Who am we? Why are we here? These questions, tightly interwoven are crucial to enjoying who God created us to be.

“For we are his workmanship,
created in  Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10

 How do plan, purpose, and passion inter-relate? How do these words speak?

“For we are his workmanship,”

I am his — God’s — workmanship. No question. These words shout truth, these words shout identity. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13. I belong to God. I am his child. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” I John 3:1. No question!

Being his workmanship defines who I am, my created identity.

Part of his workmanship, is not only physical being, it is our heart, our passions, our purpose, God’s design for all of me.

“Created in Christ Jesus for good works,”

Growing up, in my college years (when my faith became real), even into early years of marriage, this was a foreign concept. I didn’t even think about it. I was just putting one foot ahead of the other.

But God. God had a plan. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,” Jeremiah 29:11. Although I memorized that verse early in my Christian life, I wasn’t listening to its truth. It was encouraging in a nice kind of way, but knowing the words is merely information, not transformation.

I longed for transformation. Transformation resulting from living my purpose.

“Purpose is the DNA of your soul, knit into you from the moment of conception. It is the pattern from which everything about you originates. You don’t find purpose. You live and let purpose reveal itself to you.” Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD.

If you looked at my life in those early ministry years, you might think, I know what’s important to Sue. I think I knew too; but there was a disconnect. I was living from perceived expectations, not from an understanding of purpose.

“God not only loves you very much
but also has put his hand on you for something special.
Something happened in you.
Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word,”
from I Thessalonians 1:4-9, The Message rendition

God loving me leads to my life being an echo* of his Word. Identity leads to purpose.

And it is God’s purpose being lived out through his children.

“God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works
but because of his own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
II Timothy 1:9 (underline mine)

I am the work of God’s hands so that he might be glorified! Isaiah 60:21. My purpose is not about me. It’s about God’s glory.

“which God prepared before hand,”

This is security, the source of significance;  this is grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8 and 9.

Another of those early scripture memory verses that I divorced from its context. Because of the grace of salvation, not my works, God endowed me with purpose.

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me:
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
Psalm 138:8

“that we should walk in them.”

We should walk. I hear God’s heart in three ways: there is a path (walk in them);  I should keep moving; and the translation is walk — not run.

This speaks of passion. I want to continually be walking on the paths God has created for me.

What about you? What do you hear from these scriptures?

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, February 2025

*The name, Echoes of Grace, comes from this scripture.

 

Several months ago I had an argument with someone I’ve known for years. It was an unexpected clash, not par for the course of our relationship at all, and I came away from it shocked and a little bruised.

The gnarly part was that there didn’t seem an obvious way to resolution; as well as feeling awash with the emotions of it, it wasn’t clear how to move forward.

Such incidences are unwelcome aren’t they? In this situation it was a conflict, but it could very well have been an illness, or an accident or any kind of bad news. Something happens and the waters of life are stirred up. We’re disoriented and don’t know what to do next..

My strategy for the last few months has been to keep this incident on a shelf in the corner, attempting to pretend it doesn’t exist. In the main that’s worked quite well, but every now and then something will happen that brushes up against the as-yet unhealed bruise, and I find myself unable to ignore the discomfort. The throbbing pulsates right through me, and it’s as painful as ever.

This happened a few weeks ago. A completely different person did something that hurt my feelings a little, and I found myself reacting disproportionately strongly. I was awash with indignation and feelings of being hard-done-by, and even as I was experiencing them, I knew the throbbing was the original wound, rather than the current smite.

So the next morning, I reluctantly took the conflict down from the shelf where it had been gathering dust, and sat with it and the Lord.

Before me I had the words of Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Words poured out of me as I described to the Lord the stew I found myself in. Disappointment. Frustration. Anxiety. A litany of injustice and hurt.
As I sat with the words, I felt low. I’m drowning.

Then, as sometimes is my habit, I started to draw a stick man, carrying a big weight. I knew that in order to put on the easy yoke of Christ, I would first need to shed the yoke that was currently weighing me down. Release and receive. So I sketched myself with a bundle of hurt, bigger than I could carry.

I didn’t want it any longer.

When it came to sketching the yoke of Christ that I had been given in exchange (for it is not possible to wear two different yokes at once), I drew it as a soft collar around my neck, and coloured it in with the orange highlighter I had next to me. I scribbled the word grace on it.

As I sat with the image of a stick man wearing an orange collar, it immediately reminded me of a type of buoyancy aid we might wear while watersporting. A buoyancy aid of grace.

The significance of this picture hit me straight away. I was awash in choppy seas and couldn’t see dry land. I’d spent the last few months treading water with this issue, and I was tired: not at all confident that I wouldn’t sink.

The relief was immediate. I could almost feel the soft inflated plastic around my neck, inviting me to rest my weary self.
Beneath, the waves remained dark and choppy; I still couldn’t see the shore. But my legs no longer had to uselessly flail.

I could float..

In the weeks that have followed, the gnarly unresolved situation has continued to aggravate. But something significant has shifted internally.

I’m no longer afraid.

It’s strange to say, but there have been moments when being aware of this buoyancy aid of grace has led me to feel something of a playfulness, which seems odd when the situation remains prickly. I’ve got enough experience of being out on the water to know that being held upright, safe, in a large choppy loch is actually quite…fun. I’ve found myself internally challenging Jesus Come on then, the pressure is off me, show me how you’re going to resolve this situation with your grace. It’s not an abdication of responsibility as such, but a sort of sacred detachment, an acknowledgement that my life is not my own.

I don’t know what I need to do to get to steady ground with this issue, but one thing I’m confident of is that his grace IS sufficient; his power is made perfect in my weakness. .

When we come to Jesus with our tangled situations, what we’re effectively calling out is Save me! We’re crying out from the midst of the storms.

The buoyancy aid we’re handed doesn’t immediately remove us from the squall. Circumstances don’t immediately ease.
But we are safe. Our heads are above water. We will not be drowned.

And that’s true whatever the cause of the gale. Life has unexpected weather almost every day. We are utterly dependent on these buoyancy aids, but often we try and swim on our own. There’s no need! There’s no need at all, yet our stubborn instincts are so quick to tell us otherwise.

Such is the miracle of life in Christ that our hailstorms are an invitation to be carried. To float, safe and free, in the arms of the One who is our buoyancy aid. Who always keeps our head above water. Who always leads us home.

At Bible study last week, our leader asked us each to bring one of our favorite scriptures on God’s love to study this week. Because I pray over it almost daily this scripture popped into my mind.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!”
I John 3:1, NIV

It speaks of my identity. More than a wife, a mother, a grandmother, I am a child of God! I live out those other identities through that reality.

It speaks of God’s nature. He lavishes his love! According to the Oxford Language Dictionary: bestowing something in generous or extravagant quantities. Miriam Webster says, bestowing profusely.

God generously and profusely loves me (us) by bestowing his love, by calling me his child.

Earlier this week, Sonja and were talking about our love of flowers. When our husbands show up with bouquets (thank you Valentine’s Day), we care for them. We diligently trim the stems; we give them fresh water; we feed them with those tiny fertilizer packets. And we enjoy them for a time. But their time is short; there are no roots; nothing to keep them nourished and growing; they are not planted.

“Blessed is the man …
his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.”
Psalm 1:1-3

“The righteous flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD;” Psalm 92:12, 13.

I question. Are these just familiar, encouraging scriptures, or am I putting myself in a place to allow them to transform me? Am I planted?

Do I want my life to look like the short-lived beauty of the flowers or the beauty of the trees.

Paul exhorts in II Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (italics mine)

Direct my heart. What does it look like to allow God to direct my heart to his love — to not just know scriptures in my head, but to truly embrace them?

Knowing is not enough!  Knowing is head knowledge; believing is heart knowledge. 

Trust is the key to moving that knowledge from my head to my heart.

So I pray, God, what would it look like in the midst of the hard realities swirling around me to trust your love, to allow myself to be directed to your love? 

Directed to the steadfastness of Christ. The dictionary challenges as I look up steadfastness — the unwavering love of God.

Often the stories surrounding me feel like a roller-coaster with major highs and lows, not even keel, steadfast, unwavering.

God asks, will you Sue, allow me to direct you to my steadfast, unwavering love even in your roller-coaster reality? 

YES! I have no choice.

My faith cannot be rooted in my ability to understand.
My faith must be rooted in trust.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirst for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked up you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied …”
Psalm 63:1-5 (italics mine)

The scripture I’m bringing to Bible study is II Thessalonians 3:5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, February 2025

 

 

 

 

 

Vigilant: the state of being alert, wide awake, aware of danger.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion …”
I Peter 5:8

 

 

Watchfulness: being observant, continuously attentive, eyes open to God.
WordHippo – “proactive engagement with one’s spiritual life”.

“Continue steadfastly in prayer,
being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2

 

Two similar concepts with two different foci. Both necessary.

Vigilance is the idea of danger, that which is to be avoided. As believers we need to be aware.

Matthew 4 records the narrative of Jesus being led by the Spirit … to be tempted by the devil, his adversary. Tempting, one of the main tools in the devil’s toolbox was his weapon of choice after Jesus had been fasting for 40 days. The devil tempted, command these stones to become bread. Jesus, you’re hungry, fix your problem. Jesus knew truth; he knew the devil’s tactics; he quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, “… man does not live by bread alone …”

Jesus was vigilant, wide awake to the devil’s schemes.

I was in the congregation squirming on those uncomfortable folding metal chairs. She was on the platform weaving story after story captivating those around me, but not me. My focus was in the wrong place. Why wasn’t I sharing my story? I have more to share than she does and better stories. COMPARISON!! The devil was having a hay-day with me. Like Jesus, I knew the truth; I knew the scriptures say, II Corinthians 10:12, “… they who compare themselves among themselves are not wise.” But unlike Jesus, I chose to ignore it. I chose to wallow in my pity-party.

I was not practicing vigilance.

I was (am) aware of my propensity to comparison. It’s an area I MUST practice vigilance.

I’ve learned the habit of reviewing the scriptures — almost daily — that speak to me of God’s purposes for me; that speak of my identity; and that speak truth into the lies I’m most susceptible. I need to be vigilant!

Watchfulness, being continually observant of God at work is also necessary. Watchfulness, like vigilance, requires attention; attention focused on God.

Above my computer desk are two framed pictures of my oldest and youngest GRANDS. Jack, now 18, is a three year old in the top picture. He is seeing a rainbow for the very first time. His awe is obvious as he stands un-moving and looking.

The bottom picture is 18 month old Leah. It was snapped in December 4 years ago. She is holding a string of tiny plugged in Christmas lights. She too is awed as she sits un-moving and looking.

Have you ever seen a circular rainbow, a Sundog? Bill and I were in New Mexico on a rare weekend away. As we sat on the patio of the Bed & Breakfast we were visiting, this beautiful phenomena appeared, a Sundog, a first for me.

I was mesmerized. My eyes were open to another of God’s amazing creations. I sat and stared, giving continuous attention, engaging, watchful.

Watchfulness allowed me to receive God’s gift of a Sundog that morning. Watchfulness wows and points to our amazingly creative, caring, loving God.

Vigilance and watchfulness both necessary in growing our relationship with God.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, February 2025

 

 

 

 

The 19th century tale of Hansel and Gretel tells the story of two impoverished siblings who are cast out into the forest and have the foresight to lay crumbs of bread along the way to mark the path back home. In the original German fairy tale, home was not a safe place, and nor was the forest. The breadcrumbs were eaten by birds and the children ended up almost being eaten themselves. Good comes in the end, though, as the children are reunited with their loving father, and those with ill-intent towards them are vanquished.

In recent years I have oft given thought to the picture of breadcrumbs being left in the forest to mark the way home. Simple provision, serving both as sustenance and guidance. Is this not entirely the way God deals with us? I have thought to myself Giving a morsel for us to consume, that also calls us home, unto him?

Over the last months these thoughts have merged with another story of people in a perilous place being fed and shown the way home. In Numbers we read the story of the people of Israel being led to the Promised Land, and being fed each day by manna, which miraculously appears for them to collect.

This manna has caught my attention.

The people of Israel were fed…but discontent. They wanted to store the manna up so that they didn’t have to collect it each day. They wanted something different, something that seemed tastier to eat.
It’s not difficult for me to imagine myself as a discontent Israelite, not appreciating the significance of what I was being given. Perhaps growing bored. Definitely wanting to fill the store cupboards with provision so that I know I can last a wee while without needing God to provide any more.

But God didn’t give them store cupboards so the they could last a wee while without needing him. No, God used to the daily provision of manna to communicate something profound:

Every day, for the rest of your lives, you need to look to me for everything you need.

It’s uncomfortable to have to live day-to-day, spiritually hand-to-mouth, part of us resists it. And yet this is exactly the way God invites us to live: as baby birds who perpetually open their mouths to be fed.

