Bonfires

I recently had to wrestle with a forgiveness issue. I was hurt and deeply disappointed by someone. I went back and read again something that James MacDonald had written while he was on a sabbatical. The quotes below really struck a chord with me. Especially what his friend wrote about in our imperfections we sometimes, “Drag our weirdness into situations.” Can anyone but me identify with that statement?

James’ excerpt: Kathy and I have had a lot of time to walk and talk and process so much that has happened. The praises go with you all the days of your life but the pains have to be left behind. Week by week Kathy and I have been talking and praying about a ‘bonfire.’ It won’t be a literal one but we will be gathering up all the ‘hard parts’ and our relational disappointments in a very focused way and entrusting those to God as we head out into a new season of joyful fruit bearing for God’s glory. I encourage you to have a ‘bonfire’ too if you need one, they are so important and life giving. A recent email paragraph from a friend said it well.

• We live in such an imperfect world and we are such imperfect people that it is no wonder we drag our weirdness into situations. When it seems impossible or unfruitful to attempt to unscramble the complexities of life I have learned the peace and profit of turning it over to our Lord and keeping focused on the joy of all that lies ahead with malice toward none.

Isn’t that an excellent word? Even as closets and garages need seasonal cleanouts so do our hearts from hurts and disappointments. I intend to ask the Lord what needs to go on the bonfire so I can keep focused on the joy ahead with malice toward none. Does anything need to go on your bonfire?

Blessings,

The Basin and the Towel

Attracting Grace

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." James 4:6 NASB

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. 1 Peter 5:5-6 NASB

We have not one but two Scriptures in the New Testament to let us know the value of humility and the consequences of pride. I started genuinely asking God to show me how to walk in greater humility. After several weeks I told my husband, “A large part of humility must entail understanding what is none of my business.” I would be going about my day and find myself wondering why a person was doing this or that. For instance a friend was in a financial pinch and yet owned a horse. My internal dialogue was mulling over why in the world they didn’t sell it because surely that wasn’t a priority. They never seemed to do anything with the horse other than feed it. As clear as a bell, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “That’s really none of your business.” It wasn’t. They hadn’t asked me for my great wisdom, and I certainly didn’t have enough information to be forming an opinion on what they should do. My concern was good, but needed to be straightened out. God showed me that pride sits on its perch and judges. Humility gets on its knees and prays.

I need to be reminded of this daily. Do you?

MY PRAYER: Lord, you clothed yourself with humility. You came to serve and to save not to judge. John 12:47 Help me to get off pride’s perch and down on my knees. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MY CONFESSION: You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble. I choose grace. I stand on Your Word!