Why are flaws exposed?
Where is your joy?
Go beyond courage and imagination.
During a curious time of my life, I often focused energy to fill my closet by fashioning garments I’d enjoy wearing. Depending on the textile, a bolt holds roughly 100 yards of fabric. Inch by inch, it’s cut as needed to achieve the goal of each buyer. Excitement of finding the perfect fabric on a thin bolt may disappointingly measure up short of what’s called for. You learn to improvise with a new choice. Alterations, as well as matching plaids and stripes, call for extra fabric. Before cutting off the bolt, watch for damage because the tight pattern-piece layout on a specific fabric allowance, doesn’t forgive flaws. The clerk understands, graciously removes flawed material and saves it for the remnant bin along with bolt end-pieces. Grandma, Mom and I were talented seamstresses, though we weren’t born with ability to sew well-tailored garments. The Lord had planned opportunities for us to receive creative skills through training, practice and forgiveness. We learned details—make two rows of long stitches to gather, a whip-stitch mends and hides a hole, zig-zag finishes raw edges, back-stitch prevents unraveling, clip or cut notches on curves, under-stitch facings and linings, etc. Messes of pins, threads, snippets ended up all over the room and needed to be cleaned up. Rolled-up leftover cloth, tied with a string of selvage, was stored away to await hope of a new creative purpose. Valuable life lessons, by the methodical process of sewing, include mental concentration, motor skills, self-confidence, creativity, design, and self-discipline.
Faith (in Christ) changes the way you live.
Intriguing words such as remnant in the Bible and childhood memories remind me of the faith given me in Baptism (listen to this helpful review of what the Bible says about Holy Baptism).
“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19The written Word, (spoiler alert) is a glorious salvation plan, all about Jesus who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power. Being intricately knit together in my mother’s womb is among many descriptions of how our awesome Creator works. Then, allowing us to grow and learn from mistakes, the Spirit of Truth teaches us to live in His gentle peace and harmony, wrapped up in His love!
Malachi 4:2
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| But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2 ESV |
Disputes include claims, disagreements, and God’s response.
There are two sides of the fence where each of us will be found when Jesus returns. God, always with us, knows exactly what is happening at every moment and wants us to end up on the side with Him forever. He utilizes difficult situations to point out personal corruption and idolatry. He treasures us and desires to drive us toward green pastures and sunshine.
Things aren’t easy, nor well, when the heart is penned in with dark suspicion, doubt, betrayal, ingratitude, selfishness, arrogance, jealousy, rivalry and accusations. Our sinful choice to remain stuck in filthy mud of denial, procrastination, ignorance and self-righteousness, contrasts God’s choice to offer us the gift of Christ’s freedom, safety, comfortable flexibility and good fit with others. Thankfully, God has power to turn a curse into a blessing! He reminds us to remember his goodness and that He can be relied upon in all circumstances. He desires justice—treating people fairly. Be kind first. Fairness doesn’t depend on the other being fair first. Confessing our own failures (words, deeds, thoughts) and by turning them in at the cross is what God expects from us. His Word assures us that Christ, who lowered Himself to become one of us, removes sin for us. In His selflessness, we are reconciled with God—privileged to start new, share hope and become reconciled with others! Humbly confronting what is exposed as problems and difficult
situations is a daily, life-long process which ultimately depends on forgiveness in Water, Spirit, Word.
Curiosities are wonderfully satisfied when we listen to the Word to discover how to prepare for the Day of the Lord. Confidence is supplied to look forward to Jesus’ glorious return and judgement of the living and the dead. By listening well, being carefully slow to speak and slow to anger, we realize what real friendship is. Receptive of the gift of repentance, we search ourselves to discover our own faults and the hurt we’ve caused, ask for forgiveness, and by grace receive Christ’s peace which surpasses understanding. Facing truth that our own best deeds and intentions are insufficient for salvation, we honor God’s loving character and cling for life to His promise. Christ’s purpose of dying on the cross and rising from the grave was to pay for the insufficiency and sin of the world. Though undeserving, repentant believers are blessed with big, soft, grateful hearts. Forgiven and strengthened by Jesus body and blood, they live with joy in all circumstances and are inspired to serve.
Moms have concern for the faith of children.
Every mother is also a child and since every child is a gift from God, so is every mom. Christian women pray continuously, from the thought of the possibility of having a child until the time their womb carries a baby and throughout their entire life. They’re thankful their Christian parents pray(ed) for them, too! When their adult child strays, abandons the faith, or acts disrespectfully, the devil tries to work guilt into hearts of mothers. It’s true that some children do reject the faith; however, this is not the fault of moms who brought them to baptism and trained them in the Word. Each must take personal responsibility to receive or reject God’s gifts. Gratefully, lovingly, the mom makes choices to bring the child to adulthood when the child can take on responsibilities. Imperfect mothers treasure the Lord’s gift of prayer during challenging times, trusting all people are held in the grace of a faithful God.
Our Heavenly Father exposes dangers and offenses. Just because we’ve been given the precious faith in Christ, doesn’t
mean it’s impossible to let go of it by our own devastating choices. Encouragement and mercy, when offered, aren’t always received; yet, when they are grasped, such sweet, helpful words they are. We can ask adult children, “will you forgive me?” or “where are you at in your life of worship?” or “will you ask [name of trained, willing, responsible person] to discuss with you what is troubling?” or “will you share your life with me?”. Parents can remind children how much God unconditionally loves and calls us to the places
where He locates Himself for us—in Word, baptism, and sacraments which forgive,
equip and strengthen us. Mutually, we rejoice when Christ’s saving victory is passed on from one generation to the next!
Our Lord knows our limitations. When we run out of thread to hold things together, are cut down to scraps, are scattered and stomped upon, God’s Word reminds us that every success in our life, and in the lives of those we love, doesn’t depend on us. Our Lord made amends for all the wrongs and injuries of the world. God chose us to redeem and give new life! Our Savior loves our children even more than we do! The Gospel points out flaws of the past to instill trust and joy in God’s faithful plan for our salvation; here and now, we have opportunity to hear, read, ponder, and pray over it! The Word heals broken, torn, weak hearts and cheers with certain hope! God helps and shields His children who trust Him. We focus on Jesus loving kindness, righteousness and healing.
More on Malachi
Dear Jesus, thank You for the people in my life who told me about you. Help me to do the same. Forgive me and help me live as God’s child who glorifies You for Your mercies. Protect the precious gift of life You give all people. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
No matter how severe the ailment or how great the sin, God offers His love, forgiveness, and comfort to all. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1:7–8). —Mustard Seed Daily Devotions