Recently it has been my resolve to be really delighted with the manna. To choose to look for the provision – in whatever form – and take joy in it.
But sometimes it’s not as easy as that. Sometimes the manna is really hard to spot. There isn’t an aisle in the supermarket that blares out ‘Manna!’. Life is so cluttered. Noisy. Demanding. More often than not the manna can easily be overlooked.

And this is where Hansel and Gretel come in. In the darkness of the forest as they walked, noises, trees and peril all around them, their eyes strained to look for the one thing that would lead them home: the breadcrumbs on the path.

We are Hansel and Gretel, lost and in danger. Our Heavenly Father goes ahead of us in the forest and drops breadcrumbs of manna each day for us to eat and follow. His manna-breadcrumbs cannot be eaten by birds, nor stolen by thieves. We need not question whether they’re there, but we do need to train our eyes to see them.

I have found pausing in the evening to look back over the day invaluable in learning to recognise the manna. Sometimes it’s so hard to see things in the moment, but as we look back we re-remember ordinary events as being embellished with the divine. Sugarcoated with grace. Thankfulness sharpens our vision with a readiness to see.

These breadcrumbs of manna mean that though we face many forests or deserts or valleys, we can never be lost, and never truly be in danger. For we are children of a Good Father, who goes before us. Whose Spirit keeps on highlighting to us the manna of his grace. His provision. His protection. And let us not imagine anything meagre in these manna-breadcrumbs, for they are a feast. When we learn to see them we will find that we cannot help ourselves but see them everywhere. Liberally spread over every aspect of our lives: His love will lead us home.

 

I invite a few close friends over for a grown-up, winter tea party, and before they arrive, I rhythmically move around the table arranging crustless sandwiches, lemon bars, scones, and cream. I set out my beloved Noritake gold rimmed plates, teacups, and saucers — our wedding china. I smile remembering all the times I’ve used this china, and I think about how thankful I am to get to love on my friends and myself by using it once again. The good life is for giving ourselves and others a little attention by enjoying the good things rather than keeping them hidden away. I set out the porcelain tea bag holders and little stirring spoons. I realize I forgot the water goblets and then, out of the blue, I remember that one friend won’t be joining us. Suddenly, uninvited tears show up before the party. It’s silly to be crying, really. I mean, this friend didn’t die. We didn’t have a big fight or a dramatic falling out. Our friendship just changed, unfolded into a new season. And that new season has me a little sad because I just miss her. I stare at the dining room chair at the end of the table and briefly contemplate taping her picture to the seat-back. Or maybe even just leaving one seat empty in her honor? I don’t, of course, because that would be weird. But sometimes we want to give the loss a tangible space to be remembered. After all, loss is the tagalong companion to love, and it’s impossible for loss not to receive attention alongside the love. 2025 is only a week old, and my heart holds sadness for a friendship that doesn’t look the way it used to. For you, maybe there’s a sadness for the same — or from a different kind of relationship that doesn’t look the way you wish. As you gingerly walk into the newness of 2025, perhaps you carry old sadness from the previous year’s friendship heartbreak. If that’s true for you, I humbly offer these five truths to ease the changing seasons of friendships: 1. Give yourself time and room to feel sad. Don’t skip over the sadness. Give yourself permission to mourn the loss for an appropriate amount of time. Let it have its time, but don’t let it boss you into believing that God doesn’t care about you or that Jesus has abandoned you because that will never, ever happen. He is with you always (Matthew 28:20) . 2. Don’t assume there’s something wrong with you. When a friendship or other relationship changes, it’s easy to look inward and think, What did I do wrong? While introspection is necessary in gaining self-awareness and apologies are sometimes in order, odds are good the relational change was more about her than you. Instead of looking inward, look upward and assume that for now, God simply wants your attention elsewhere. Trust God with your reputation as well as this situation (Psalm 135:14). 3. Believe God continues to give His best to you and will withhold no good thing from you. This includes people who are best for you (Psalm 84:11). 4. Pray God’s best for your friend. Whatever the particulars behind the changing friendship, let’s remember to represent Jesus well by letting the situation bring out the best in us, not the worst (Luke 6:27-28). 5. Fervently thank God for the friendships you do have. Even if it’s just one friend, and that friend moved five states away. Or even if that friend is the one preoccupied with a new baby or grandbaby or busy with a new job. Thank God for who is present at your table and in your life (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It takes courage to hold our relationships in upturned palms instead of squeezed in our tight fists. It takes strength to carry yourself with a posture that says, You are welcome to stay here as my friend, but I won’t force it. Some seasons call for staying in a particular friendship. Other seasons call for keeping our distance from someone we’re not called to be in community with—whether that’s our choice or not. In those moments, may we continue to give ourselves a little attention by enjoying the good things — and good people — around us. And may we also see all the ways God gives us gifts that are signs of Love present everywhere.   Kristen, a friend from church is also the compiler of “Praying Through Loneliness”. The following story first appeared in this book. Available at your favorite bookseller.

