Favor

 

I was  recently struck by something about Mary's story in the Bible.  Have you ever thought about the irony between the angels statement about her and his proclamation to her? "The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.'" (Luke 1:30)  If God favors her so, then why is he causing a circumstance in her life that will bring hardship both now (illegitimate pregnancy) and in the future (Simeon predicted her own soul would be pierced because of Jesus. Luke 2:35)?  Shouldn't God's favor mean all goes well for us? What about Jesus?  He found favor with God and man and look what happened to him! 

 

At some point, I bought into the idea that favor meant ease and comfort, rather than the privilege of kingdom work.  Yet the truth of scripture clearly states otherwise. 

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:1-10,

"As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything."

 ^16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18
 

 May I find favor with God and man...Amen.

Just When I Need It

This was my view this morning as I was journaling prayers to God.

This was God's gift to me.

He knew I needed this reminder of His glory and that His mercies are new every morning.


It has been a hard week.  There have been some highs and lows, no doubt connected in the spiritual realm.



It has looked something like this...

There is beauty, but there are also clouds.  God is hearing my cries and He is speaking.  He is asking me to strip away the things I cling to; the safety I seek; my willingness to go only as far as I know I can handle on my own.  He is asking me to trust Him...again.  He is asking me to love with abandon.

And like the pathways of the planes this morning, God is weaving my path across others in a way that only God can.  In a way that leads me to surrender; encouraging me to take the leap of faith, knowing He will catch me and always bring beauty and good with Him.

 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me

 with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in

 a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head

 like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself

 with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

The Sound of Love

We often talk about smells bringing memories alive.  But today I was transported in time by a sound. 

The ordinary sound of stirring my coffee.

I stir my coffee most days, but today was different.  Today when I heard the clink of the spoon against the porcelain cup, I was transported back to my grandparents kitchen. 

I was reminded of the treasured mornings I would wake up at their house and sit at the kitchen table with them, while they drank their coffee and read the paper.  Of course, I needed coffee too, so I could be just like them. 

It is like I can still hear grandma stirring a splash of coffee into a cup of warm milk.  Such a simple thing; yet apparently profound.  After all, that was 30 plus years ago. 

Perry Mason still remains a favorite show of mine, because I watched it with my grandma. She died when I was in the eighth grade and I still miss her so much, especially this morning. 

When I ponder what has brought on this sudden swell of emotion, I can think of only one word...LOVE.  A simple memory wrapped in love.  A sacred moment.  Love given and love received.    I love you Grandma Pischel!

My grandma with my cousin (left) and me.