Journal Ps 119:78-90 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “Your hands have made and fashioned me…” (Ps 119:73a)
Observation: While our nation has made a focus on the unborn, have I stopped and marveled at the “me” God has fashioned with his hands?
Analysis: Babies, children of all ages can stop me in my tracks. I adore these little people of emerging sin that need a Savior.
I want them to see the Light in my eyes, soothing words that somehow testify of the Creator of all reaching out to them, implanting by the Spirit in faith a memory that God may (by his mercy) will bring to term at a time of His choosing.
Hardly any of these little children can articulate a response besides hiding and peeking out from their parent’s embrace or displaying a wide smile and giggle or being lost in the thought of “what is this strange man doing?”
This has been my way for decades since God has blessed me with children of my own.
It occurs to me, now that I am in the latter part of expected life, that I am not as wide-eyed, marveling and astounded at my own life—the creation of God that is me.
All my aches and pains (and I am feeling them today after Ian), the way I am that needs the grace of medicine, the crunch and grind of arthritis in my neck and hands—my body is a marvelous tale of the Creator, and a testimony of the effects of Man’s Sin; Sin that needs atoned for.
My body reminds me I need a Savior every morning I awake.
Paul wrote the following to the church at Thessalonica:
“Rejoice always,
Pray without ceasing,
Give thanks IN ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes 5:16-18
Prayer: Father, now what? I can’t help but think that there is something I should expect as a result of “giving thanks.” However, I know and am confident that this is a stepping stone to something more.
Help me to focus only on what you call/instruct me to do, not expecting anything but perhaps a feeling of your good pleasure rippling through my bones.
Help me to preach the Gospel to others the way I relate to children. Help me to treat children as a bit older than they are—they can relate to the Gospel no matter how old.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes