From the Inside Out

Come on in!  I’m delighted you’ve stopped by.  There’s fresh coffee in the carafe–help yourself.  Perhaps you’d like a cup of tea?

It would be fun to sit around a big harvest table, old and new friends together.  I can picture us warming our hands on over-sized mugs.  (While I’m day-dreaming, let’s add a plate of biscotti to the table!)  I can also hear us chattering away, sharing our stories, and discovering with delight the things we have in common. 

But soon we’d be sharing what’s important to us, too– our cares, those things that weigh upon our minds, and the life lessons we’ve learned along the way.

That’s my prayer for this blog.  As we reflect together on important matters, we’ll discover like-minded people with similar concerns and goals.  We’ll become friends who can:

• provide strength and support,
• present possibilities we may not have thought of, and
• infuse each other with hope.

We’ll look to God’s Word for instruction and guidance, and then seek ways to live out those truths.  We’ll invite the Holy Spirit to make impressions and foster expressions.  From the Inside Out. 

For example, one morning a couple of years ago, I began my quiet time by first opening my Bible instead of the study guide.  “Wake up, Nancy,” I said to myself.  “You don’t even know what scripture passage you’ll be studying today.” 

 I turned to the day’s lesson in the workbook and discovered my Bible was already open to the proper page.  In fact, the verse suggested for the meditation was right at the top.  I felt a strong impression from God:  “Nancy, this verse is especially for you.”

 Now, before I reveal the verse, allow me to explain that just a few days earlier I had received disturbing news.  Hurt and discouragement fought against faith and hope in my spirit.  So imagine my astonishment when I read, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).

 That verse ministered to me repeatedly over the following months.  I wish I could say hurt and discouragement never caused me trouble again.  It wouldn’t be true.  But as I sought to express my trust in God, He carried me through some difficult moments.  As I expressed hope for the future, He gave me strength to press on. 

God used those dark days to teach me about His grace and sufficiency.  From the Inside Out.

What impression has God placed upon your heart?  How is it finding expression in your life?

P.S.  Before you leave, click on the About button.  There you can read more about the rationale for this blog.  And come back on Thursday when I share how a foggy impression became a fun and splendid expression.