Here’s a verse that reminds me of the old “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy” skits on Saturday Night Live.
While reading Breaking Free this morning, we were asked to read John 11 verses 1 – 44. “Criminy,” I thought. “Is there time to read 44 verses?”
Yes, I know the ridiculousness of this question. I’m just being completely honest – I only had the amount of time that “Yo Gabba Gabba” was on, you know.
But of course, God being God, He did not waste this opportunity to reach me and I have now found one of my favorite passages in the Bible. So much of John 11 touched me in so many ways that if I tell you all about it now, this post could turn into a novella and while I know you to be kind and compassionate people, you may not want to read a novella while hopping around Word Filled Wednesday today.
It was these verses that almost knocked me off my chair because JJ and I have been talking alot lately about bringing things to the light and allowing God to do His work.
In other words, get out of our own way, already.
If we keep those things that we would rather not think about in the darkness, it is there they will fester and lead to more stuff that we would eventually just as soon forget. When something is brought to the light, the enemy is darn-near rendered powerless because then the real healing can begin.
It’s the absolute reason why I share so much of my own path – I want to exhibit how putting my past into the light and being authentic about it can be used for God’s glory. Because really…wow. He can do so much with so little.
We are having an unseasonably warm October in the midwest these days and I’m so not complaining. It’s beyond beautiful. The changing leaves glimmer with their brilliant hues as the sunlight streams through and we play at parks in our shorts as if it were June and not October.
Today we met friends at our favorite park and had a picnic lunch – it was exactly the kind of day that allowed me to be the kind of mother I always thought I would be before the reality of having three young babies made me realize that I only have 24 hours to work with.
Quality, not quantity, and today was quality.
Sawyer repeatedly went down the monstrous curly-slide and my friend and I kept laughing at his electric hair that stood on end after each go.
I shot this photo and was reminded of the John 11 verses that I read just this morning because if those little hairs were not standing up in the light, we would have missed them. If it were dark outside or if the sun had not been shining at that exact angle and moment, we might have lost the opportunity for a good giggle.
It made me think of the fact that it’s when we bring that stuff out into the light that God uses it for good in a way we least expect it. We can really see it and we can enjoy it, even it’s painful, because in all things, ALL THINGS, God works for the good of those who love Him.
What do you need to bring to the light and lay at the altar?
For more Word Filled Wednesday, please visit Internet Cafe Devotions!
AMEN.
:o)
Beautiful thoughts…and love that photo!!
I enjoyed your novella :P Love you heart, thanks for sharing Natalie…
God bless you and have a wonderful WFW!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Word filled Wednesday =-.
Love how you put this all together to leave a memory that will last for those who have read it. Have a wonderfully blessed WFW!
What a cute picture! We were just discussing Romans 8:28 this last week in Bible Study. All things really do work to the good. We just have to be open to the Light and let Him shine through us. Great post!
BTW, I’m going to Relevant too. Can’t wait to meet you there!
.-= Alicia The Snowflake´s last blog ..Choose to Rejoice =-.
This was so cute! A nice little bright spot on my travels through WFW. I like how you brought in the thoughts about light from that verse. Blessings to you!
.-= Maxine´s last blog ..Rescued =-.
Such a fantastic post.
.-= Denise´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday =-.
What do I still have hidden in the darkness? Judgmental thoughts come to mind first. And why do I judge? Perhaps because of my own insecurity, my own issues. And yet, if I deal with each judgmental thought as it comes, bringing it to light, I know God will be able to speak to the hurt places within myself.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Torn in Two =-.
Now THAT”s perspective! I LOVE it!
You know, I’m in the same study as you are and you’re honesty made me laugh because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at the lesson and thought, “can I do this in (fill in time)?? You are not alone and EVERY time, He reveals something that I’m so glad I stopped and took the time to hear!
Love it Nat! And I’m glad to see ya’ll are back among the living! :)
No worries….no rush…
hugs,
lori
I really love the part about being the kind of mother you always thought you would be before reality set in. I so know that feeling! Beautiful post.
.-= debbie´s last blog ..Politics and Shirtless Men =-.
LOVE that fun photo — it really made me smile!
Yes, bringing things to light, letting God use what little we have, refusing to let them fester any longer. It’s painful at first, I think, until we realize that by doing so, we’re finally FREE!
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..The Beauty in Dying =-.
Hello fellow giraffe tribe member! This is a great post! I love when God gives us a gem of a verse in the morning and teaches us more facets throughout the day.