thanks Archives - Jacque Watkins

Giving Thanks :: Seeing 1000 Gifts and Beyond

June 11, 2013 by Jacque 2 Comments

He walks with them at sunset and my heart about melts away. I snap pictures and swell with love for them and I add it to my list of one thousand gifts–these blessings I’ve been counting awhile now, into the three thousands now.

I remember reaching one thousand and how looking for His gifts had changed me. And the habit has become part of how I see the world now…

Especially in the tough times.

In the frustrating times.

In the comparing-myself-to-her times.

To pause and look for all He gives.

Giving thanks is always a choice. [Tweet that]

And I won’t lie, sometimes it’s a challenging one.

To surrender frustration to thanks.

To surrender selfishness to gratitude.

To see the glass full because it really is.

And what a gift it has become to live this way.

Trees standing tall,

The sun on leaves,

Flowers blooming in spring,

And the end of another home school year.

A visit with parents I love,

Painted toenails,

Braided hair,

The birth of babies,

And a job I love.

Birds chirping in trees,

Ants crawling on flowers,

And evening family walks on mountain trails.

Kids splashing in the pool,

Southern gospel songs,

And always the messes on the floor, because they’re here and playing and full of life.

Oatmeal and peanut-butter toast while watching Alaska The Last Frontier.

Sunshine, green grass.

And Romans 1… now up to verses 1-26 … again and again.

Life is hurried and filled to the brim with to-do lists and deadlines. Cleaning, organizing, reading and writing.

But a pause to stop, and look, and give thanks, always changes everything.

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

What are you giving thanks for today?

How has gratitude changed you?

**Linking with Ann & Laura…

Filed Under: Character, Faith, Family, Gratitude, One Thousand Gifts Tagged With: One Thousand Gifts, thanks

Mended :: To Shine Hope to the Broken {Week 10}

April 24, 2013 by Jacque 7 Comments

I’ll never forget him, broken, and in need of being mended.

He was 35 years old and going blind. His diabetes was out of control, but he didn’t care.

His wife had tried for years to get him frequent a doctor. He refused.

Even after they had explained the risk of further complications … heart disease, complete blindness, kidney failure, neuropathy, and amputation. He still didn’t care.

He wanted to live life his way, even if he walked around broken.

Even if it meant His life was less optimal or that he died early.

He wasn’t interested in being mended.

I am a blessed woman to be a nurse … to have a job I love and be counted among a profession known for empathy, care and understanding.

Nurses are on the front lines in most situations … to nurture the sick, care for the injured, and help mend the broken, both in body and in spirit.

They hold the hand of the dying,

And hold the hearts of their families who grieve.

They change and bathe the dirty,

Give medicine to the sick,

And believe in their ability to be healed.

It is the broken we care for … the ones who need to be mended. But care can only be given when the broken come to receive it … when they recognize their problem and admit that their only chance for wholeness is to submit to the healing process.

But not everyone wants to be healed.

The broken have to be willing to submit to the healing plan crafted for them by their physician.

And you know what?

God is our great physician. He has crafted a plan and is waiting for our broken hearts to come to Him … to surrender to His care and be willing to trust Him.

To be willing to go through the pain and sacrifice He requires in order to emerge mended.

Sometimes the wound has to be opened and cleaned.

Sometimes the break has to be re-broken and set.

Sometimes the medication is in need of a change.

Sometimes there’s infection to treat,

Or hours of physical therapy, for muscles which have atrophied over time.

As He mends, He gently glues each broken piece in place. It can be such a tedious process to become whole. But in His time, God always brings a wholeness that shines His love through the healed cracks for all the world to see.

Nothing delights Him more than to mend His people and make them whole.

“You rejoice over us. You take the pieces we have long forgotten–even the ones that have cut us deeply. And you lovingly place them one on another until all we know is that You are the builder and we are yours … the light that breaks through the shards of brokenness and makes the world bright with promise. The glimpse of forever that whispers gently … I have mended you, love.” ~Angie Smith, Mended

When the process is finished enough, He wants us to go and tell of His mending.

