Bits and Pieces

“…so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:15-16

We’ve done some remodeling this summer to keep our house structurally sound and decided to do some updating as well.  There are analogies and lessons to be learned in everyday tasks, and peeling away decades-old wallpaper reminded me of life as it unfolds in the presence of God’s grace.

Sometimes I could peel away whole sheets of paper with very little effort.  That part was fun!  I could see immediate results and this spurred me on.  At one point I pulled so enthusiastically the paper tore in half – something I hadn’t anticipated – and I fell hard on my back!  I was stunned, but suffered no permanent damage, and I learned from that experience. 

Many times I had to give extra diligence to small, stubborn bits and pieces.  It was frustrating and time-consuming, but necessary.  As the old façade came off I could see more clearly what lay underneath and I began to anticipate fresh, new options. 

Living life in the arms of God’s grace is very much like this.  Sometimes it’s easy and even fun.  Other times our humanness gets the best of us and we fall back hard.  What do we do when this happens?  We get up, we learn from the experience, and with God’s strength and courage we keep going.  There are also those pesky little bits and pieces of our character that we’ve wasted a lifetime trying to remove. 

When we faithfully and consistently give ourselves over to our God and ask God to peel away any stubborn willfulness that keeps us from glorifying Him something wonderful happens.  His image is revealed in us.    

Father God, because your grace keeps renewing us, we delight in another day to glorify your name, through Christ, amen.

 

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas