21

21 years ago on this day, the Lord brought me into the world at 5:43am. Somehow it doesn't surprise me that I woke up this morning around 6. *Sigh*. I am still an early bird after all these years. Speaking of birds, Happy Thanksgiving! As thousands of turkeys will grace the center of tables today across the country, I am so thankful to God for all of His bounty. Glory be to Him, not only for food and clothing and a roof over my head, but for forgiveness of sins, daily grace, and His perfect, sovereign providence over my life. This past year, He has been good. He has also been good for the last 21 years. Surely, just as the Apostle Paul asked of the Corinthians, what do I have that I did not receive? The simple answer is nothing. The Gospel, which has transformed my life forever at the moment Jesus reached out to save me, is the only thing I can and should boast of. And what a privilege to say that for 21 years, mercy has chased me, guarded me, provided for me, and sanctified me. In my desire to grasp these amazing truths, I chose to personalize the following psalm in my journal this morning. I pray that it encourages your heart as well!

Psalm 65 (modified):

'I am filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple...
You care for me and water me;
The streams of God are filled with water to provide me with grain,
for that is how you prepare me.
You drench my furrows (faith deepened)
and level my ridges; (pride weakened)
You soften me with showers (surrender needed)
and bless my crops. (generosity undeserved)
YOU CROWN THE YEAR WITH YOUR BOUNTY,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of My desert overflow (your water into my dry heart)
My hills are clothed with gladness (your joy over difficult trials)
My meadows are covered with flocks

(The comforting flock of your people)
and My valleys are mantled with grain

(your all-satisfying love for my emptiness).'

Shifting Shadows

As i reflect on the last two weekends, it amazes me how sharp the contrast of feelings is between them.

the first i shared with my family in pure joy: my sister Nora came into town for four days of laughter, shopping, memories, cooking, running, family time, fellowship, and rest. it was a time of reflection on God's grace in the last year as she has made new roots in Arizona. Her visit was a precious gift of God to me, because it reminded me of how faithful God is to work in our lives no matter how unfaithful or sinful we are. as we recounted grace, we encountered new grace. i cannot wait for her and Travis to come over Christmas break for 10 days!

the second i shared with the Smith family in sorrow and mourning: their little boy Chase went home to be with the Lord on Monday afternoon around 4 o'clock, and yesterday my family and i supported Jon and Jenni at his memorial service with our tears, prayers, worship to God, love and hugs. never in my life have i witnessed such a glorious display of faith and trust in God our Savior. Jon and Jenni Smith have become some of my greatest spiritual heroes. and perhaps Chase was not given the gift of living even one full day here on earth, but his death has given many the priceless gift of cherishing the hope of heaven for multiple days. (go to http://the-smith-family.blogspot.com/ for their blog)

Praise God, for His steadfast character endures forever!

James 1: 17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Whether our days are marked by changing joys or sorrows, let us draw near to the One who never has changed, is not changing, and never will change.