I
don’t recall any other year feeling so intimate with our Lord regarding my one
word as in 2015. God’s GRACE laced my
ordinary days and each night, before falling asleep I would recall grace, so apparent, in the events of the day!
Memories
also surfaced of grace in my past and I knew I had to write about them. I felt compelled to share the grace that blanketed
my personal life. Thank you for reading
my stories over this past year. Your
comments support and encourage me.
I
received my new word, “Creator,” and felt perplexed as every year wondering what my one word would
unveil. What does God want me to learn about His name,
Creator? I wonder if I should join my girlfriend,
Peggy, more often when she leads nature hikes in the mountains of Sedona. Does God want me to appreciate and to praise
Him for the beauty of His creation all year?
I
think it’s more than that. A Scripture
verse springs up in my mind from time to time and has become my prayer:
Create in me a
clean heart, O God.
And renew a right
spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Some
who visit my blog are not Christians and do not follow the teachings of
Jesus. It must feel confusing at times. We Christians get excited about renewal and
having a place to go to get our hearts right!
When my grand kids were visiting over the holidays, I placed the two of them, seven years old and twenty-one months old, in my office to color with big, wide color books on the floor. Pandora’s children’s station rocked through the computer speakers as I closed the door. It always works while we, in the kitchen, finish up preparing dinner and setting the table. However, that evening they got into trouble. Seven year old Sookie knows better than to let her sister draw on anything but paper. The white plastic cover to their craft box sported a new design: crayon scribbling!
Papa
thought the design added some personality to the storage bin I keep for their
supplies. I knew their mother would soon
find out and deal with them and she did.
Sookie had to apologize to me and promise not to do that again. I had to express disappointment but
forgiveness with love, setting her free.
How to clean crayon
off surfaces!
My
girlfriends with small children introduced me to Mr. Clean and his big
eraser. It took but five minutes and all
the residual from crayon art disappeared.
That’s
what it’s like for us sinners, too. We
feel disappointed in ourselves because we should have known better! We go to Jesus, Our Savior, who paid the price
for all sin, big or small, and He forgives us so we can forgive ourselves.
Our
soul is, once again, pure white. He
creates a right spirit within us! Oh,
the freedom of being right with God!
I
look forward to what I will learn from my Creator this year. I promise to share it! And I’m guessing with a word like Creator, I’m
hoping to share more photography too!
I
close with some photos taken by my friend, Peggy, for your enjoyment! Happy New Year, my friends! May you be blessed beyond your wildest
imagination in the coming year!
Your photos are gorgeous, and this is such an inspiring post! Thank you so much for all the encouragement and joy you provide. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI'm touched, Linda, that you found joy here! Wishing you a great 2016!
DeleteThis post was so refreshing like cold water to a thirsty throat. I love how you share your heart with us time after time and how God is showing His face to you daily. I love that He uses daily circumstances to teach us a spiritual lesson such as He did with the crayon box. I can't wait to read how God is using your new word in your life in the coming year. Hugs sweet friend...
ReplyDeleteIt is our simple days activities that He shows up, isn't it? Just like in the Bible...simple folks, extra-ordinary God mingling in the mundane. Hugs back to you, Nancy!
DeleteOh, poor Susanna! What a super solution to show her your disappointment, but forgive with love.
ReplyDeleteCreator seems destined for you. I can't wait to see how it manifests itself in your everyday!
Creator is all over me, Myra. I'm hearing it continuously asking God to reveal what I need to learn!
DeleteWhat a great word for 2016! I like it with Creator! I'm going to blog my word probably tonight along with a catch up post since I haven't blogged since before Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteHow cute with the grands and the coloring "out of the lines". Doesn't that seem to always happen even in the best of intentions not to? A wall, a paper that shouldn't be, etc. But good analogy of cleaning that up and how Jesus "cleaned" our sins through his death on the cross and resurrection.
betty
Great thoughts, Betty, about the "out of lines" coloring. My brain is spinning, girlfriend! Looking forward to reading about your word too!
DeleteBeautiful sharing from your heart. I like the way you demonstrated Grace to your grandchild. Looking forward to future sharing on the word Creator. Love your photos of God's beautiful creation.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy, for your kind words!
DeleteSuch a beautiful post! I couldn't get a one word this year. Nothing really came but I did get ideas and concepts that encompass more than one word so I set some goals. I love my Mr Clean Magic Eraser! Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteGood for you the way you follow the Lord's leading. I read your goals and they are awesome! A magic eraser...who knew? Hugs to you, Melanie!