He wants us to share in the work He is doing in the world already, right where we are. And as we spend time with Him and listen to His voice, He will be faithful to make known to us, the ways He can use our mended hearts for Him.

We are mended to shine hope to the broken. [Tweet that]

And what is our charge? … As those who have been mended by the great love and mercy of God?

Angie Smith says it so well…

“Now go and tell the story of a love so beautiful,

that it broke in order for you to be rebuilt.”

[Tweet that]

May our increasing wholeness in Him, scream of His love to a dying and broken world. And may we always give Him much thanks for being mended.

Have you known anyone who refuses to be healed?

Over these weeks, how has your heart been mended?

As we conclude our journey in Angie’s book, Mended,

don’t forget to visit Tracie and Denise today for their concluding thoughts…

What a blessed journey we’ve had in being mended!

Photo Credit: dixieroadrash, Flickr Creative Commons

Filed Under: (In)couragers, Adversity, Brokenness, Community, Faith, Mended, Relationships Tagged With: growth, realness, thanks

When You Wonder if He Can Use YOU

April 8, 2013 by Jacque 13 Comments

I have a confession to make. I don’t drink coffee, but I am addicted to Starbucks.

I know. It’s a problem. And I’m planning to deal with it, really I am.

It’s just that the creamy spice of the Chai tea latte has won my heart … a venti-6-pump-3-splenda-no-water-no-foam-extra-hot Chai tea latte, to be exact. And even though that order sounds TOTALLY high maintenance, the baristas assure me it’s easy compared to some of the drinks they‘re asked to make. I’m not sure if they’re just saying that to make me feel better, but I’m choosing to believe them.

This problem is so serious that a few weeks ago, when my friend was coming over to visit, she texted me to ask the high-maintenance-details of my drink, so as not to get it wrong when she brought it to me. But I didn’t see her text in time.

By the time I answered her, she was already halfway to my house with the drink in tow … the drink she got perfectly right because the baristas knew exactly how to make it when she told them it was for me! Ugh. Embarrassing, right? I know. I know.

So anyway, as I continued my conversations with the Lord, begging Him to use me in whatever ways He sees fit, I began frequenting a new Starbucks. It opened right near my house with a drive through and everything. A real Starbucks, not just the inside-the-grocery-store-kind. And I’ve come to know most of the baristas by name, and they know me too, making me feel so welcomed each day.

One morning back in December, as I was using my gold card to pay, I felt a very strong impression to give the barista my business blogging card. Immediately I wondered whose bright idea that was. I didn’t miss a beat in beginning my internal arguing faster than an auctioneer could ask for a price … besides, I didn’t even think I had a card with me. But as I waited for my drink, I looked in my wallet, and wouldn’t you know, I had just one card with me? One. Hmmm.

The arguing continued…

“If I give her a card then she’ll know my story …

I’ll no longer be obscure and unknown …

besides, she’ll think I’m so silly,

And what could she possibly say back anyway?”

But as I continued to wait, the impression wouldn’t go away.

I picked up my drink, added some half and half (because that makes all things better), and opened the door to leave. But as my hand touched the handle it screamed in my heart loud and clear…

“So … are you going to obey?

I’m asking you to give her the card.

Will you get past being uncomfortable and do it anyway?”

I stopped dead in my tracks, let go of the door, and turning around, I walked straight to her. I apologized for sounding weird, told her I was a blogger and that I wanted her to have my card. And I couldn’t believe the warmth of her genuine response.

She smiled wide and without skipping a beat, couldn’t believe it at all. She told me how she was a writer too and how her and a friend have been wanting to learn how to write better. She couldn’t have been more thankful and excited to have received my card.

Wow. Only God. Who would have known?

Over two months went by and I continued to see the Starbucks baristas there. And one morning as I exited the store and walked back to my car, I saw her wheeling the trash cans back from the dumpster, this barista to whom I’d given my card–the one I’d discovered was the manager of the store. She said hi to me, called me by name and asked if she could talk to me.

