Today's
devotion is a rewritten 'favorite' from 2004.
I have an old well-worn tee shirt, emblazoned
with polar bears dancing arm in arm on an ice floe. The rear view of those
dancing bears is on the back. For a few years, Carol and I celebrated New
Years Eve at Disney World, usually in the MGM Theme park. One of those
years, I wore this shirt with my cut off jeans and a Mickey Mouse Top hat,
as we Enjoyed Huey Lewis and the News. Their show was so good; we stayed
for the second show. In the intermission period as we walked through the
crowd we were surprised to have everyone move aside. Then, we looked up to
find our image on the JumboTron TV screens. I was told I looked like Santa
on vacation.
This shirt has now become more special to our grandkids. Even though it's
huge on them, Dillon and now Madison have always worn this shirt as a
night shirt when they spend the night. I've always made a big deal about
it being my shirt, asking: "Hey, what are you doing with my
shirt?" It has become a big game, with me telling them I'm going to
hide it. Of course, it's only done so they can find it. Mammaw Carol is
always in on it, so it won't be impossible to find. Pappaw's shirt has
become one of those things grandkids expect when they come to visit. We
have our other 'special' things too. Madison wants to help make popcorn or
cookies, while Dillon is quite the expert at cooking scrambled eggs. While
Pappaw, is expected to cook the bacon and maybe waffles for breakfast (or
even supper).
These kinds of things help to let these kids know they belong...that our
home is their home. There's something special in that game with the shirt.
I protest that it's mine; they laugh and tell me it's theirs for the
night. There's another shirt (with a bear), for whoever doesn't get the
Polar bears. I keep hiding them - they keep finding them. By now, they
know that shirt is barely hidden and is theirs for the using. Our Father
has hidden gifts for us too. He's put signs and reminders all around us.
He's hidden His word in our hearts. His love is openly given and grace is
abundant in His care for us. We may feel the disgust and shame of our
failures and sin, yet in His love and grace, He makes us clean. He makes
certain we can find everything we need, if we but look. His word brings
comfort and hope to the suffering and hopeless. He's provided a way for us
to come to Him in the filth of our sin an depravity. Just as Pappaw's
shirt is hidden where it can be found, God's grace is where we can reach
it whenever we need it. Our search should begin with prayer. That's how we
find Him and His love. He's waiting....
I love You Father. Your love fits better than
an oversized shirt. Your grace is softer than well-worn fabric and Your
forgiveness makes me warm, when the cold of my sin overtakes me. In Jesus,
I wear Your love, grace and forgiveness. As I 'put on Christ', I feel a
love so strong, it's beginning is unseen and there is no end. I know I
belong, I'm Home in Christ Jesus. Please forgive my sins, as I forgive
other sinners. Offering myself as the hands and feet of Jesus, I ask Him
to fill my life and heart. Fill me with Your grace, so I am compelled to
share it. These concerns and loved ones I lift to You: Roger & family,
Johnnie, Carolyn, Greg's family, Rick, Tom, Dave, Valerie, Clayton &
family, Paulette, two local churches, Judy, Claudia, Paul, Allen Michael,
Newborn Madison, Edward, Irene's family, Emmaus Men's walk, Lacey, Bobby,
Donald, Al's family & friends, Amy - her daughters & husband,
Takin' The Streets, Lucinda, adoption of Grace, Milia, Summer &
family, Steve, Pastor Dave, Linda, Edward, Matt - his 2 year old son &
family, Barry, Richard, Ma Glenda, Pastor Jack, Pastor Dave, Charlie,
Larry, Mike, Linda, Amy, Thelma, Struggling family, Karen, Tia, Ron, Tim,
Patsy, Leola, Claudia, Don, Jack, Wendy, Eula & her family, Rob &
family, Iris, Carrie - Brandon, Judy, Freddy, Barb, Will - Misty, Debbie,
Ginny, Dean, John, Lauren, Austin, Carla & children, Chris &
Terri, Arianne, Corey, Robin & husband, Mark, Georgiana, Martha, T.
J., Jerry & Donna, Cubby, Bill, Lillian, Ted, Elden, Silas, Julia,
Kaitlyn, Cathy - Brandon & Ed, Fran, Kris, Joe, Kristie, Mike, Pat,
David, Dylan, John, Robin & husband, Eric, Ray, Heather - Scott &
family, Warren, Maria - family & pets, Amy, Thelma, Victoria, Carol,
Bergen, John, Kenny, Dawn, Jeff & Vicky, Myra, Mary, Frances, Jim,
Ron, Doug & family, Phil, Randi, Jack, Randy, Dick, Larry & Vicki,
Pam, Dave, Archie, Gary, Josh, Lucia, Ruby, Tim, Pastor Rick &
Daughters, Catherine, Lisa - Sam, Sabrina, Bobby, Mark, Woody, Curt,
Dustin, Aaron, Donna, Warren, Larry, Willem, Burt, Jack, Cline, Johnnie,
John, Lynn, Norma, Olivia, Drew, Kenny, Our loved ones in need of
salvation and guidance, all who are dependent, depressed or grieving,
Those fighting / working for freedom and safety from terror, neglected /
abused / missing children, God's servants and churches, those looking for
work, in rehab programs, our own families and everyone we hold dear in our
hearts. In Jesus' name I pray.... Amen.
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed
yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free,
male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to
Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV
