Friday, April 25, 2014

A different kind of randomness



My head is filled with thoughts I want to share with you. They are random thoughts and a part of me wonders why I feel they are worthy of sharing. Do you ever wish you had someone who captured them for you as they came? They sound much better as they twirl around in my head. I hope my attempt to share them reveals my heart.

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Easter Sunday “Resurrection Sunday” has come and gone. I find myself asking, Now what? How do I respond to His death and resurrection?

I walked into church on Easter Sunday with a heavy heart for I walked in without my husband beside me. My heart hurt as I watched church friends count out the number of seats needed to cover the family members joining them. 

I came to church alone. No family to join me. I cried silently in my seat.

Then a young man sat beside me. He asked my name. After telling him my name, with a big smile he replied, “Hey, our names rhyme. My name is Seth.” When it came time for official church greetings I turned towards Seth and he opened up his arms and gave me a hug. His hug touched my heart deeply. 

Earlier in the morning I received an email from a writing friend. At a church service she attended the night before they were singing “He overcomes” and she wrote to tell me, “Ánd the Lord brought you to mind as I was standing their singing – and I prayed for you, Beth, because you will overcome! Strongholds will be broken.”

I woke on Monday morning to an email from a writing friend who discovered we may only live a few towns apart. She asked, “Would you be interested in meeting sometime?” I responded with a resounding YES.

On Wednesday a new writing friend reached out to say, “I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your continued encouragement through your comments on my blog!”

Then a friend nominated me for a blogging award and I won another friend's book giveaway. The book just happens to be titled Chasing God.

I see God’s hand so clearly in each act of kindness. He used friends to encourage my heart and reveal His love for me just when He knew I needed it most. It was Him saying, “Beth, I see you. I am with you. You are never alone.

I opened up to the Book of Ephesians this morning. The book takes my breath away every time I read. His glorious grace and love for us is revealed so vividly throughout the pages. Do I walk in a manner worthy of such love? A love so graciously lavished upon me from Easter morning to right now. 

He placed on my heart recently to begin a new writing series. He tugged at my heart to put love in action. It’s been only a week since I made the commitment to love my husband with God’s kind of love. But when we choose to chase after God’s kind of love something powerful happens. I’m not sure how to explain it yet, but the problem with my heart . . . He’s transforming . . . He’s healing.

How do I respond to such grace?

I remember how I have doubted Him and believed the lies of the enemy instead: You are not pretty enough. You are not thin enough. You are not smart enough. You are unworthy. You are not enough. Those thoughts lead me to destructive behaviors.

Bob Goff shared shortly after Easter, “Every time we believe the lie that we're who we used to be, we roll the stone back into place like nothing happened.”

Do I really want to roll the stone back? Is this how I choose to respond to His grace?

What amazes me; He doesn't leave me in my moments of doubt. John the Baptist doubted. Read how Jesus responded in Matthew 11. Jesus didn't turn His back on him. Instead, He sends John’s disciples back to him with a message to answer his doubts and then says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

If I believe Jesus is who He says He is, how do I respond? My only response should be to get on my hands and knees and say, I am yours. With all of my heart I am yours. Make me anew.

And He does make all things new.

So I join Paul in his prayer from Ephesians 3:16-19. I pray this prayer for you and for me. 

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

34 comments :

  1. God is telling you through others, "I see you and I love you!" :)

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    1. I always enjoy seeing you here, Elizabeth. I'm grateful for your friendship. xoxoxo

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  2. I tried to leave a comment and then it disappeared. Trying again. God continually uses others to encourage our hearts, just when we need it the most. He is using those in your life to remind you that He is with you and will remember you. I wish we could sit together and share a cup of coffee, a few tears and lots of laughter and joy! Hugs!

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    1. Oh, how I wish the same, Barbie. But I know we will one day soon. Love you.

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  3. Praying for you friend…that God would show you an extra measure of love and comfort this weekend!! {{hugs}}

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  4. Beth - It has continued to amaze me the way in which God works in our lives through other people. I am astounded by how He especially works through the online community bringing me to realize how He truly knows our hearts & discerns our thoughts. He will go to far lengths to speak to us letting us know we are never alone. Know that He loves you deeply!
    Much love to you,
    Joanne

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    1. It's amazing isn't it? I never expected to be so blessed by this online blogging world. God is good.
      Love you.
      xoxoxo

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  5. You are not alone, Beth. I had to smile because your question, 'NOW what?' was the title of the post I penned the morning after Easter. I'm glad to know that I am not alone in my thoughts. I so appreciate a kindred spirit or two along the path.

    Like you.

    Hugs, my friend ...

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    1. Me too, friend. And I like you too, LOTS.
      xoxoxo

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  6. Holy tears, friend, this is not random, this is not scattered, this is Holy Spirit infused & POWERFULLY beautiful! I cried as I read your words... I LOVE to hear what God is doing in your life & how He's opening doors for you & most of all how He is transforming your heart from broken to whole in Him. I love you & thank God for placing you in my life! Thank you for walking this journey with me! In Him & together we are never alone! xo

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    1. I just love you. What a blessings your friendship has been to me.
      xoxoxo

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  7. And there you have it.... tangible evidence that He does see and hear you. And sometimes "us humans" all we want is tangible evidence. Loved this little experiment in How Much Can He Show His Love to You. :-D

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    1. I am so glad you linked this. I was hoping you would.

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    2. I look forward to joining you again this Friday! :)

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  8. This is beautiful! You are not alone. Jana

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  9. Oh Beth, how lovely. There is a certain stomach-dropping feeling of turning ourselves over the Lord - for He does indeed carve out a *new* person - and some of the carving is hard!! But it is worth the work of art that He seeks to create - an image that reflects His face.

    Prayers for both you and I as we learn what JOY means in the moments when we are fighting the lies, struggling with the loneliness, and seeking what we are supposed to be at this stage in our lives.

    Trust Him, Beth, as I will. He is going to make all things beautiful...

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. I love that we are on this joy journey together, Sharon. And your comments here are always a blessing to me. xoxoxo

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  10. What a beautiful post! Love you sweet friend.

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  11. Oh, Beth, I related with you through each sentence of this lovely post. Thank you. Thank you so much for reminding me today that God sees me. That He is with me. That I am never alone. I love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3

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  12. Thank you Beth. He sees and loves. I pray your heart can continue to feel that each and every day.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lisa. It always makes me smile to see you here. xoxoxo

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  13. Hi Beth! So blessed that I could be a part of your walk to seeing how God is gifting and blessing you in your life. My heart just breaks for you, seeing you crying in your place on Easter... But you went, and you gave God everything, even your sadness. And he wants everything from you. He was so happy with you!
    On to the series he has put on your heart to write :)
    Ceil

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    1. Counting down the days, Ceil. I can't wait to meet you. Thank you so much for reaching out.
      xoxoxo

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  14. I love how your online friends reached out and encouraged you at a time when you needed it most. You know your random posts are my favorites!

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    1. You are so kind. Thank you, Amy. I'm glad you enjoy them.
      Much love.

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  15. Beautiful post. Your words are felt by every woman who reads this. O! To remember, WE ARE PREAPPROVED!

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    1. Preapproved indeed! Thank you for your encouragement, Susan.
      Blessings.

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  16. Isn't it beautiful to see how God lovingly connect the dots of our stories of to others. He knows how to send the right people along at the perfect time when we need them.

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    1. Indeed it is beautiful! God is so good. Thanks for stopping by, Wanda. XO

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Much love to you.