Finding Sea Glass
Dear Friends,
Today while I was working in the garden and meditating on the words that I had read during my quiet time, a message started to come to me that I want to share with you.
Some beaches and hidden coves are treasure troves of gorgeous, sparkling glass that has endured years of being washed against the sand and rocks by powerful waves. Things that had been discarded and broken have become treasure. This beautiful glass is so sought after that in many places where it had been abundant in the past, it is now rarely found.
Each piece of sea glass is unique and beautiful. When a beach is covered with this treasure it is like a piece of art work made by God. Dale Chihuly is a glass artist who has a work called Persian Ceiling. The colors he used created a masterpiece like a weaving or painting of smooth, sparkling glass.
Because of Jesus and what He suffered in our place on the Cross we are remade. Each of us is like a piece of this glass, blue, red, green, golden or orange that has been made into a beautiful and precious jewel for His glory.
When the sun shines down on a beach and a piece of smooth, sparkling glass is discovered, the one who is seeking the treasure rejoices. Jesus rejoices when one of us realizes what He did for us and how much He loves us.
You are a jewel and precious to Him. He has called you to be His, a part of His masterpiece.
Romans 1:20
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."
The Storm and A Broken Pot
Dear Friends,
The rain was wonderful for the garden but the fierce wind had knocked a pretty painted flower pot off of the patio table. Although I was a bit disappointed that the pretty pot was broken, I was able to rescue the plant and put it in another pot and I could use the broken pot as an opportunity to write my blog!
I am reminded of a well known Winnie the Pooh story that has a lesson for children woven into it. It was Eeyore's birthday and Pooh had a pot of honey to give him for a gift and Piglet had a big, red balloon to give him. On the way to Eeyore's house Pooh snacked on all the honey and Piglet tripped and broke the balloon. Eeyore's response was to turn the empty honey pot into a "useful" pot to hold his birthday balloon.
Disappointments happen to all of us from time to time in different degrees. People can often disappoint us. How does God want us to respond to these situations?
I want to look in the Word of God and see how Jesus responded to the worst possible of disappointments. During the 3 years that Jesus was with the Apostles He spoke with them concerning His coming death and Resurrection. He wanted them to be prepared. In John 13 we read about the last Passover meal that Jesus was having with his closest friends. He goes around the table bathing their feet and drying them with a towel. This was a deliberate act of love toward them. In verse 14 He tells them to do the same for each other. In verse 21 we read, "Now Jesus was deeply troubled." He knew that one of these friends would betray Him, and that Peter would deny knowing Him 3 times. He was sitting with them and dipping His bread in the same bowl as Judas was. Reading on, after Judas had left, in John 14:27 Jesus says, "I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give so don't be troubled or afraid."
The example of Jesus is to love one another and be a servant to others, giving good gifts even during the most difficult and disappointing times.
John 15:12
"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you."
