Friday, October 17, 2008

His Grace Covers Me

     The emotions are lying under the surface.  I feel them.  I know they are making their way up to exposure.  It's been an enduring week.  Things are swirling around in the atmosphere of our lives here.  My husband's had some meetings this week with people in our church body.  I've had conversations with hurting people.  My dad was diagnosed yesterday with an incurable lung disease. 


     People I care about are struggling in deep places in their lives.  I feel the weight of the enduring days on this earth, in my own life and in the lives of those around me.   Things are not what they were meant to be.  We have come so far from the Garden of Eden and the perfect life that He envisioned for us.  This is not what He wanted it to be.  None of these things were in His original picture.  Yet it's where life has taken us.


     I ache for those who are hurting.  I know He aches too.  He is allowing me to feel a little more of His heart today.  It is the fellowship of His suffering that Philippians 3:10 talks of.  I can't fix any of the things I've seen this week.  I hurt with those who are hurting.  How He must ache for those who are wrestling with this world.  Even still I know, with His grace, He covers it all.  

     

     Graham Cooke once spoke these words;  "There are no longer good days and bad days.  There are only days of grace.  Some days you are given the grace to enjoy what is going on and other days you are given the grace to endure."


      I look around and see enduring days in the lives of people around me.  I see it many days in my own life. Marriages are falling apart, teenagers are hurting, sickness invades homes, financial strain is upon many. Some days it takes all there is within me to hang on and walk in hope.   


     I remember when my children were young.   I would go to tuck them into their beds before retiring to my own. Often their covers had been thrown off exposing their bodies to the chill of the night.  They were oblivious to the fact. With comfort and care, I would spread their blankets back over them. Tucking them into the warmth, tenderly kissing their little cheeks, I would whisper into their ears, "I love you."  They lay there unconscious to my presence. Though they were unaware, still I was there.


     As I feel and see the uncertainties of life surrounding me and the people I love, I think of His grace that blankets us all. He envelops us as we wrestle with the thorns and thickets of this life. He comes even when we are unaware and gathers us in under His grace.  He tenderly kisses our cheeks and whispers, "I love you". He will never leave us or forsake us.  He is ever present. With His grace He covers you, me, everything.


     We don't know the prognosis of my dad's illness at this moment. I feel Papa God's arms enfolding me as I wait.  HE is my comfort.  He blankets me with His presence and tucks me away in Him.  He IS the God of all comfort.  No longer are there good days or bad days.  There are only days of grace and grace covers everything.


     What about you?  What days of grace are you seeing; enduring days or enjoying days?  Can you see His grace surrounding you?  Even when you are unaware, He's still there tucking you into Him. Feel the warmth as He surrounds you with Himself.  Know that He leans in close, kisses your cheek and tells you once more of how deeply you are loved. 


    "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  II Corinthians 12:9


Jewelz

©copyrighted:  2008 Julie L. Todd

22 comments:

Denise said... Reply to comment

Sweetie, I am so saddened by this news about your dad. Please know that I will be lifting you, and your dad up in my prayers. God loves you so much, He will carry you through this time. please take care.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said... Reply to comment

Julie:

This was so beautiful. I am so sorry to hear about your dad and feel peace for you as I know you are resting in the arms of your heavenly Papa.

Kimberly said... Reply to comment

Julie,
You are such a treasure! Thank you for showing us your heart and the heart of our Father. You write about Him with such tenderness...a relationship formed from a heart given over to Him fully.

I am so sorry about your father, but so glad your hope is in the Lord. I will be praying for him and for you.

And thank you for your comment. You always know just what to say!

Love you,
K

Vicki said... Reply to comment

Your post stirs my heart. Yes, these are days of grace - well said.

I'll be praying for you and your dad.

I received news yesterday that a dear friend was killed instantly, just darting across the road on foot. Even in the shock of the news I'm glad she can look full into His wonderful face...at last. He's our Hope and Peace.

hugs,
Vicki

Sarah said... Reply to comment

Without question, His mercy and goodness follow us every day of our lives...every day of grace. They are present and we have only to believe and rest in Him...I love your heart.
S

Joyful said... Reply to comment

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

Beth Moore writes, "The implication of this verse is that a place of safety - a certain level of immunity from evil onslaughts - exists for those who choose to dwell there."

Life sometimes involves enduring so much more than embracing. I love your heart in this post.

Praying that you will continue to bend under the sheltering wing of the Most High today and that you will know His protective love that covers you too. Rest in that secret place.

Love & prayers,
Joy

Gretchen said... Reply to comment

2 Samuel 22:31-33 (NIV)
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

As I may have shared before, this verse has been so grace-giving to me lately.

Oh, friend. I hurt with you. Please keep us posted about your dad. Find comfort in Abba, I pray.

Thank you for sharing Him with us, even in the midst of your pain. (((hugs)))

Pinkshoelady said... Reply to comment

Hi Julie,
It is nice to meet you too.
Thanks for visiting me this morning. I hope you will come back sometime. I know I will be back to visit you. Wow! You are a great writer.

Your passion for God really shines through.

I am leaving encouraged and in more focus to the One who covers me.

I will be praying for you and your family, especially your dad.

