I like people like that.
I have a lot of them.
IRL and URL.
Who hear my heart. Who hear my soul.
But during my gritty times, I didn't see that.
I felt alone
Scared.
Abandoned.
Confused.
Wondering where "my people" were and where God was in all of this.
Yeah.
That was grit.
But now, I am starting to, little by little, see the glory.
They are sort of like little rays of light that you see here and there -- those glimpses.
Sometimes the light is more obvious because of the shadows.
I am finding that to be true for me.
The glory is more real, more obvious, more well...can I say it? Glorious
because of those gritty, doggone-hard, ugly-cry, shake-your-fist-at-the-sky places.
No one chooses the grit.
I mean, I sure didn't.
but somewhere in the midst of it all...
something weird and strange happens...
You find, maybe even for the first time in your life, the true meaning
of His glorious grace.
But during my gritty times, I didn't see that.
I felt alone
Scared.
Abandoned.
Confused.
Wondering where "my people" were and where God was in all of this.
Yeah.
That was grit.
But now, I am starting to, little by little, see the glory.
They are sort of like little rays of light that you see here and there -- those glimpses.
Sometimes the light is more obvious because of the shadows.
I am finding that to be true for me.
The glory is more real, more obvious, more well...can I say it? Glorious
because of those gritty, doggone-hard, ugly-cry, shake-your-fist-at-the-sky places.
No one chooses the grit.
I mean, I sure didn't.
but somewhere in the midst of it all...
something weird and strange happens...
You find, maybe even for the first time in your life, the true meaning
of His glorious grace.
24 comments:
"But somewhere in the midst of it all something strange happens" this is my truth & my life right now. You have the definition of grit and the true meaning down perfect!
Well said!
I like this very much. I like the idea of offering back the grit of it back to Jesus, as Glorious treasure. Because those hard-as-can-be seasons of life create empathy and beauty in our souls and that is, indeed, treasure.
yes, finding the true meaning in the gritty hard grace of life. Always the paradox of the Gospel. Lindsey, you shine brightly for Christ. We are your people, sister. You are loved.
yes...the beauty of life happens somewhere in it all, doesn't it? The grit. the imperfect people who find eachother and make each other stand tall...lovely :)
Yes, finding his glorious grace. Thanks for this! While we may not choose it, he chooses it for us, and it scrubs away our sharp edges and reveals the sparkle of his grace living in us.
So true--no one chooses the grit! Yet, once you acknowledge it and begin to accept, even embrace it, your life changes completely. For the better.
...almost like putting cornmeal under the pizza crust dough. Adds texture...
I agree, Lindsey, and love your images of the shadows & light.
Lindsey,
"Gloriousbecause of those gritty, doggone-hard, ugly-cry, shake-your-fist-at-the-sky places."--i like that. i like real--thank you for sharing honestly. i've been at those same places too, and yes, we do always find His grace, don't we? He always gives more grace.
blessings, sister,
{i don't know if my blog URL is registered with Disqus, so here this is me...}
http://sixinthehickorysticks.blogspot.com/2012/02/grit-five-minute-friday.html
"Sometimes the light is more obvious because of the shadows." So true - beautiful post today thank you
That's pretty much my blog for tomorrow! :-) I'm so glad we can share Alece as a friend.
Me too! And I can't wait for people to read your words tomorrow!
Thank you! Inspired by Emily Freeman's post at Chatting at the Sky this past week about light....
Thank you! After Emily F talked about light and photography and all that jazz this past week, I was inspired and then I looked through my photos and realized that that is how I see the world too!
Oh thank you for your words here! I appreciate the encouragement!
It really does change for the better even though we never SEE that in the middle...and I think HE is okay with that! I love your example of the cornmeal...you made me ponder for a bit!
"...scrubs away our sharp edges..." oh my yes...and how I have needed that! So He can "..reveal the sparkle of his grace living in us..." Brilliant words! Thank you!
oh yes...imperfect people finding each other...what a fabulous way to think of it...and reminds me to give MORE grace when I think of it that way!
Hmmm...the paradox of Gospel...indeed...indeed! Thank you, Kris...you give me much to ponder...
Oh yes, Alyssa, you said it...how the empathy and grace for others is developed in our souls during those gritty times....so, so true!
Really? Are you experiencing the grit right now? or a bit of the revealing?
Thank you for your kind words!
Oh, if it weren't for the shadows, I'm not sure I'd be able to see the light sometimes. The gritty days are hard (I've been having a few lately), but I try to remember how God walks with me through them and hope to see that grace.
A little bit of both. We are going through some trying times right now. We are being dealt a different set of cards every week it seems like.
Because of the roller coaster I am experiencing grit in some areas and revealing in others.
Lisa
Mmmm...that is a good way to put it...if not for the shadows...
I am sorry for your more than your share of gritty days lately....praying that grace gets "easier" to see...
I am sorry for the "trying" ....truly...I know He is IN our pain but I know how challenging the process can be.
Post a Comment