October | 2020 | Hopefully Devoted

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

There is something wonderful about waking up before the dawn. All is still and quiet, the house is dimly lit, and it’s pitch black outside. The best part is, I get a front row seat for the sunrise. I never know what it’s going to be, but I am never disappointed.

Misty mornings take my breath away as sunrays punch holes through the fog, shining like spotlights on the dew-kissed earth. Snowy mornings are spectacular. When the sun hits just the right spot, the field looks like a white cotton blanket sprinkled with diamonds. One Valentine’s Day, the sky was a lovely pink with gold and lavender streaks. I received that sunrise as a personal gift from the One who made it; and yes, I thanked Him. This morning, the eastern sky looked like a distant forest fire. There is no forest, and there was no fire, just Light piercing the darkness in a beautiful blaze of glory.

So, what’s up with the sunrises you ask? Mercy! Fresh, new, unadulterated, desperately needed mercy. It comes with every morning. I love that!

Fresh Mercy

If we are honest, we could all use a steady dose of mercy. Try as we might to do well and live well, we fail sometimes. Truth be told, we fail more than we dare admit to anyone, and occasionally in ways we hate to admit to ourselves. We remember that God is there but fear the divine scolding and keep going our way. The sad thing is, we forget the whole of who God is and how He is, so we forego the mercy. Here’s the deal, God’s compassion is as vast as the heavens and as varied as the sunrises He sends each morning. I’m thankful for that because I do some pretty stupid things and could use some of that creative mercy.

How About You

Could you use some mercy? Have you gone to places in your life you never thought you’d go, perhaps done some things you never thought you’d do? Are you running; too afraid to stop and too tired to keep going? Have you thought you’ve gone beyond the reach of mercy and wondered how or why God would want to extend it to you? His compassion is based on His love for you and He demonstrated it in a very profound way. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Perhaps you’re experiencing sorrow of heart and the pain of that sorrow has worn you out. Jesus made a pretty sweet offer. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Perhaps today is one of those messy days and you feel you’ve drained the mercy pool. Take heart, friend. The sun will rise tomorrow and will bring with it a whole new batch of mercy.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Pictures compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1(KJV)

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year and October the most beautiful, at least it is to me. I stood on the deck this morning; the air was cool and the view spectacular. I never intended to go there; I was just following the color. There’s an overgrown clump of trees surrounded by brush. I don’t know if it’s beautifully wild, or wildly beautiful but the messy mix of color intrigued me. No matter. The moment was eclipsed by a memory and the striking colors dimmed; muddied by overflowing tears and an upcoming anniversary that will forever be woven into the tapestry of my beautiful Octobers.

A Grim Reality

Early last October, my husband and I were at that thicket of trees, seeing what needed to be done. It was gray, gloomy and sprinkling. I recalled that my son planned to come out that month to help tidy up that area as well as other parts of the property, but his health made it impossible. Then it hit me; he would never be out here again. Suddenly, the raindrops felt like bricks and I could hardly stand it, or stand. My husband pointed out the sun behind me. It was brilliant and beautiful, but I didn’t care. It had no impact whatsoever on the dim valley I was standing in. I just wanted to go inside.

Hope to the Rescue

I couldn’t see it until I got to the top of the hill. The treetops in the distant field were golden, striking really. All below them was a dismal, gray-brown blah. I was reminded that where I was is not all there is, and I learned some things about hope that day.

Hope doesn’t alter the pale and painful valleys of life, nor does it remove them. Hope places a gentle arm around your shoulder, speaks peace to your wounded soul and redirects your gaze; from your terrible temporary to a sublime eternity where all things are made new. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

How About You

Have you been side-swiped by uncertainty? 2020 has provided a boatload of opportunities to doubt, worry, fear. Perhaps you have suffered the loss of a loved one, a job, financial security, physical freedom or some combination of all those things. I’m right there with you.

If there ever was a time for hope, now is that time. Hope is an anchor for the soul; but an anchor is only as good as that to which it is moored. Systems may have failed us, God has not. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. Hebrews 6:19.

The Psalmist did a little self-talk that might be of benefit to you. It’s a good question and a good answer. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Pictures compliments of Pixabay Creative Commons