A new friend
Pamela

Tea with Tiffany said... Reply to comment

Julie,

In your emotions that lie just under the surface what raises up is GOD's voice, the truth, grace, and beauty. I feel your heart's pain with your dad and I am sorry. Please know I will be praying for healing and comfort and peace.

You are a voice for Jesus. I love your heart for Him. And you are a real gift to all who read your words, hear your words and sit with you. Thank you for pouring out grace upon the blogosphere. May the Lord continue to bless the work of your hands.

Love you, friend,
Tiffany

~j~ said... Reply to comment

hoping you find comfort in knowing that HE knows the plans HE has for you...continue to draw close to the Lord during this time Julie, you are well loved and being prayed for...
xo
julia

Connie Barris said... Reply to comment

Your words are just beautiful... very well said...

I am so sorry about your dad... oh it so brings up a flood of emotions as I remember a year ago hearing the same words...

I am here for you and will walk right beside you to comfort you in any way I can.. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

you are in my prayers...

We still have the crackel Barrell to meet for lunch or breakfast...

love you
Connie

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

Julie,

Yes, I can see God's grace surrounding me always...on the enjoying days, and on the enduring days. What would we do without His GRACE?!?

My heart is saddened about your dad. I pray for the Lord to pour out His healing power all over your father. May you rest in your Papa's arms during this difficult time.

Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord, and for the beautiful way you share His heart with others!

Love you!
Amy

Shanda said... Reply to comment

I know how hard it can be to hurt with people and not be able to fix a thing... but I believe that being able to hurt with someone else is sometimes more healing than all the encouragement in the world.

"Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

I'm sorry about your Dad. May you both find comfort in the Lord, today.

your friend,
shanda

mer@lifeat7000feet said... Reply to comment

Oh, Julie, I'm so sorry about your dad.

So many people around us are hurting right now too...and I'd say these are enduring days. Thank you for your words, friend.

Marsha said... Reply to comment

Julie, Your words have poured like a healing balm over my heart and the heart of others reading this inspired post.

I'm so sorry for all the hurts and struggles, especially your Father. I'm sure you have more difficult days and weeks ahead. But you know the secret. You know His grace is sufficient in any circumstance.

Thank you dear one for this post.

PS How are Hannah's plans coming alone? Has she left for England yet?

Amy said... Reply to comment

Julie, I am sorry to hear about your dad. I will be praying for you and your family. Grace is the most amazing thing in the world. God help us to cling to Him for the things that we need and He supplies grace for each moment. Blessings.

Laura said... Reply to comment

Oh, Julie, your father will definitely be in my prayers. You inspire me so much, my friend. Your graciousness speaks of His hands all over you. I love the picture of Papa covering us up in the night with His grace, just as you did your children. I have a not-so-little one who always wrestles out of his covers in his sleep too. I will never be able to tuck him back in again without thinking of our Heavenly Father's grace covering us.
I love you, dear friend, and so long for that day when we can see each other in person. I just know God has that in His plans for us!
Praying...

Michelle Riggs said... Reply to comment

Your post was beautifully written. I pray for you and your Dad, as well as the others you know who are hurting.

Thank you for praying for my 3 year old daughter.

http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/

Lelia Chealey said... Reply to comment

Oh my dear friend. In the midst of your pain you are encouraging us. So like Jesus.
I will be praying for your Dad. Please email me & tell me how you'd like specific prayer for him. Is he saved? I've worked in hospice & home health for 17 years next month and it's funny how you just assume people want prayer for healing and sometimes that's not the case. Not that anyone wants someone to leave them, but sometimes the prayer is one for salvation or peace or reconcilation or health restored. Just depends, so I ask you dear friend...how can I pray? You've got my email. xoxo

Thank you for the sweetest post I've read in quite some time; I'm just sorry of what spurred your heart to share this with us.
You know I love you,
Lelia

Kara With a K said... Reply to comment

Hi Julie,

What a beautiful, grace-filled post, you are a gifted writer. I just "met" you, but I want to say I am sorry to hear about your father and I have prayed and will continue to pray.

You asked about enduring or enjoying days. I thought about it and I think that I have been in enduring days but I really see the enjoying days on the horizon, coming my way. Praise the Lord!

Thanks for visiting my blog. To answer your question about Practicing the Presence it is Brother Lawrence's (and the version I have also has Frank Laubach too). It is a wonderful book that I have to digest in tiny little morsels, but each one is so wonderful. Just the idea of walking conscious of God's presence all day long is at once overwhelming and comforting. Give the book a try, I'd love to discuss it further with you.

And I will be back here often.

Tracy said... Reply to comment

Julie,
So very sorry to hear the news about your Dad. If you would, please keep us posted about his condition.

You certainly have a heaping load of difficulties right now. I love that you're choosing to rest in His awesome and comforting love. (Not always easy!) Like that old contemporary Christian song used to say, "Life is Hard...but God is good." So true.

What an incredibly comforting thought, that like a parent, Papa covers us with His grace. Continue to nestle in close to Him. Thank you for sharing this glimpse of your heart.

Blessings,
Tracy

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
~ Isaiah 26:3

Kimberly said... Reply to comment

Hey, Julie,
Just checking in. Thinking about you. Wondering how your dad is doing.

Love you. Appreciate you. Praying for you.
K