I grew a bit nervous, wondering what it could be, and then she simply asked for more cards, saying she wanted to give them to some of the other baristas inside … to the other baristas! I opened the car, retrieved some cards, and handed them to her. No questions, no comments, she just wanted more cards, and I handed them over with a smile.

I still don’t know any more than that, and I may never.

But one thing I do know, God wants to use us.

He wants to use you and He wants to use me.

He wants to work and move through us, as we sense His Holy Spirit and are surrendered His way.

I’ve heard some say they don’t think God intimately interacts with us, or that we can experience Him in real and practical ways. They refuse to believe God would use us for His purpose and for the growth of our own faith.

But I wholeheartedly disagree.

Could it actually be that we miss intimate interactions with Him because we are not actively looking for Him in our everyday moments?

Not listening in for His still small voice?

And not really willing to obey anyway? Perhaps because we’d be embarrassed and feel awkward and it’d be just more uncomfortable than we’re willing to take.

I don’t know what will come of my blogging-card baristas, but I do know as I continue to see them every day (ahem!) I’m praying for them.

Praying that God would use this mercy-and-grace space to help them know how much He loves them.

Praying they’d know there’s nothing that can separate them from His love … nothing they’ve done and nothing they’ve failed to do.

And I’m continuing to pray for each of our hearts as well … that we would not be too deaf to hear His voice, too proud to respond to His call, or too busy to be part of His story.

The story He wants to weave in and through us, using our very lives that He may be glorified through us. What a gift. And I’m so very thankful.

What has God asked you to do?

What’s your favorite Starbucks drink?

Join in the Joy Dare 2013 as we give thanks for all things. Continuing to count the gifts God gives and the thousands of ways He loves with Ann and her beautiful community…

Old gospel songs

New spring growth

Rose buds standing tall

Yellow flowers on the tree

Tulips in the sun

Brushing long hair

Bruise on a forehead

A new first loose tooth

Late nights writing

Worship in community

Twitter friends

Facebook messages

Co-op learning

A project turned in

A new BLAST beginning

Cabin memories

Snow melting on pine needles

Cool breezes blowing in

Passion iced tea

Late Friday dates

Talking into the night

His blood being enough

Believers to work with

Romans 1:1-6

Called to belong to Him

*Linking with The Better Mom, Playdates, Michelle & Jennifer

Filed Under: Character, Faith, Gratitude, One Thousand Gifts Tagged With: One Thousand Gifts, thanks

Mended :: When You Need to Remember God Loves You {Week 7}

April 4, 2013 by Jacque 4 Comments

Sometimes we’re mended little by little as we stop and choose to see all the ways He loves.

I awake to kids arguing and yelling … punching actually. And as I investigate why this is happening, it becomes no surprise why punches were thrown. At seven and eight years old, April Fool’s Day is a new and exciting excuse to do practical jokes one may not have otherwise attempted at all. And it turns out, no one, including me, thinks this one’s funny.

As I approach the feuding duo, I almost don’t want to ask what possibly could have happened to escalate things to this point. But being the fair adjudicating mother I am, on top of the irritation at such a rude awakening, I decide it best to proceed with the interrogation.

It seems son A has put son B’s most prized stuffed-animal possession in the toilet and then proceeded to place its wet limpy body onto his bed. Son B has not only returned the favor by saturating son A’s most prized animal possession, but in addition, has also put it at THE bottom of the trashcan under last night’s dinner trash for Son B to dig out at his own risk. Son B minces words with Son A, one pushes, the other hits, and finally comes the scream that wakes me straight up in bed.

So … after an hour of cleaning up the toilet-water-soaked friends and sanitizing the various drippage of toilet water around the house (a privileged activity for which I know you’re jealous) I call a family meeting. I subsequently banish and outlaw all April Fool’s Day jokes, and we finally begin our day.

After all that cleaning and scouring we are behind. And silly me, for thinking immediate obedience can now happen … Silly me for dreaming this day could now proceed smoothly.

There’s complaining about the cursive copywork, antsy energy at the table, and yawns and groans through Bible.

And let’s just say, I open my mouth way too fast and fail to model the fruit of the Spirit that should be evident in me. One minute I’m explaining about idol worship and the next minute I’m bowing down to my own idol … my covetous desire for something better, for something more. I long for a new role that makes me feel amazing.

Motherhood is sometimes dark. Maybe you can relate?

I do what I do not want to do, and don’t do what I do want to do. Wow can I relate to Paul!

I’m held captive by my own naysaying voice, scolding myself inside, and crippling who I can be in Christ.

Then because of my guilt and shame, I vacillate as fast as a fan turns on a hot day. I go one direction then another, faster than either one can satisfy … believing in one moment I’m enough, and in the very next, wondering why I was even tempted to believe I could ever be enough at all.

I live in the shadow of the brokenness, caused by all my doubt.

I shatter my own hope that I can do this–that I can be for them who they need me to be.

I mock my own effort of reflecting Him to their little lives.

How can they see Him when they see the haste and short-tempered moments in me? What a joke I am!

And there-in begins my spiral downward, and it’s not even 10am.

In the dark, life begins. And in the dark, life comes forth … It is in the dark we begin to grow. ←Click to Tweet

“Despicable as the shadows may be, they hold the promise of the Master’s voice. Worry not about tomorrow, wondering if the sun will come again. It will, as it always does, in some sense or another. In the meantime, raise your voice to the One Who loves you. He loves you.” ~Angie Smith

I meet a friend for a short hour together yesterday while the kids are at a community sports class.

I come carrying the weight of all I’m not and all I wish I’d be. Not only in mothering but as a nurse, a writer, and a friend. I’m discouraged and not sure I’m cut out for all these roles. I’m sensing I’m in over my head.

But the sun shines and spring has begun even though I feel in the dark. And as I wait for her to come outside, it’s then that I look down and see them. I see daisies in the sun.

They’re nothing extraordinary, but more than ordinary at the same time. They stand tall, glimmering and shining in the sun. The full blooms are open and there are buds with blooms to come, all of them sitting on a carpet of green.

And right there I see Him. I see what He makes, and I sense Him impressing a message on my heart…

“It’s beauty, all beauty. Will you trust me to make beauty in you?”

Winter always comes before spring. It’s cold and damp and then there’s the pruning–dying down to almost nothing. And then … in His time, comes the beauty–this beauty whose potential is there all along but just can’t be seen.

In the seemingly dark and doubting ordinary-daily moments, what will my choice be?

Will I trust Him with it all?

Will I believe I am able to be mended by Him?

That He is even doing so little by little as I take the time to really open my eyes and see the ways He loves me … even if it is through seeing daisies in the sun?

“In a world overrun with choices, He is our choice. Give in to grief or trust Him? Doubt or obey? Escape into the choices or cling to only God?…He gave Himself. There’s no time to wonder about what else He could have given you. Every bit of it is irrelevant in light of HIm. Live a life that loves Him back. Choose well. He is enough.” ~Angie Smith

Remember, even in your dark moments, He loves you,

And choose well.

Because for me and for you … for yesterday, today, and for every day … He. IS. enough.

What dark moment are you facing today?

What do you see that reminds you of His love?

Here’s the schedule for the coming weeks…

April 4 – Chapters 20-22 :: Jacque

April 11 – Chapters 23-25 :: Denise

April 18 – Chapters 26-28 :: Tracie

April 25 – Chapters 29-31 :: Concluding Thoughts

*Linking with Jennifer and Ann and Denise and their beautiful communities…

Filed Under: (In)couragers, Adversity, Brokenness, Character, Community, God's Love, Gratitude, Hope, Mended, Motherhood, Relationships Tagged With: love, mended, motherhood, realness, thanks

Stillness and Rest {Food For Our Souls}

February 23, 2013 by Jacque 2 Comments

Stillness and rest are indeed like food to our souls, and to be honest, mine has grown pretty hungry over the past few months. My pace of life seems to run faster and faster as the need arises to I fill every single waking minute of my time with something, just to get it all done. And I’m sure if I add up all the late nights … I’ve missed many nights of sleep.

So, I just wanted you to know that things will be a bit quieter around here for the next couple weeks, as I’ll be taking some time off to travel and spend time with family. We are SO excited to get away!

Denise and Tracie will be posting for the next couple weeks about our journey through Mended and I will have some reminders for you about that! And while I’ll have sporadic access to the internet, I’m going to try to share on Instagram and Twitter as I can.

As I go, my prayer for us all, is to choose … with intention … to still our hearts more.

Taking more time to rest …

Turning our hearts toward those we love..

Giving thanks for all He’s given…

And as Ann says … slowing time with the weight of our full attention.

Do you struggle with being too busy?

What has helped you?

Filed Under: Gratitude, One Thousand Gifts Tagged With: Ann Voskamp, thanks

Green Pastures and Still Water

February 1, 2013 by Jacque 15 Comments

I see the word Lisa-Jo posts last night, as I park the car in the driveway–finally home from a long day at work. The word is afraid.

And I love this five-minute-Friday community…a group of women who write from their heart and link-up their words every Friday, with posts based on a one-word prompt given by Lisa-Jo. They’re beautifully encouraging and their thoughts always heart-lifting, and I look forward to joining them in a party of words.

I stand in the shower with the warm water pouring down and I ponder the word.

Afraid.

Hmmm, what am I afraid of? What has been the result of fear in my life? And I’m surprised at how much I can think of…so many thoughts, so little time to write.

It’s 11pm and I try to sit and write words, but my eyelids hang heavy and I end up falling asleep. I’m never very good at getting it done in five minutes. And when morning comes, I’m not sure there’s time to write today.

But as soon as we start school this morning I know I must.

They stand in front of the white board and recite it with confidence—this most-famous Psalm of all.

And sometimes the significance of a familiar thing loses its impact because it’s become so familiar.

They begin…with what they think is just a regular Friday memory-work test, and are confused when I’m teary and emotional by the end.

The words. These words. They pierce me in an unexpected way.

For weeks this has been the assignment, and we’ve been practicing it, and now they’re simply standing and reciting the whole of what they’ve learned.

But the words. No wonder they are a comfort to millions of people.

It’s perhaps the most famous passage of scripture, words I’ve known by heart for years, and yet today, they unlock a dam of gratitude in my heart, and the whitewater rushes out, flowing with a fury I’ve not known in a while.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want…

He is always watching me,

Protecting me,

Steering me from danger, even when I’m unaware He’s there.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul…

He brings peace, calm stillness and cool breezes.

And to my broken, sinful heart?

He is making it new, moment by moment,

Restoring it, making me whole, conforming my heart to His.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…

You are with me.

Ahhh. He. Is with ME.

Why is it so hard to remember this?

In every moment…

No matter what I’m facing,

No matter how bad my circumstance,

No matter the job loss, the relationship glitch, or the loneliness that comes and goes,

He is with me, even there. And He comforts me.

But my heart is prone to worry, with a tendency to be afraid … trying to control the circumstances myself and the outcome too.

Sound familiar? Yes. I thought it would.

And so, sweet friend, I’m praying for us all,

That we may rest in knowing He is there.

That we may not be afraid,

That we may be still and know He is watching, leading,

Restoring, and comforting us through it all.

Because He is our shepherd.

May we stay close to Him, listen closely to His voice, and walk with Him by the still water … unafraid and aware of His presence through it all.

How is your heart prone to worry?

What makes you feel most afraid?

I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:

Afraid…

Photo credit: colinjcampbell, Flickr Creative Commons

Filed Under: Adversity, Five Minute Friday, God's Love, Grief & Suffering, Intimacy with God Tagged With: love, lovingkindness, Psalms, thanks

A Mercy-Found-Me Community {My God-Sized Dream}

January 9, 2013 by Jacque 15 Comments

This year I’m joining a group of sisters over at Holley’s place, as we pursue our God-sized dreams—dreams placed within our hearts by the One who created us, and guess what? You’re invited!

