“You uncovered her faith.” These words from a text share well the truth of scripture. I’d not thought of describing faith with the concept of uncovering before, but yes, that is exactly what happened.

“Long before he laid down the earth’s foundations,
he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love,
to be made whole and holy by his love.”
Ephesians 1:4, The Message Translation

“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!
Just look at it – we’re called children of God!
That’s who we really are.”
I John 3:1, The Message Translation

A child of God – who we really are, our true identity.

Yet, our identity and God’s heart of love for us needed to be uncovered, to be revealed.

For me, God uncovered and revealed my true identity during my college years through the ministry of a Christian worship team.

For her, God allowed me the privilege of being the carrier of his message, a message that he wrote long before he laid down the earth’s foundations. I’m overwhelmed and thankful.

Last weekend, I returned from visiting her in the ICU in a Richmond, VA hospital. We whispered scripture to each other reminding us of God’s love, of God’s presence, and of God’s peace. We held hands. We prayed together. These nine days will be forever imprinted in my memory and on my heart.

As we kissed each other good-by, emotions were all over the place. Our hearts were at peace and our tears were flowing.

Our uncovered faith forged a bond we’ll enjoy forever.

“But to all who received him,
who believed in his name,
he gave power to come children of God”
John 1:12, RSV

If you are curious about more of this story, click here and here.

Thank you to Eric for taking this selfie and sacrificing himself. This was snapped after their family hike at the Grand Canyon over Christmas.
Impressive!

Tom and Susan own and operate a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. Susan is my niece.

Last month we enjoyed a delightful dinner with Tom and Susan. Both boys, now college graduates, work in other cities.

I asked, how do you like the empty nest? Tom responded first. He is struggling. I love being a parent. And now that parenting days are over I’m struggling with purpose. Anyone can milk cows;  Susan and I were chosen to be Mike and Eric’s parents.

I identified; I was right there with Tom. I’ve been pondering my purpose in this stage of my life. Like Tom and Susan, the melody my life sings is changing.

Change is hard!
Learning new rhythms requires change.
Sometimes I just don’t want to leave the familiar. And I need to; the rhythm is shifting.

God’s path, His purposes for me are NOT shifting.
The rhythm of living out that purpose is.

My word for 2020 is rhythm.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. The notes in my ESV Bible referencing this verse say, “There is an appropriate occasion for every human event or activity; life is endlessly complex.”

There is indeed a rhythm to our complex lives.

There is a rhythm and God’s unchanging purposes bow to new rhythms.
And so the questions … what does stewarding the new rhythm look like now? What is the new rhythm I need to embrace?

As I’ve prayed over those questions, I’ve made the hard decision affecting Echoes of Grace.
Yes, Echoes will continue, but possibly not every Thursday.

A new melody is controlling my rhythm. I’m wanting to bring together the many things I’ve been learning about rest. The things I’ve been pondering, speaking on, and in many cases writing about.

Like Dr. Luke in his opening words of his gospel, ” … it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account …” Luke 1:3.

I want to write a manuscript, an orderly account, on the topic of rest. This is my melody for 2020 defining my rhythm.

Echoes of Grace will continue to pop up on Thursdays, just not every Thursday. It will have a sporadic rhythm. To make sure you know when a new post is live, if you have not already done so, click the link, Follow Echoes of Grace. That way I’ll keep you in the loop and you’ll know when a new post appears.

Tom and Susan will continue to milk cows.
I’ll continue to write.
God’s purposes for us have not changed. The living out of those purposes, the rhythm, and how to steward them is changing.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated [gave you an unchanging purpose];”
Jeremiah 1:5 [brackets mine]

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting as the fire glows orange

The present now past …
Remembered,
Recorded,
Rehearsed.
It was good.

The present now present …
Quiet, yet new voices,
Still, but actively restoring,
Needed, yes very needed.
It is good.

I’m excited to tell you about this wonderful volume, a Christmas gift.

This beautiful book is a collection of liturgies to use in the midst of your everyday moments.

As I have sat in front of our fire each morning, my cup of coffee at hand, I’ve turned to page 135, A Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee . As I read the words, my heart turns to prayer and each phrase reminds me of my every moment and my desire to know God in them, to recognize the holy.

Perhaps you too would like to use this liturgy for your morning.

Shared with permission:

Meet me, O Christ,
in this stillness of morning.
Move me, O Spirit,
to quiet my heart.
Mend me, O Father,
from yesterday’s harms.

From the discords of yesterday,
resurrect my peace.
From the discouragements of yesterday,
resurrect my hope.
From the weariness of yesterday,
resurrect my strength.
From the doubts of yesterday,
resurrect my faith.
From the wounds of yesterday,
resurrect my love.

Let me enter this new day,
aware of my need,
and awake

to your grace,
o Lord.

Amen.

With the beginning of the new year, perhaps it is appropriate to change yesterday to this past year. And in the next stanza, change new day to new year.

I wonder what you’ll hear from God?

“Be still … know”, from Psalm 46:10

Did you recognize the words at the beginning??? I originally shared them a year ago. In my reviewing how God has been speaking, I realized how perfect it was for this year as well. And the morning liturgy matched so well.

God’s richest far more abundant blessings to you in this new year, this new decade!

Next week (and back to Thursday posts, so January 9) a brand spanking-new post on Echoes of Grace. I’ll be sharing my word for 2020 and some of the applications I’m thinking it will require.

If you haven’t signed up to follow Echoes of Grace and receive the short devotional note I send out to those who have, please join in. Click follow Echoes of Grace and you’re included. Perhaps a good habit for the new year.