God blesses us and looks at us with favor, not to give us things or to make our lives leisurely and easy to endure, but instead to show others how to know him, how to be saved.
Sanctification is no quick fix
prayer
Protective goggles and God’s staggering love for us
My eyes ached. I wish I were one of those strong and stoic people who said things like, “I wish I could take your place, take the pain for you.” But I’m not and I don’t. Instead I pray.
Flat tires and wild imaginings
Like a constrictor squeezing harder with each gasp, the feeble mind eliminates any rational line of thinking. It is why anxiety can feel so suffocating.
Waiting on Shrinky Dinks
I think of Eugene Peterson and his explanation of what it means to wait on God, wait on God in prayer: “Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts,”
Pity parties and answered prayers
"All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful." ~Flannery O'Connor I felt small, and not the good kind of small. Not the kind that meant the black you wore was flattering and the muffin top was less visible. This was purely the less visible kind. The kind where … Continue reading Pity parties and answered prayers
The thorn isn’t leaving
I look for tidy answers to tiring days. Those long days, moments discouraging seem to run me down, even during what should be sabbath rest. It’s as if attacks are more prevalent when we’ve celebrated worship, rejoiced in The Victory. I can run down lists of all the ways the kids are awry and how … Continue reading The thorn isn’t leaving
Teach us to pray
Prayer is hard. For years I have tried to teach it to my children while learning myself. From my oldest daughter asking me to pray for the boy that will bring her ring to my youngest son asking me to pray for his spots. (His sensitive skin has given us all kinds of fun fits.) … Continue reading Teach us to pray
thatdaubing 