“And while our dreams may not be about something big, our God-sized dreams perfectly fit who we are, what we’re called to do and how only we can make a difference in this world.” ~Holley Gerth

As I’ve shared my story over the past month, of how mercy found me, it’s my deepest desire to know how mercy has found you too—to share our stories and stand arm in arm in this place, declaring to the world that through our tragedies, through our brokenness, and through our struggles and time in the mud,

God is good, and we are loved … and He will leave nothing in our lives unredeemed. ← Tweet that

I have dreams, both big and small. And as this year unfolds, I’ll be sharing some of them with you. And I’m hoping you’ll be daring enough to share some of your dreams with me.

But my primary God-sized dream this year is to build a community right here, in this space, with you.

I dream of a place where we reflect on God’s mercy and recognize His grace in our everyday daily lives. Where we intentionally look to see what He gives, how he cares, and what He provides.

I dream of a place here, where we write about our mud moments, share about our real pain, and encourage one another in the process, so that we can know we are not alone. To know that God is here with each one of us, working and weaving His plan in and through our lives.

I dream of a place where we’re not afraid to admit our weaknesses, not embarrassed to share our brokenness, and that every single thing shared will point back to our God who really does redeem and restore each situation, as only He can.

My God-sized dream, is of a community where we are filled with the wonder of His love, moved by the radical power of His grace, and changed by His generous and unending mercy toward each and every one of us. ← Tweet That

Oh imagine the wonder of us all … united … standing arm in arm, with our scars of this life exposed, transparent, and free. Not to wallow, or complain, or highlight shame or guilt or despair.

But instead, for those scars to declare to each other and to shout to all the world,

How God is with us,

And He is good,

And we are loved,

No matter what!

So here’s the thing. I’m gonna go out on a long, narrow, and very bendy limb, in honor of dreaming–to be true to my God-sized dream.

And knowing it’s a risk, I’m going to stare fear in the face and ask anyway…

Will you join me?

On the last day of every month, will you join me here?

Whatever your situation, however you’re found, let’s meet and give God thanks…

For the way His mercy finds us,

His grace lifts us,

And His power redeems it all.

Will you look back on your month and find some way mercy found you and God gave you grace?

Will you write something from your heart, stare fear straight down and dare to hit publish anyway? Will you boldly come and link up together?

Linking both our hearts and our words in this community…

Where mercy has found us,

And grace overwhelms us,

And how because of Him we will never be the same…

And if you don’t have a blog, will join in and you write your words in the comments?

Will you be courageous with me?

To allow our words to heal … not only your own hearts as we reflect and write, but the hearts of others too?

A community of friends, linking arms once a month, to give thanks for God’s mercy and grace.

THIS is my God-sized dream.

And I’m crossing my fingers, and holding my breath … will you be there?

I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do!

What are you dreaming about?

What is your God-sized dream?

Holley’s written an e-book to help us begin to pursue our God-sized dreams: The “Do What You Can” Plan, 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better

And she’s hosting a link-up party every Tuesday over at her place to help us all dream together!

Also, as a team, we are getting ready, dreaming dreams, and anticipating the release of her brand new book, You’re Made for a God-sized Dream: Opening the Door to All God has for You, launching in March.

To learn more about Holley, her books, and words of inspiration, go to HolleyGerth.com … You’ll be so glad you did!

Filed Under: Community, God's Mercy & Grace, God-Sized Dreams, Relationships, When Mercy Found Me Tagged With: connection, friendship, God-sized dream, grace, mercy, thanks

Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good

November 22, 2012 by Jacque 4 Comments

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

He. is. good.

Do you believe He is?

Even through the job loss

The cancer fight

The care of an aging parent

Or the care of a special needs child?

Do you believe He is good?

Even through the loneliness and despair of isolation

The tension of your marriage

Or the rejection of a friend?

