Monday Mercies: 10.17.11 {No Greater Mercy}

“There is no greater mercy that I know of on earth than good health except it be sickness; and that has often been a greater mercy to me than health…

It is a good thing to be without a trouble; but it is a better thing to have a trouble, and know how to get grace enough to bear it.” {C.H. Spurgeon}

Pondering this quote today and recognizing Truth. Thanks to Ann Voskamp for including this quote in her post.

My Monday Mercies...

sunlight spilling in on wooden floors
little girl legs in aqua tights, tucked into pink furry slippers
the learning, even when it's hard
the teaching, even when it's hard
jobs in this economy
flour for bread-making
washing machine to spin linens clean
pillow & heating pads to help combat pain
stacks of warm sweet laundry
sweet little faces
hands that hurt less today
marriage and partnership
autumn-hued leaves

What are your mercies today?

Grace's Gift

"God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God."
Ephesians 2:8 NLT

While Judgment flicks lint from his suit jacket and wonders why others don't serve like he does, Grace watches carefully for those using their gifts, and thanks them for their ministry.

While Judgment gloats in his punctuality and perfect attendance, Grace greets the late with a warm heart and a warm hello.

While Judgment scrawls his name on the sign-up sheet for all to see, Grace shows up with sleeves rolled up, ready and willing to serve.

We are each given spiritual gifts, and are called to serve in different ways. Some sing and some teach, some play musical instruments and some preach; some introduce our little ones to Jesus, while others arrive early to unlock the doors and flood God's house with light.

While we learn to identify and utilize our individual spiritual gifts, there is one gift we have all been given and that is grace. We have all been shown a remarkable example of Christ's perfect love. Instead of being quick to criticize or judge, how can we learn to err on the side of grace, and instead of judgment, offer more love?

Let's love better. Grace is a "one size fits all" gift: it is wonderful both to give and receive, and never goes out of style.

Always and Forever Love

This man I exchanged rings with, tall, dark haired, and broad shouldered, helps me tuck clean sheets around mattress, and tells me he is going to massage my back. This man, who lost sleep last night due to my pain-filled, fitful slumber, wants to help soothe the ache and the pain away, shoo it off so I can find rest tonight. He spends time massaging oil into my back and shoulders, calves and feet, kneading out the tension and soreness as best he can, before tucking me between clean sheets, plugging in heating pad to deliver warmth to my spine, and going to gather my nighttime meds and cold water.

He has always amazed me, this man, with his ability to love me so well. He has taken tender care of me post-op times five, when depression reared its ugly head, through loss & grief, through episodes of extreme pain, and now, when chronic illness came to call. 

And somehow, despite all of my weaknesses, this man, this one I love, is still happy to spend forever with me.

All I can think is that God truly knows my needs. And since He knows the end from the beginning and sees the future, He knew that I would need this man.

This man, with his unconditional love, has been the closest thing I have encountered to God and His “unbreaking, never-ending, never giving up, always-and-forever love.”*

This is how Christ loves us, His bride! Not willing to spend forever without us, despite our flaws and weaknesses.

How loved are we?

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*If you have young children at home, I whole-heartedly recommend the Jesus Storybook Bible.