Look in the Mirror at God's Marvelous Works!

Just a little over two years ago, our Stella was born so very premature and our Lucy was delivered into heaven. Such precious twins, I cannot wait to see them united in heaven. About that same time our daughter’s friend from elementary school experienced the same thing – one twin being born premature and the other sent to heaven. We’ve marveled at the circumstances of two friends being so close alike.  Recently little Luke and little Stella got to meet face to face. Two miracles from God, both growing and changing and becoming all that God has planned for them.

Each mother could concentrate on the loss of one of their babies. It’s hard for sure. They could also concentrate on the troubles they went through getting to survival with the ones who lived. They could replay over and over the days and nights in hospital waiting rooms, at the incubator, the doctors’ visits and the problems.  They could look at what they’ve been through.  They could live in fear and dread the rest of their lives.

Where does God want us to look? At the circumstances? At the problems? At the trials? We can. We can concentrate so completely on the right now that we won’t see the whole picture changing bit by bit before our very eyes.

Instead, God wants us to look to Him as He reminds us that He is the author and finisher of our faith and of the faith of our children as well. He who caused a less than two pound infant to overcome is also the One who will cause us to overcome! No, everything doesn’t work out perfectly in our eyes, but we can count on God who promises that All Things Work Together for Good.

If you need a reminder of the goodness of God and the overwhelming victory He gives us, look at Stella and her friend Luke. Look in the mirror. You are no accident and no mistake. You were not born too early or born too late. You haven’t missed your call. You haven’t gone overboard. You aren’t beyond hope, beyond redemption or beyond grace.

Oh beloved, the mirror of God’s Word never lies. But you must learn to see yourself the way God sees you so that you can live in love, joy and peace no matter what. Don’t look away from His mirror to the world’s standards or those of people who don’t believe God. Instead keep your eyes on Jesus, keep your heart focused on His Word and watch as bit by bit your perfect life in Christ unfolds!

God loves you, just the way you are and He’s for you, even in your human imperfections, so jump for joy and live for Him with your whole heart for your whole life!

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

I Corinthians 13:12  Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Romans 3:22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Isaiah 64:8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

Psalm 100:3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Give the Gift of Thanksgiving Today!

Looking back over the years to family Thanksgivings past, I laugh as I remember fondly even those things that irritated me so as a young person. Take the men in the family. They would curse and fight and beat the table in front of the tv as their favorite and not so favorite teams duked it out.  We “women” would relegate ourselves to the king sized bed in mother’s room to visit and laugh and carry on. How I would love to hear my Daddy and Uncle Bill arguing about football!

We are fortunate to be able to celebrate with a table full of faith, food, family and more. Reminiscing is very much a part of this special holiday, but we also want to make new memories. The chill of the morning, the colors of the leaves and the knowledge that we are blessed beyond measure keeps us hopeful, watchful and grateful.

But this Thanksgiving I am especially thankful.  For prayers not answered in my way or my timing. Every prayer I ever prayed just didn’t line up with God’s will. In fact some prayers were downright self-centered. But God, in His absolute incredible mercy knew best and still does. Thank you Lord. For unfulfilled wishes. Out of our own hurts and angers we often wish for things that aren’t from God’s heart. Oh God You are so protective, so forgiving so kind. Thank you Lord. For heaven’s gain and my loss. We mourn for loved ones long gone and just gone. But would you ask any one of them to leave Heaven’s splendor? God you are so beautiful. Your creative Power has given us hope for tomorrow, hope beyond the tomb, the stone, the grave. Thank you Lord.

If circumstances were the reason for thanksgiving then we’d be most poverty stricken. Some of you are hurting, some of you are healing, some of you are lonely, some of you are missing loved ones. Some of you are being held captive by hurts, animosity, fear and more. But for the grace of God you may have nothing to give thanks for…and yet…when we really get down to it, Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart that transcends our days here on earth.

Oh beloved, this day is your day to give Thanks to the One Who is worthy of all praise! He knew you before you were formed, He knows everything about you both the good and the not so good, He has all your days taken care of. He knows your hurts, your whispered prayers, your hearts’ desires and your fears. He has brought you to this day, a day of thanksgiving, because He has a purpose for you and that purpose begins and ends in Him! He is full of astonishing love for you. He is full of glorious care and creative power for you to live by! Run to His Book of Thankfulness and read – all His promises, all His love, all His care, all His mercy, all His forgiveness, all His power and more is there just for you! You are blessed beyond measure because the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord says so! As you sit at your table today, don’t forget to drink a cup of thankfulness in His blessed and holy Name! Thank Him today! Thank Him for He is Worthy of your thanksgiving!

1 Chronicles 16:8  Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done.

Ephesians 5:20  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits. (NAS)

Psalm 16:7  I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalm 28:7  The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 116:17  I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

Revelation 7:12  They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”