Settled

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD

For the last few days I have thought what I could write to start a new decade. I had many things in mind but no sure direction. Are eight decades not enough to praise my Lord? There will not be enough time in this life.

This morning, I am remembering yesterday ~ the ending of the last decade.

There was one handicapped space available in the grocery store parking lot. I pulled past so as to back into the space and have room for the electric cart on Jerry’s side. After pulling up and back a couple of times, I stopped and settled a few minutes to check the list before I got out of the car.

But before I looked at the list, Jerry and I both said, “Why did I back in?” Jerry was not planning to get out. For short lists, he just rides with me and waits in the car.

After shopping and unloading the bags from the cart to the car, I noticed a kiwi in the cart that I needed to take back and pay for. Sometimes, this is tiring ~ forgetting, redoing, rescheduling, going back and forth.

Groceries settled, I sat in the car a few minutes then pulled forward (didn’t have to back out :). We started for home (one main thing a day is best for us ~ less to remember).

Was any of this for naught? No. It was all in the Lord’s doing, still humbling and teaching me to settle in for what lies ahead. Usually we have to sit for the stop light at the intersection for a few minutes ~ another place to settle.

There is refreshing in these times, time to catch my breath, and breathe in a renewing of the moment ~ stopping, slowing and realizing the presence of my Lord to carry through with His plan ~ then a slow acceleration and yet fast enough to get under the light before it changes again.

On the short ride home, the Spirit of the Lord left me with no doubt as to what is to come ~ life is giving and forgiving. This was His life and His life given for me ~ that I might live through Him and Him through me ~ filled with His grace. nestled in His goodness, and wrapped in His glory.

Regardless of forgetfulness, diminished sight, other failures and weaknesses, the grace of our Lord is prepared for us. The longer I live, the more I am given and the more I have to give. I spoke these thoughts to Jerry so that he may be encouraged and know what to expect. I added that he would be the first recipient.

“To whom much is given, much is required.” Luke 12:48

And beginning our fifty-ninth year together, I am settled for this.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen….this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.”
1 Peter 1:10-12

Gracious Father in heaven, Hallowed by thy name as your grace abounds toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Fill us with your Spirit of grace for the life you have planned for each of us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran

Image: Google

31 thoughts on “Settled”

  2. The line: ‘The longer I live, the more I am given and the more I have to give’ really spoke to me. Thank you Fran. May God continue to bless you in your new decade and others through you.

    I forwarded this post to my 88 year old father and 86 year old mother. Dad is still giving through his service in their local Methodist circuit in South Devon. That blesses me just knowing that Dad has never retired from Christian service.

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  3. Dearest Fran, what a blessing it is to know you. Your steadfast spirit and your persevering faith are pointing to Jesus. Thank you for sharing (out of your humility and love for Him) and spurring us on toward the greater goal and prize.
    2 Corinthians 4:16-18
    So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
    🤗

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    2. As other’s have already confirmed “,,,,,, life is giving and forgiving” is IT in a nutshell.

      As a great preacher and a great man of God commented many years ago ……..

      “To GIVE is to BE LIKE God. To FORGIVE is to BE MORE LIKE God.”

      Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary! Blessings

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  7. atimetoshare.me

    Birthday blessings coming your way, Fran. Each year is a gift. each day, hour, minute and second. May God continue to guide you through life and allow you man more decades.

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  8. Fifty nine years ! 🎈✨ Congratulation, what a milestone in your togetherness. Lives lived full and strong I’m sure – and still in His service. In quietness and confidence live peacefully and enjoy those ‘renewing moments’, they are meant just for you and are precious.

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  9. Happy Birthday and congratulations on your anniversary! It is indeed humbling when one looks back and remembers all the grace and forgiveness that has been extended to us along the way and the wonder of His enduring love and sufficiency. It’s only within the last year or so that my wife and I have both been suddenly introduced to the realities of our ageing bodies and as per usual, my wife adapts more readily and with far less complaining than I do but I’m getting there. It’s amazing how the word grace can take on a whole new meaning, even after I thought I knew it well. Just wanted to let you and Jerry know what a blessing the two of you are and how we look forward to meeting you both in God’s beautiful presence one glorious day. In the interim, as per Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.” Much love, grace and blessings!

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    1. Thank you Bruce, always encouraging and supportive as all should be to each other. It is good that the Lord enables us to look back and see that He was with us every year. Each one becomes an encouragement for us to look forward, onward and upward, away from the world and its distractions. Heaven becomes brighter and lighter even though our vision may be getting dim. He knows how to shift our focus through our weaknesses of the flesh. Blessings as you and Peggy continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord.

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    1. Dear Kim, I can’t think to what this refers except as Barnabas was an encourager. I hope that I am and can always be. But as far as an award, I have to give all the praise to the Lord. When I began blogging, I decided to make it a no-award blog. And I do very much appreciate your nomination. Blessings to you as you continue to encourage others. 🙂

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