak, and we enjoyed late-night swims. I’ve wept and prayed, written songs and verse while surveying the beauty of creation.

Every year finds me on hands and knees pulling the weeds from cracks. And every year, my family asks, “Why don’t you just spray the weeds?” I point to the flowers. They peer at the flowers growing between the cracks. They understand. They kneel and begin pulling weeds.

The weeds in this life are a nuisance. If I had my choice, I would choose a life without weeds. But the flowers often found among them are precious.

Trials and tests are like those weeds. I would often choose a life without them. But the blessings I have received among them are priceless.

How about you?

Would you choose a life without weeds if it meant no flowers?