I love ministry.
I love writing Echoes of Grace.
I love speaking when God opens those doors.
I love connecting with friends, in person or by phone.
I love hospitality.

Those words recorded in my journal a few weeks back are all true, I think.
But I choked on that last love. Do I really love hospitality?

It sounds like you’re not excited about this brunch. My sister’s words when I was telling her about the brunch I was planning. You’re right. I’m not. She heard it in my voice.

But I love hospitality, don’t I? And isn’t hospitality biblical?

“Do not neglect to show hospitality …”
Hebrews 13:2
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
I Peter 4:9
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Romans 12:13

Qualifications for the overseers, the shepherds, and widows all include hospitality in their lists. I Timothy 3:2; I Timothy 5:10; Titus 1:7

Loving hospitality is loving God’s word. I was feeling convicted!

I have nice things and I enjoy using them. Why was I struggling this time?

“Because of the LORD’S great love we not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22, 23 NIV

I was feeling consumed! Can something I love, or think I love, be all-consuming?

It had been a full Advent and Christmas season. There had been multiple opportunities for hospitality. I loved each one. And, I admit I was tired. I was feeling consumed, spent, used up.

True; but why? I kept pondering my conundrum.

The Merriam Webster dictionary says that hospitality is the friendly and generous reception of guests. And the distinctiveness of Christian hospitality is it’s about the guests; hospitality is other centered; hospitality is central to the gospel.

While hospitality is other centered, it also does not belittle the host; hospitality does not take away from who God created me to be.

But I needed a shift in my thinking.

Hospitality is not about creating a 5-star presentation; it’s about welcoming guests!

I love setting a nice table. But I began to realize I was allowing the presentation to eclipse the very reason for hospitality.

Being Intentional (my word for 2025)
led me to four lessons I need to practice relating to hospitality.

1. Capacity. Perhaps four major opportunities for hospitality in one month is too much in this chapter of my life. I allowed myself to be consumed. Sometimes I should intentionally say “no”.

2. “Because of the LORD’S great love…” Those six words at the beginning of Lamentations 3:22 were convicting. I intentionally review God’s love for me at the beginning of my devotional time daily; that is normally. I had let that habit slip in the busyness of the season. My bad!

3. The opposite of being consumed is being safe-guarded, being sustained. I was looking for my sustenance from others instead of hospitality being given to others. I need to intentionally remind myself of the reasons for hospitality.

4. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God …” James 1:5. I must intentionally ask God for his wisdom. Is this opportunity for hospitality in your will?

“the church, of which I became a minister
according to the stewardship from God
that was given to me for you…”
Colossians 1:25. (italics & underlines mine)

God has given me a stewardship, and that stewardship is for the benefit of others. God has entrusted something to me … enjoying hospitality … to invest in others.

Loving hospitality is who I am. Practicing hospitality is living out my creation. But because of my lack of intentionality, my focus was blurred.

Biblical hospitality roots out self-centeredness, deepens fellowship with others, and honors God.

My desire is to be intentional and hospitable while remembering those four lessons.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2025

 

 

 

 

 

“Let me be so taken by what you show me
and by what you say to me
that your vision and hearing become my guide in life
and impart meaning to all my concerns.”
Henri Nouwen, The Only Necessary Thing

What a great scripture and a great prayer for the new year.

Yet, do I live like the paths God chooses for me drip with abundance? Am I allowing God to impart meaning to all my concerns? Sometimes I do, and sometimes I question.

It’s been said that 70 is the new 50. I like that and I don’t like that.
I don’t want to be where I was 20 years ago spiritually.
But I would like to be where I was 20 years ago physically.
And therein is the problem.

