Change by Julie Short

Listen
Sh
Listen

Do you hear Him? Are you open? Are you willing?

Are you still and listening?

Or are you busy being; Angry, shooting hurtful venomous words at others
Trying to change others, Make them…..

The only person we can change is us.

I stepped out of my anger for just a moment and I listened
I heard…Is it worth your relationship with me?

Listen, and God will lead, listen and forgive
Listen,
And allow God to change you into someone you won’t even recognize.
And out of the broken/shattered pieces of my life
God is making something beautiful.
Listen, do you hear the pencil drawing on the paper,
amazing I didn’t know I could do that
Listen, do you hear the sound of the keys typing out the words I never knew
Listen, do you hear the sound of my speaking in front of people,
I never could have
Listen, do you hear the sound of scissors cutting and hammers hitting nails,
Listen, do you hear God picking up each shattered/broken piece
and carefully putting it together, molding and hammering.

The most important change
is allowing God to change us, our hearts, our minds,
Allowing God to make something beautiful out of the mess of our lives.
Change does not come without being open to God,
with out pain, without patience.
God makes all things beautiful in His time.
Are you Listening?
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27

Scars by Theresa Zuber

My Savior healed a man’s shriveled hand (Matt 12:10-13), yet still chose to keep the scars in his own. Was it so Thomas could believe? Did Jesus know the nail prints in his hands would be such a moving reminder of the sacrifice he made? I wonder if his heavenly hands still bear the marks.

My life is sometimes jagged, painful & ugly. I’d like God to take away all evidence of these gaping wounds. But he knows that life’s trials are what shape my character and build my spiritual muscles. He wants me to look at these “scars” as beauty marks; reminders of the mercy, grace, faithfulness & love that he provides to carry me through.

Point of Grace has a song called, “Heal the Wound.” The chorus has this beautiful message: “Heal the wound but leave the scar; a reminder of how merciful you are. I am broken, torn apart. Take the pieces of this heart, heal the wound but leave the scar.”

Lord, I am so thankful for your mercy and grace. Help me to look upon painful times in my life and see only a beauty mark that reminds me of your love, healing power and your ability to make all things work for the good of those who love you. (Romans 8:28)