Captivating - Ch. 6

Yes, I'm struggling along - trying to keep up with myself... and losing the battle. I've read through Ch.8 so keep reading everyone!


Okay. We're still trudging through, when along comes Ch. 6 "Healing the Wound."

Let me tell you - I know all about this one! I'm a survivor, baby! Jesus has healed my broken heart - and broke my spirit further with His Grace. He took me from a world where I thought I had everything figured out, and ripped it all away until there was just me, and just Him - and I had to look at the core of who I really was, and finally ask Him who he wanted me to be.

You know how in the 23rd Psalm, people LOVE to proclaim the great power of God's healing and helpful touch. You can hear it in their voices when they're reciting it- but when they get to that part about the "valley of the shadow of death" is when you can see who among them has BEEN in the valley and has cried out to God "Why have you forsaken me?" - only to know that he is right there beside us - sometimes even carrying us- the whole way!!! This brokenness- this living in the wilderness off of the land, is Grace too!!

I had the opportunity to hear an incredible sermon on this very topic: "The Other Side of Grace." And for some of you, you may know exactly what I'm talking about. For others, the concept of God's wrath, anger, and pride about us may seem really foreign. I'm no prophetic speaker, so let me let you hear this same sermon. Take 20 minutes while you're folding laundry and just listen. http://www.valleydale.org/templates/cusvalleydalernd/details.asp?id=32803&PID=295764&Style=#Smith (then click on "The Other Side of Grace")

I've been really blessed that when I was in the Valley - God brought me friends to sit on the side of the road with me (like Job) and just be with me. I had so many opportunities for self-discovery and realized that with God I was truly happy like never ever before. But it's a daily walk with Him, not just those glorious mountaintop experiences. And that's why I'm grateful for the opportune with you sisters, in whatever wild media format we may find ourselves in. I get such great insight (and can commiserate) with your experiences and musings on your blogs, and I don't tell you enough.

And as much as I criticize this book for its colloquialisms, literary and theatrical references- there was one part that hit home in the middle of page 107:
There is a core part of our tender hearts that was made for Daddy. Made for his strong and tender love. That part is still there, and longing. Open it to Jesus and to your Father God. Ask Him to come and love you there. Meet you there. We've all tried so hard to find the fufillment of this love in other people, and it never, ever works. Let us give this treasure back to the One who can love us best.
Amen.