God In Our Grittiness

I never thought the moment I stepped through the front door of 825 Savage Drive my life would be changed. The house needed a lot of work; a lot more than we had ever realized. The bathroom had a thin layer of two-week-abandonment filth, the carpets had a few rather questionable stains, and the refrigerator was enveloped with hardened spills; and we were the lucky ones who were left to scour it all away. My housemate, Kristin and I moved into our rental home in the scorching heat of a Texas July. Our cars were packed with everything we owned. Progressively, we managed to carry it all into our house and to their temporary resting places. Kristin set up an air mattress for herself in the living room and I was quick to follow. I pulled out my eight-dollar air mattress I bought a few days earlier from Target, which oddly resembled a swimming pool raft. We laid them side-by-side. I grabbed the air pump and swiftly reached for the mattress. I paused. The plug to the air mattress was unaccounted for. Great! I now had to sleep on the foul-smelling carpet. When the day of cleaning finally settled down, we grabbed a movie and camped out on Kristin’s bed, completely happy. It was in that moment I finally understood God’s love for us when we are broken and unclean. We often times only show the cleanliness of our lives and resist letting the Lord get down to the grittiness because we are afraid of the work we will have to do. Instead of trusting the Lord with our mess, we avoid it and are dishonest with ourselves, denying our true reliance on Him. He is joyful when it comes to our brokenness. He desires to wash us clean and give us new life, we just have to be willing to endure the honesty, pain, and trust it takes to get there.

I Love Snow!

"Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!"

Dallas had a white Christmas this year! I've wished for a Christmas like this for 21 years and it has finally come! Everything seems so much happier when the snow falls: people are excited, the world is brighter. This snow, although not sticking, has been a reminder of His grace and love. I walked around outside and let it hit my skin and joy overwhelmed my heart. I think of how beautiful snow is and I'm reminded of how beautiful He has made us and our brothers and sisters. Snow makes me unbelievably cheerful and happy, but it doesn't compare to the joy found in the Lord. Snow is peaceful, refreshing, and lovely; all things the Lord is to me, yet He is so much more than that! Praise be to God that He would wash us with grace, love, and peace and call us HIS!

My heart desires to see snow-covered mountains when I wake, when I spend time with Him, and when I am around the ones I love. I remember one morning in Colorado at a Ski Resort when I sat outside and stared at His work, and I remember how at peace I was and how much love filled my heart! I picture the way the world looked around me, and I am in awe! The peaceful, refreshing, and lovely snow laid gently upon the mighty and strong mountains... what a beautiful reflection of our Lord! I saw a glimpse of Him that day and had the joy of being able to sit, be still, and enjoy His presence! I can't wait for many more days like this!

I pray as you continue to be surrounded by His beauty, it overwhelms you and moves you and fills you with joy!