For some of us it’s easy to give thanks, but for others, this day is hard, and giving thanks is a sacrifice.

Because thanks is something you say when you believe you’ve received a gift. But what if that thing you’re given feels nothing like a gift? And what if believing He’s good is the hardest part of all?

Oh friend, may I encourage you today? No matter the triumphs or tragedies of this year…

He longs to draw you close.

He longs to open His arms wide and pull you into His embrace.

He sees who you are.

And He wants to make you more like Him.

Not because you’re not good enough just the way you are. Not. at. all. But so you can become more like Him–reflecting Him to a hurting and desperate world.

He longs to connect with you, and for you to abide.

And so He gives. ALL things.

And even if we don’t feel like they’re gifts,

He does care,

And He does know,

And He IS good.

So today, no matter where you are or what your heart is facing, please know…

He is good,

And you are loved,

Just as you are.

May we accept all He gives, trust in His plan, and offer Him the thanks of our whole heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Lord Jesus,

This Thanksgiving day we acknowledge You are good.

We lay down our selfish ways and limited perspectives,

and we surrender our hearts completely to You … no holding back.

We trust you and thank you for all you give and for all we have…

For making a way for us to be reconciled through Your death on the cross.

For giving us mercy–by removing the punishment we deserve,

For giving us grace–by offering your love and favor we could never earn.

This day of Thanksgiving, mold us and make us to be more like You,

that we may reflect You to a lost and dying world.

Thank you for ALL you give, we are so in awe of You.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen

When thanks demands a sacrifice, will you give thanks even then?

What are you giving thanks for today?

Filed Under: Adversity, Brokenness, Character, Devotional, Faith, God's Love, God's Mercy & Grace, Gratitude, Hope Tagged With: aching, brokenness, character, grace, growth, love, mercy, thanks

For You to Know His Mercy {A Brand New Place!}

November 18, 2012 by Jacque 59 Comments

My heart beats fast as I write, groping for just the right words to welcome you to this new place … this beautiful light-filled mercy-space … the one I’ve dreamed of for so long.

The place where I have the chance to meet with you–the privilege to invite you in, with the hope that even amidst your crazy-busy days you’ll sometimes say yes. Yes to come by and stay awhile with me, and the friends who’ll join us along the way…

To walk the dirt paths between the trees, and past the ponds, and stop to chat at the benches on the way.

To gaze at the flowers and notice the dew on the grass and be lulled by the sound of the rustling leaves.

To feel the fresh breeze blowing and take in the stillness of it all.

To slow down and reminisce…

about where we’ve been,

and what we’ve learned,

and how it all gets sorted out for our good…

by a God who loves us so much He just can’t help but bless like that.

We can walk even on days when there’s shade–when the sun is hiding through the trees, or when it’s blocked by the threatening dark clouds in the sky.

And we’ll remind each other even on those days, how there are times we don’t feel the warmth of the sun, but that we know it’s still there.

Above and beyond the darkness.

And higher than the obstacles in its way.

We’ll remember how it will shine strong again–and together that ray of hope will be enough.

We can remember together how our God gives beautiful gifts, and remind each other how all is a gift, even when it doesn’t feel much like one.

That we can trust in His goodness anyway, and hold our hands open and give thanks together anyhow.

We can talk and dream of what the future holds and be reminded that we have hope.

Because God made a way for joy to transcend our circumstances–

a way for hope to resurrect sorrow,

and for His grace rain over us all.

Oh friend … {sigh} I remember how this has been a long time coming–how I’ve been planning and dreaming, rearranging and preparing for these walks with you.

To finally tell you how mercy found me.

To share how it all happened,

And explain to you why I feel so passionate about mercy and grace…

Why I long to display the unrelenting and redemptive power of our God in this place.

But most of all, as we begin to meet here in this new and glorious place, I long for you to find mercy too…

For your heart to know that no matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or where you’re going, there is nothing that can separate you from God’s great love … nothing.

And if by chance you come by every now and again, won’t you plan to stay awhile?