DeleteCreator - what a fantastic word!! I think God is going to do a lot with that word in your life. Showing you the beauty of His creation (and I can't wait for more photos) - and also spurring you on to your own creations. Very exciting...
ReplyDeleteAs to those scampy grandkids - that must have been a dilemma. Because in one sense, they were being creative, right?! I have not yet introduced myself to Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser, but with this hearty endorsement, I think I will.
Looking forward to sharing the journey, Mary.
GOD BLESS!
(My word for 2016 is grateful - would love to have you stop over at my blog and let me know what you think!!)
I definitely will be glued to your posts this coming year because you weave your revelations so beautifully in your teachings!
DeleteOh, such beautiful photos! And I love your word for 2016! I am still seeking the Lord as to what mine should be. I feel like I am all over the place right now with so many words coursing through my mind! It may end up being another acronym like last year, only the dear Lord knows! So thankful for you, sweet friend, and to be able to walk this Christian blogging journey together. You are such a blessing to me! Happy New Year, and I look forward to see what our Creator creates in your life this year!!
ReplyDeleteLove your heart, Cheryl. I learn so many good things from you.
DeleteWhat a sweet story about the coloring outside the lines. LOL. Mr Clean Eraser sounds like something I must purchase. There is a wall near Pastor's office at our church that could use a good swipe with something like this. I love your word, create and the verse that goes with it. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to like that eraser. Plus you will be the pastor's new best friend! Thank you for the way you support our writing!
DeleteThank you for a very nice thought-provoking post to start the New Year. Wishing you and your family the best of years filled with all you desire.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all.
Oh, Victor, you are saying all the right things!
DeleteThat is definitely a God-breathed word! He is the great Creator after all. I am excited for you! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Lynn. Glad we are on this exciting journey together!
DeleteAs usual, you broke into a lot of attention. Among other things, I sure loved the pictures. I'm a squirrel addict and a bird lover -- and love the flower and the clouds. And the Word of God in Psalm was a real grabber. Anyhow, thank you so much for sharing re: you and your family. Bless you, Dear.
ReplyDeleteYou are a nature lover, Joanne! Blessing right back at ya!
DeleteThe pictures are beautiful! Awe...CREATOR! What an awesome word choice for you from our Lord this new year. There is no doubt in my mind that He will use this word in ways you never imagined. Thanks for sharing your heart. And I do praise Him that He uses that big eraser for me! Happy New Year! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteThank you for the big hug! I felt it all the way from Florida!
DeleteHi Mary! I love those Magic Erasers. They do wonders on my shower walls and floor too. Whoever was the 'creator' of that needs a round of applause!
ReplyDeleteBest of blessings as you travel this year with your Creator, seeing all the wonders He has made. What a great start with these beautiful photos of birds. His artistry can't be beat! You'll have a lot to notice, I'm sure of that.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Ceil
Ceil, may He open my eyes big to see His glory, the glory of His creation too. I'll try the eraser in my shower, too! Luv u!
DeleteI'm looking forward to the wisdom our Father is getting ready to guide you in, Mary, and you sharing it. Perfect analogy of our sin and need for repair and forgiveness. The scrubbing does get a bit painful!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I'm wishing you a year of open doors, favor from Heaven for all your hopes and dreams Floyd!
DeleteYour header pic reminded me from my family's vacation where I was literally running away from the tiny squirrel which was looking at my right hand guarding some shiny pebbles we picked up from the famous stone beach. Perhaps, it thought I had food for him. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed all your pics. There is something in photography that makes one gain an unfathomable appreciation of His creations! But there are also those things that couldn't be shot by a camera...You just have them framed in your heart and I love that you shared about "grace"...I remember when my oldest Christian brother asked a "newbie Christian me then" "What did I understand about His grace?" it didn't take a long time, only a deep breath and I told him "I just feel it's something being given to me that is not deserving..." As soon as I said that, I felt "His unconditional love" that coated that "gift."
I love your story of forgiveness and His love is just evident with your daughter instilling self-responsibility with her kids and teaching them the importance of acknowledging mistakes and having the ability to know when to say "I'm sorry" no matter what consequences. (Though they already know the loving grandma would always love them no matter what :)
Happy New Year to you sister and this journey, no matter how full of trials seems to be okay because we know we are not alone. First, we have Him, then, us, His children scattered yet close in Spirit, Truth and again, because of His loving grace. Hugs to you. God bless.
Yes, we have Him and each other and we can face tomorrow! I'm grateful for your thoughts here. May your New Year be extravagantly framed with His love and provision! Luv you, sister.
ReplyDeleteThese are great photos, and wonderful thoughts to bring in the year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Lux! May it be wonderful.
Delete