Listen, we

Dear ones, 

         Sometimes I watch your eyes when we talk. When bruised spots are touched. And I want these words to penetrate. God, help me not say something stupid You are not defined by the blows you've taken or given out. Your hearing is good and you nod in understanding. My heart aches. I want to make it take root in your hearts, cut you free from this anchor. God, give me wisdom to know when to stop speaking my own words, let them be yours Because you don't believe it, yet. God, help me believe it  My eyes want to swap with yours so you could see yourselves as I do. Precious ones, fearfully and wonderfully made. Without lenses of "have-dones" or "should-bes," but as you are. Here. You are loved and lovely right now. And my vision is no where near that of your creator, who sees you and holds you as his child. I understand. I struggle to keep hold of this promise, too. God, you really want to use this lump of clay?  I see the panic. The frustration. The fear. The tears of defeat. I want you to feel the breath of life that comes when you let God's words to you - about you - burn away all the lies. God, burn those gripping me right now  You are no more scandalous than the rest of us. God, help me remember this, too  Christ's covering for us out of God's love for us is the scandalous part. Undeserved and shocking. 

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

So, those moments of cracking the door open to give me a glimpse of your heart, your struggles? They're gifts for this anxious one who needs to remember it all, too. See, God is using you right now. When we talk, I can hear the Spirit echoing all of this back to my own ears. my own heart. This is where we find rest, dear ones. 

^^^Like the shirt in the pic? I put a new post on"Wearing My Blog on My Sleeve," with a link so you can get your own and support a cool organization.^^^

"Ain't it just like grace to come wash away this shame..."
​In Ruin / the Violet Burning

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