Are your hands cupped, open wide towards the heavens to receive more of Him today? Or perhaps like me, are they firmly cradled under pits, arms crossed, toes dug in deep earth, with no room to give, to receive, to be vulnerably blessed?
Your home. Is it white with open spaces of canvas for Him to dance His fingertips across with blessings and mercy? Allow Him to paint the beauty of His grace to echo about, singing of His faithfulness.
Through clenched teeth and constant reminders of imperfection within and without, I know I can never measure up to the numero uno critic in my life; me.
So I ask. I come to Him in the morning… asking for an awakening in my inward parts. Lord, make me to hear thy joy and gladness in the morning.
He answers back. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.
The world aches, yearns, leans in close for a glimpse of hope-filled eyes smiling back at them. Will you be those eyes of answered prayer?
When eyes have lost the wonder, the sparkle, and the light has been dimmed to the point of hollow blackness, they continue to look for that last piece of Light in the dark. Even if it is one tiny firefly, flickering with fervancy.
The shadow of the evil one’s lies in the valleys of life give birth to a new day. His mercies, that are new every morning, get quickly stomped upon, like a young child dancing on reflected asphalt.
But His Truth shines brighter. Will you and I be the one to carry His torch of truth throughout the darkest of valleys? His Love will saturate the heart and make the doubts flee. The inertia of life can leave us in a choke-hold. A garment of shame can leave us powerless to be vulnerable again, and paraplegic to change.
Will you give it over to Him? That fear? That lack of obedience? Whatever it is? Lay the rich-sod down upon a thirsty ground. There is a stained-glass horizon of hope for you… just waiting. Take a friend’s hand along the way…
Psalm 5:11-12
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Very inspiring post! Thank you!
I am my biggest critic too. I’m learning to see myself through God’s eyes. Thanks for this post.
Beautiful, I always need the reminder, thank you.
Very thought-provoking words. Thank you.
What a beautifully written reminder, especially to those of us who aren’t naturally “morning people.”
Thank you!
Hey girl, it’s been a while! Love your blog, so glad to have gotten the email. I couldn’t remember your blog name.
I tried to follow you, but the page kept coming up saying “page not found.”
Such beautiful words..glad I stopped in and found them. And ONE of my favorites: “Lay the rich-sod down upon a thirsty ground. There is a stained-glass horizon of hope for you..”
I am my own worst critic. Nothing I do ever seems good enough. I am striving to understand that I am fully accepted by God, even in my failures. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Thank you for this precious reminder that His mercies are new every morning. Needed this as I head back to another day in the classroom facing teenagers that are not always willing to learn.
Donna
anotherbattlewon.blogspot.com
Great Post Traci, and by the way – Addison Road “What do I know of Holy” is one of my favorite songs!!
Wow! How inspiring! So often after morning time we are like “Today is going to be great” and then something happens and we set ourselves up for failing for the rest of the day instead of taking it right back to the One who wants to strengthen us.
I am also my own critic. Do I listen to myself? No!! But I do know when to let God’s beauty into my life and up-lift me. Open mind, open arms, open hands = Inspiration, Love, Peace, and Visual Beauty.
The last snowfall is not an obstacle, or even a failure for me. It is beautiful and peaceful.
Your inspiration has lifted me up.
Thank you Traci
Beautiful Traci!
It reminds me of something my mom wrote to me when I was 16 I think.. your life is like a field of snow, be careful how you tread, for every mark will show.. something like that 😉 That’s what happens alright, we wake to fresh snow and as we go through the day, we make marks. Thank God His mercy is fresh every morning! Psalm 23.. the Lord is my Shepherd, that was our Psalm at Mass today too!
Traci,
Another good article. I’ve read a couple of others and you are really cranking out some good posts with important food-for-thought. Good job.