Break It To Me Gently
"So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die." Jeremiah 10:24
My husband tells me often that if I want his attention or help with something, I shouldn't be quiet or subtle about it. He says, and I quote, "Men need a two-by-four upside the head."
In reflecting on this passage in Jeremiah, I remember the many times when I have felt the loving two-by-four of my Savior upside my head. It seems I don't listen too well to the still, small voice of my Father God when He speaks to me.
On one such occasion, I had just finished the first night of a Motherwise Bible Study. It was wonderful, and my heart longed to be close to God. That night, I prayed this prayer, "Dear Lord, please draw me closer to You. Whatever it takes, Lord, draw me close to You. Amen."
The next day, I found myself in the Emergency Room of the local hospital hearing the words, "It's a brain tumor. You have a brain tumor." Now, I have to tell you, that's not what I had envisioned in answer to my prayer the night before.
But God, in His infinite mercy, grace, gentleness and love saw fit to use this experience to tear down every stronghold of dependence I had upon myself. He lovingly forced me to be dependent upon His perfect, precise, precious hand of care in my life. He used this time to increase my faith in ways I never thought possible. It was, and is, one of the biggest blessings I have ever known.
There have been other such gentle two-by-fours I have felt upside my head since that time eight years ago, and they no longer scare or intimidate me. I know I am always held safe and secure in the gentle hand of my loving Savior--even when He corrects me, especially when He corrects me.
So, bye-bye bad dreams, convicted murderer stalkers, infertility worries, brain tumors, and marital nightmares. My God is bigger than all of you. And, He loves me enough to fashion me into the lovely little lady bug I long to be.
May you come to know the peace and joy of the Lord's loving correction in your life, and may you have the best day you've ever had in your life.
My husband tells me often that if I want his attention or help with something, I shouldn't be quiet or subtle about it. He says, and I quote, "Men need a two-by-four upside the head."
In reflecting on this passage in Jeremiah, I remember the many times when I have felt the loving two-by-four of my Savior upside my head. It seems I don't listen too well to the still, small voice of my Father God when He speaks to me.
On one such occasion, I had just finished the first night of a Motherwise Bible Study. It was wonderful, and my heart longed to be close to God. That night, I prayed this prayer, "Dear Lord, please draw me closer to You. Whatever it takes, Lord, draw me close to You. Amen."
The next day, I found myself in the Emergency Room of the local hospital hearing the words, "It's a brain tumor. You have a brain tumor." Now, I have to tell you, that's not what I had envisioned in answer to my prayer the night before.
But God, in His infinite mercy, grace, gentleness and love saw fit to use this experience to tear down every stronghold of dependence I had upon myself. He lovingly forced me to be dependent upon His perfect, precise, precious hand of care in my life. He used this time to increase my faith in ways I never thought possible. It was, and is, one of the biggest blessings I have ever known.
There have been other such gentle two-by-fours I have felt upside my head since that time eight years ago, and they no longer scare or intimidate me. I know I am always held safe and secure in the gentle hand of my loving Savior--even when He corrects me, especially when He corrects me.
So, bye-bye bad dreams, convicted murderer stalkers, infertility worries, brain tumors, and marital nightmares. My God is bigger than all of you. And, He loves me enough to fashion me into the lovely little lady bug I long to be.
May you come to know the peace and joy of the Lord's loving correction in your life, and may you have the best day you've ever had in your life.
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