Monday, February 1, 2010

Losing your sparkle?

This isn't the post I had in mind for Strawberry Roan today but considering the challenges being faced by my friends, and the challenges ahead for my family it seems to be the right one for now.


What happens when you feel like your world is crumbling around you?  The stress, the not-so-nice surprises, the realization that what you thought was true and solid was nothing but shifting sand...and it can go on.  A broken heart, a knee needing to be replaced, a heart longing for what the mind cannot put into words.  


When I've been struggling with my own doubts as I pray for those I care about and love, and those I'll never meet this side of heaven, I look for verses and quotes to help me find some focus.


With the most special timing, Bethany posted this word art last night as I chatted with a friend.  



How often do we let the cares of the day tarnish our sparkle, and wear down our shine?
How often do we let the worry and fear take away our joy and laughter?
How can we look forward to the next day if we hold on to the remains of today?

God doesn't want His children not to have love, laughter and joy amid the toils of their day.  His birds cheerily sing His praises even when they are huddled in the rain or fluffed up against the cold.  Why shouldn't we, His children, also remember that by Grace we are saved and that the greatest of faith, hope and love is love?

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love 1 Corinthians 13:13

Faith in tomorrow, faith in the next step before us that we cannot see, faith that the baby that grows or the tears that fall are in accordance to His will and not our own.

Hope in the night, that the shining stars and silvery moon will lead into the light of day.  Hope that the fears, tears will give way to sparkly laughter and infectious joy.

Love that saved us, love that redeemed us, love that forgave us all our sins - now and forever.  Love that is the greatest because without love we cannot have faith. Without love we cannot have hope.  Hope and Faith cannot grow in ground that is not watered by love, and the Greatest Love comes from God.  

We are created, wonderful and amazing, by His hand.  When you feel like you've lost your sparkle, that your shine is tarnished under the grime of the day remember this: 

"What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Luke 12:6-7

You, right now, in your bathrobe, bad hair, hiding under your bed, sitting in a bus shelter, on your way to school or out to do chores, you RIGHT NOW, are not forgotten by God.  You, right now, are loved and beloved by God, and prayed for by your brothers and sisters in Christ.  You, right now, are a precious child, a creation formed by a Divine Hand.  Dirty, grubby, jeweled and groomed, small and brave, big and secretly terrified, running fast from life or stopped and on your knees - no matter where you are at you are loved.  

Your shine is waiting for you to use some prayer polish and some faith gloss to bring it back to the surface.  

"Do NOT be AFRAID; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Luke 12:7 

Think about that, you are not to be afraid, don't let fear steal your shine and your light.  Don't let worry dull your sparkle. Rest in faith, be assured by grace and let your love grow.

Can we pray together?  You can email me if you wish rather than leave a comment, I would be honoured to pray with you.

Bright blessings, always and in all ways...