When reading an Advent devotional a few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit whispered, I am and I also am.

Do you remember Gabriel’s initial communication with Mary in Luke 1? Gabriel called out Mary’s true identity, O favored one (or greatly loved one), Verse 28. Then Gabriel shared his news and the reason for his visit.

Mary questioned, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”  Verse 34. Mary responded with truth, surface level truth. Gabriel lovingly and patiently explained.

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord;'” Verse 38. I suppose her words could have also been translated with this below the surface truth, I ALSO am.

Mary knew she was a virgin.
She also knew she was a favored one, a servant of the Lord.
She knew both her surface level truth and her below the surface truth.

There are surface level truths that define me — female, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, neighbor and more. And like Mary, I too am a favored one, a below the surface truth.

“and having put on the new self,
which is being renewed in knowledge
after the image of its creator.”
Colossians 3:10

As I read those words, I hear God’s voice, Sue, live from your below the surface truth, your new self. Live out of who I created you to be.

Living from my below the surface truths defines and refines me. I need reminders. As I remember, God’s purposes for me are highlighted. Gabriel was God’s instrument reminding Mary. Reviewing the truths I’ve recorded in my journal are the instruments God uses for me. The rough edges of my life are smoothed; God refines.

This is my desire and my challenge! I am and I also am.

My word for 2025 is intentional. Being intentional is one of my keys for living our of who I ALSO AM! The holidays were a hard lesson. And re-affirmed to me the importance of being intentional.

Next Thursday, January 16, I’m sharing my story about hospitality, and intentional-ity, and living out of my below the surface identity, who I ALSO AM! God’s paths do indeed drip with abundance!

“The unfolding of your words gives light:
it imparts understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 119:130

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2025

 

When you have time this joy-filled Christmas, you will be blessed by this very creative offering. I especially loved the renditions of Joy to The World (first half) and Away in A Manger (second half).

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Our family is visiting, so Echoes of Grace will take one week off to enjoy them.
See you January 9, 2025!

 

 

 

I’ve been captivated by the preposition, unto, and the very familiar pronouns, us, you, me of the Christmas story this Advent.

Unto, another archaic word, a preposition that leads to the personal pronouns. Pronouns that tell me that the Christmas narrative is a gift for me — a gift for you!

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, unto them
hath the light shined …
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:”
Isaiah 9:2 and 6, KJV (italics mine)

The people who walked in darkness are the ones who have scorned the invitation of the gospel. But the Light (Jesus) has continued to come to them. Because unto us, all of us, the Light continually comes. God is always initiating.

Every day the gospel invites. Every day I choose — will I keep looking at my surrounding circumstances, or will I trust truth. The choice is for all of us.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior
who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11, ESV (italics mine)

Gabriel’s words are directed to a smaller group, a group of shepherds. Unto you, shepherds, a Savior has been born. The shepherds trusted.

Like for the shepherds, the Savior has been born for me, and for you. This thought brings a big smile.

And God often gets even more personal.

“… Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
“And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son …”
“… You shall call his name Jesus.”
“… The Holy Spirit will come upon you
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you:“
” … let it be to me …”
Luke 1:30, 31, 35, and 38, ESV (italics mine)

This time Gabriel is speaking only to Mary. The you is a singular pronoun. Mary recognizes truth and with great humility responds, let it be to me. Mary knew she was hearing from God personally.

Those are the words, the personal words, that often get recorded in my journal. It’s easy to forget and I want to, need to remember. Those words lead to great joy.

I was meeting with a friend for lunch recently. I knew she had walked through some very tough stuff. My heart was to love her well, to encourage her. Yet I was questioning. Earlier that morning as I was making coffee, my eyes rested on this truth that I have standing above my kitchen sink, “Greetings, O favored one (greatly loved one), the Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, italics mine) That morning those words were the pronouns, the truth I needed to hear, I needed to trust. Big exhale. It was a message for me. They led me to faith and to joy.

Leslie Weatherhead, an English theologian and author wrote, “the opposite of joy is not sorrow. It is unbelief.” Believing Luke 1:28 planted a seed of joy. It was joy because I experienced the joy Jesus reminded me of, the Lord is with you (me). I trusted the gospel.

“And the angel said to them,
‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.'”
Luke 2:10

Unto us, unto you (plural), unto you (singular), the Child was born!

May the joy of Christmas be your reality!

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2024