"As believers in Christ, we shouldn’t have to be forced or tricked into doing what’s right. In fact, obedience can be drained of its significance if we obey only out of obligation or duty. Our desire should be to do what is pleasing to our Lord because we love Him. Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me" (John 14:21). We should "make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him" (2 Cor. 5:9).
Let’s do what’s right out of a heart of gratitude for His grace to us."
The above was part of my devotional today from Our Daily Bread. Is it just my warped brain, or does God seem to have a theme going on here just for me?!? lol Thank You Jesus for the reminder that I shouldn't begrudgingly discipline myself. This should be an experience I can take joy in because even if it's hard, I know it's what God wants!
Taking joy in something hard is not a foreign concept to me. The fall of 2005, I had a miscarriage. We couldn't hear a heartbeat at the 12 week appointment, so scheduled an ultrasound later that afternoon. The baby had been dead for a few weeks already. Previous to that, during the all-day sickness uncommon to my previous pregnancy, Dawn had challenged me to praise God even in the midst of being sick. I literally praised God on that ultrasound table as that sinking sick feeling settled in. I laid there with a painfully full bladder, in the dark, with my husband at my side trying to reign our squirmy toddler in his lap. And I praised the Lord. I can't take credit for it, though I do believe I chose the thought. But it was definitely not FROM ME.
Through silent tears on the way home, the reality really rang clear. But the weird thing was that I NEVER really grieved. I allowed myself plenty of time, I thought about it, I prayed about it, Michael and I and friends talked about it. But I never felt devastation I know many experience. It has been perplexing to me, and sometimes I wonder if I am dysfunctional. But I always come back to God is good. His ways are good. His will is good. May the Name of the Lord be praised! The theme of praise had been consistent around that time, and I took great solace in this passage, especially the unfamiliar end to the familiar 20th verse.
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
And it was. I praised the Lord all the time. I had an overwhelming peace and actually felt joy. Friends and family rallied around me and the Lord showed His Love in great measure. Miraculously, I was delivered OUT OF the pain of the whole experience... How could I not be smitten with a God like that?!?
Lord, I thank you for answering my prayers this morning, as I stumbled out the door, late for MOPS, forgetting things, making a stop with 2 children in the car, calling Michael to email me stuff I left on the desk. Thank you for ironing out all those details and for giving me blessings over and above just the necessities. Thank you for the sweet notes you leave me in my devotionals. I know you wrote them just for me :). Thank you for my husband, son, and daughter who are always showering me with love and teaching me things I need to learn. Thank you for a husband I can respect, admire, and trust. Thank you for girl friends I can depend on, talk to candidly, and who lift me up on a day to day basis. Thank you for a church my family looks forward to attending... Thank you most of all for Your Son who loved me so much he gave His life. I know you must've felt grief, but also great peace and joy as you remembered the multitude of children his death would allow to come into your Kingdom and dine with You for eternity. When you dine, do you put your mighty elbows on the table? Do you get spinach in your teeth? Do you eat your pie a la mode? Do you like a good nap after supper? I can't wait to find out!
.JPG)
