“…know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39 ESV
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NIV
Wow, what a week! I’ve been “doing the thang” (read in Beth Moore’s lovely Texas drawl) for several days. You know, the decorating, handing out candy canes at work, and I’ve even gone so far as to wear reindeer antlers on my head in an attempt to ‘feel festive’.
The smiles on children’s faces have brought a smile to my own. The antlers are truly a conversation piece. The other day I heard a middle schooler call out, “It’s a reindeer on the loose!” He caused a chuckle to bubble up from the inside out.
And then again, the holidays can be overwhelmingly hard for so many people. Their rock-hard walls are cracking and all the awful is leaking out – at times spewing. It’s my job. I must uphold the standards, the policies and guidelines I’ve been given to successfully fulfill my duties. Lately, it seems compliance with rules is rubbing against the grain of people already stretched and overwhelmed beyond their capacity to comply.
I sat at my post yesterday and took it all. After so many arrows of accusation landed on my brain and my heart, a tear began to trickle down the side of my nose. Soon others dripped off my chin. She, several she’s and he’s, just wouldn’t stop. Finally, I pulled antlers off because there’s just no point to silliness in the midst of the battle for peace.
And I thought about Jesus. The One and Only Son of God, Who took it all. He stood silently as all the sin and hatred and ugly flew in His face, assaulted His senses, and broke His heart. Yet, He spoke only words of forgiveness. Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
Father, write Jesus’ prayer in my heart today. And when my heart cracks may the only trickle be of Living Water. May I stay silent except to speak life and love and hope in the One and Only, Jesus, Who is able.
This post is written in participation with the Five-minute Friday community of beautiful faith writers. The idea behind Five-minute Friday is this:
I set my timer for 5 minutes and then write prayerfully as Holy Spirit leads me regarding the particular word prompt. Today’s word prompt from Kate Motaung is {only}.
Hi Lisa. Great post. So thankful to God for peace in the throes of all the work that demands our attention. “May I stay silent except to speak life and love and hope in the One and Only, Jesus, Who is able.”
So sorry for the hard you’re living through, Lisa. You’re an inspiration in holding to your faith.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/12/your-dying-spouse-417-caregivers.html
Andrew, me too you! I’m sorry for the hard stuff you’re living through. You inspire me every time I realize you have taken time to post and taken even more time to read our posts and even more precious time to comment and encourage us to persevere! I’m humbled you would spend some of your time here! Journey on warrior for Jesus…journey on…
“And when my heart cracks may the only trickle be of living water.” Wow! Lisa, your words very clearly glorify “only the one and only Jesus”. And I love your antlers!🦌🦌🦌
Hi Julie, Thank you for liking my antlers! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face knowing you’re on the journey with me. I appreciate you spending some of your most precious time here with me. Bless you, friend…together, eyes on Jesus… we’re shining!
It is hard when people’s hurt and anger is directed towards us when it’s not our fault, but it’s definitely reassuring to know that Jesus understands. I love your prayer- staying silent except to speak life, love and hope in Jesus can make a huge difference.
My job has been one of the best tools for scraping selfish pride from my soul. I’m not nearly refined, but on my way. I’m grateful tears come when things like this happen because it’s evidence my heart has been tenderized and softened. Bless you, Lesley, for spending some of your valuable time here with me. Eyes on Jesus, friend… you’re Shining!
All wrapped up in my own day I didn’t notice. 😒oh Lord give me “spirit eyes” to sense-and see what’s happening around me. Refresh Lisa for this new day.
My only Christmas gift list includes compassion and mercy.
Ruth
With joy and peace in believing…
Hey, my dear friend, Ruth! Thank you for being the brightest spot in my day. Thank you for bringing hot soup to warm me up from the inside out and thank you for bringing your grandchildren to visit! How precious!! I love you!!
Thank you for always pointing us to Jesus. I have been so blessed in following your blog. May God bless you for sowing in the Spirit, for not laying treasures up for yourself upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but instead laying up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. May your kind response soften the hearts of those around you and uplift them in their struggles and may you be blessed in the process. May God give you strength and bring encouragement your way each day as the criticisms hit.
Thanks, Anna! Thank you for your prayer and for your tender words of encouragement. Your words are an oil of healing to a wounded heart. I’m grateful tears come these days rather than the harsh words of old, my attempt in the past to defend myself. Gratefully, I’m learning to keep my tongue quiet and pray instead. Thank you for spending some of your precious time here with me. I bless you friend with a feast of JOY in the presence of JESUS. Eyes on Him… you’re Shining!
Hi Lisa. Stopping by from #fmf. I’m sorry for the hurt your feeling. May God use the light in you to shine his grace on others and may you feel his love today.
Hi Debby. I look forward to reading your post soon. Thank you for spending some of your precious time here with me. Eyes on Jesus, friend… you’re shining!!