We can watch the sunset as it slips below the branches of those tall strong trees. We can breathe deep while it sinks from the sky, and rest knowing that no matter what this day held, morning is on it’s way—a morning where His mercy is brand new and enough, for each and every new day.

And if you’re willing to drop a note below…??

It’d be such a joy to welcome you today!

*Linking with Lisa Jo Baker, Ann Voskamp, Laura Bogess, The Better Mom

Filed Under: Character, Community, Faith, Friendship, God's Love, God's Mercy & Grace, Hope, Joy, Relationships Tagged With: connection, friendship, grace, hope, joy, mercy, thanks

When Our Heart Aches, He Meets Us Even There

September 23, 2012 by Jacque 15 Comments

I cry the ugly cry and can hardly type through the blur. My heart is aching and I know the ache is nothing compared with what some others may be facing. But my tears only know my ache, the reality of my situation, and there’s nothing more real than my very own heart.

I’m alone, yet I know God is here.

I’ve heard people say that Jesus is all we need, and while ideally this is true, He doesn’t have skin on, and He created us for each other too. And how I long for the embrace of real people to hold my heart and reassure me that everything’s going to be okay.

Maybe you’ve had these moments too … late night moments when you’re all alone and the weight of reality settles in like a heavy cloud. Where you’re overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. When you long for a friend to talk to.

Me too, friend, me too.

How is it we can know so many people, yet still feel so alone?

How is it possible to be lonely amidst so many acquaintances?

I watched the women talk on Sunday, so animated and engaged. They chatted and laughed and were full of joy. I stared and wished I had that too. But the reality is, I don’t.

I walk the church campus and hear lots of greetings. People say hi and even ask how I’m doing, but there’s no time to stop and share. Only time to say something to fill the moment–a way of making passing conversation. They asked, but I’m not sure they really wanted to know.

Acquaintances.

I’ve grown weary of acquaintances.

People I’ve known in one capacity or another, sometimes closely, sometimes at a distance.

People who say they appreciate me and love me, but all of us with lives too busy to offer face to face time with one another.

Too wrapped up in our own schedules to offer any I’m-coming-over-to-sit-with-you-on-your-couch-to-just-talk time.

It hurts.

And I’m thinking I’m not alone.

And while it’s true God created us for fellowship with one another, it’s also true that others can’t meet all our needs. We’re designed with an empty place in our hearts only He can fill. And times alone, without others as a distraction, bring us to the end of ourselves and make us fully dependent on Him.

And as we turn to Him, He meets us in that place.

I reflect and remember words I’ve written before…

Feelings are not the dictators of my reality.

The sacrifice of giving thanks brings joy.

The sacrifice of praise lifts the spirit of heaviness.

And is it possible He’s giving me this season to lean into Him … to turn to Him, in a new and passionate way?

So I run to His Word to replace my feelings with His truth.

I make my list of thanks—because everything is from Him. And everything is a gift.

And I put on Pandora and worship and praise Him. Because no matter what my heart feels, He is worthy of my praise. I sing. All alone, I sing. Even if all that I can sing is a broken hallelujah.

Because no matter what we’re feeling, no matter what we’re facing, he is in total control and He is good.

He sees.

He knows.

And He meets us even there.

In these low places and in these desperate moments.

And He is enough.

Jacque

Have you ached for relationship too?

How has God met you, even in those moments?

Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1621-1635} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with September’s printable.

#1621 Air conditioning on hot muggy days

#1622 A house cleaned by my husband and kids

#1623 Women of Faith in Anaheim

#1624 Help to live my God-sized dream

#1625 Job loss and joy in suffering

#1626 Extra shifts to help meet the budget

#1627 Time with my parents

#1628 A 12 mile-run with my sister

#1629 A day at the fair with the kids

#1630 Leading hymns and singing old songs

#1631 Chicken pot pie, connection, and prayer

#1632 Lunch with an almost-grown son

#1633 Kids swimming every day

#1634 The growing joy of processing life through writing

#1635 How He loves me and meets me even there