A Good Old Fashioned Ramble

I try to keep my posts short and sweet.

Today, I'm just going to share a few things that have been on my heart.

* The grace of God is sufficient. *

I can think of numerous Bible verses on this topic. God has brought them to have great meaning in my life over the last few years. He has given me a glimpse of just what I am not and just what He, the great I AM, is.

This learning has been reinforced by many opportunities. Over and over again I have been called to do things that I would not and could not do on my own. It is in these moments as I taste bits of victory that I see His grace in new ways.

A few years ago, someone asked me to teach their granddaughter to read. For many, this is no big deal, but I honestly did not know where to begin. At that point in time, I did not know how to sound out words. I had been taught to "read" through memorizing certain things without ever being introduced to phonics. Yet, with the help of my wonderful mother and a great program, I not only learned phonetics, but I also taught a little girl to read using them.

I learned that when I am weak, then I am strong!

Earlier this year I was asked to lead a ladies Bible study. At 19, I was by far the youngest person present. Yet, with all that God has taught me over the last few years, this opportunity was a huge blessing. It was amazing to help a group of women see God in new and deeper ways.

I learned to let no one, including myself, despise me for my youth!

By the time you read this, I will be standing in front of a small group of kindergartners. I will be teaching them Bible, phonograms, penmanship, arithmetic, literature, and science. I will be leading them in seeking to know and love and honor our Lord. I will help them learn their memory verse and how to be kind to one another.

I am learning how to look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of my faith - the One who gave me faith to believe and gives strength to endure.

The last few days have left me in a place of longing for heaven. I do not know exactly why, but I was really thinking about how great it's going to be to just be with God. Today at church, the pastor brought me back to reality. Yes, we all long for heaven. Yet, God has work for us here.

He actually said something like, "There is a reason why God does not just save us and then evaporate us to heaven..." He wants us to be here, living on earth among lost sinners, the changed life that He is working out in us. As our lives progress, we should be concerned with seeking His refining fire that cleanses us and fits us for His service.

So, that's where I am. The grace of God is always real. The purpose of God is renewed.

I have been saved to serve. I am being made fit to serve. I love God because He first loved me. I know God because He first knew me. May He continue to work in me both to will and to do what pleases Him.

I leave you with a charge form Ephesians 6:10

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."