Infused with Grace

some words from “Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth:

"And I have felt 

A presence that disturbs me with a joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns."

Tintern Abbey in Wales, once home to Cistercian monks in the late 1200’s, was (and still is) an ecclesiastical ruin” that Wordsworth visited and inspired his thoughts. His poem “Tintern Abbey” is considered “one of the most celebrated verse reflections on the self, the countryside, and the gathering of wisdom in time”(1) in English Literature.

Wordsworth’s verses are about contemplation and communion with nature, merging the past and present, revisiting the old and the new. The beauty of nature, along with the feelings triggered, begin to infuse childhood and adulthood memories.

Similarly, these following words from 1 Thessalonians 3, verses 11-13 in The Message, express the soul's knowing of the Presence of God, of His strength and grace infused through the lives of those who share Christ and into the lives of others:

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus . . . pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, . . . May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God . . . 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Sometimes, as Believers we reflect on our faith walk, a merging of the beginning and now, of something bigger than we are. Hopefully, we find increased wisdom in the journey, new spiritual growth, and God’s “grace infused” into us! Like Wordsworth, I desire to be disturbed by a joy deep inside my soul, a spiritual knowing of His Presence and Light and Strength that infuses my soul! - dho

(1) Interestingliterature.com 

Jesus is More!

 

My favorite Sunday School song between first and third grades was Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. We frequently sang it as we gathered in a large group before breaking into our respective classes. It's a song we rarely hear anymore, but the images of Jesus that it evoked have stayed with me over the decades. Thoughts of "things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here"  and His "words full of kindness and deeds full of grace" mixed with "scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea" while "the children stood around His knee"  filled my mind. I could almost hear the "stories of Jesus". Sweet memories of a simple time refresh my soul.

Now, life is NOT so simple, and Jesus is NOT only kindness and grace. Jesus is more! Jesus is holy and righteous, power and glory, peace and justice. Jesus is Perfect Love. As I have grown older and in my faith walk, my understanding of Jesus has grown deeper roots. While He is STILL the Jesus that told stories by the sea - Jesus is more! Jesus is rest for the soul, peace during the chaos, joy in the adversity. Jesus knows every heart, the deepest wounds, the greatest fears, the smallest hope! Jesus is the story we tell others. 

Yet, Jesus is MORE! He is all Hope and  the path to Everlasting Life. To recognize Jesus as the Messiah is to fully embrace the resurrected Lord, believing He will return as promised. When Christ returns, He will be All Power and All Glory! 

Then I say heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one know but himself. He is clothed in a robe dripped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:11-16

Holy, Holy, Holy - King of Kings and Lord of Lords ~
'Faithful and True,' You come as a warrior on a white horse marked as All Power and All Glory, Righteous and Ruler. Your robe bears witness to my soul's redemption; Your battle becomes my soul's greatest victory. Wordless, I lay face down before The Word of God, offering tears of praise and gratitude. You are Absolute Power, Perfect Love, Pure Grace. My soul whispers Holy! Holy! Holy! ~ dho
 

Unrevealed Until It’s Season

 

Hymn of Promise

words/music: Natalie Sleeth, 1986

In the bulb there is a flower;

in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: 

butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

there's a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, 

something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence,

seeking word and melody;

there's a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;

what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, 

something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; 

in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; 

in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection;

at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, 

something God alone can see.

The first time I heard this hymn was over twelve years ago, and this past Sunday we sang it again at my church. While this song is not new to me anymore, I love the words! In its simplicity there is great depth and meaning. The theme is repeated at the end of each verse ~ no matter the time, whether a time of beginning, of waiting, of doubting, God's promise to us remains. Through all the uncertainty that life brings, we can be certain of God's goodness. His tender love for us reaches through the difficulty, through the unknown. God has a plan for each of His children and desires a relationship with each of us. Even when we cannot see the reason, the answer, or the end result, God can. Trust is the key component in every relationship. Do you trust God with everything? 

Seasons of tragedy, disappointment, and uncertainty come in unexpected ways, at unpredictable times. In these moments, we must turn to God for comfort and encouragement, seek His unfailing love and faithful provisions, find His goodness and His peace! It must be enough that God alone can see!  ~dho

* previously posted on the blog/DonnaOswalt/2012

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2024 - Love of Wonder

Grinch Green is the theme while decorations of Christmas trees and bells and snowflakes set the mood. Wearing Grinch hats and sweatshirts, families and friends in groups of three or four and sometimes six or more gather round the tables ordering their favorite Grinch-green brunch delights. Of course, the Grinch is making his rounds with everyone posing for pictures. The Grinch is full of funny gestures of silly poses and gives peppermint candy canes to all. Then she quietly comes in, pushing a wheelchair, not a small one but adult size. Wearing his favorite Grinch hat and fuzzy green Grinch shirt, his mother carefully maneuvers the wheelchair, making sure it is not in the way. With her merry red Santa hat covering part of her gray hair, she slides in beside him, a table for two. In this room full of giggles and grins, this mom watches, like many times before, silently hoping her disabled adult son will not be overlooked or find familiar rejection, hoping he finds joy in the moment. As the Grinch comes close to his table, he turns, puts his hands on his hips and gives his best Grinch stare. Then, with such loving respect he slowly reaches out his white-gloved hand to shake hands with his Grinch admirer. After, the Grinch moves closer to him, puts his arm around him posing for the photos that will capture the moment. After a few more waves, the Grinch moves to the next table, and the mother smiles. In the middle of Christmas wonder, her heart finds a simple love that can’t be purchased, a kindness bigger than big. For decades this mother’s heart has felt the ache of exclusion and the anxiety of disappointment for her child who sits on the margins. Smiling and nodding to her son, she treasures this moment of kindness, pondering much in her heart. 

One quiet and silent night, Mary reflects on all the miraculous happenings. Her baby had been born in an unexpected place, without the comfort of home and family. Instead of a fitting bed, the baby had to be wrapped in cloths, placed in a food trough to sleep. Random shepherds from a field nearby had rushed to find her baby boy, telling of a heavenly message about a holy baby being born and choirs of angels singing about glory and peace. The shepherds shared their amazing stories, and soon others were wondering about this baby called “Christ the Lord” with many songs of praises rising into the night sky. At the temple, the righteous man, Simeon, and the prophetess, Anna, declared their revelations of glory and grief to come and offered thanksgiving praises. There were Magi from the East with gifts who had come to find the Messiah and worship him. So much to consider, so much majesty and mystery, possibilities of great hope and joy but also sadness, a time of both sacrifice and sword. With knowing and not knowing, Mary smiles and nods to her son, and she treasures all this wonder, pondering much in her heart. 

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Luke 2:1-38

Third Sunday of Advent 2024 - Joy of Wonder

One ordinary afternoon, as I approach the school playground, she turns and sees me. Wearing a big smile, she begins to run towards me, bounding with the simple joy a four year old finds in the moment. Nearing the sidewalk where I wait, she stops suddenly, bends down, and picks a yellow dandelion. Beyond excited with her unexpected find, she stands and runs to greet me. “I picked this just for you,” she says with such innocent delight, as if that weed is a yellow, thornless Gold Medal rose. “Thank you,” I reply as I kneel down to give her a long hug. “Isn’t it beautiful,” she says admiring it with eyes full of wonder and possibility. On that playground, in that moment, a yellow dandelion transforms into a remarkable gift of great joy. In this unanticipated joy, my heart is forever marked by the simplicity of a child’s hope and love and peace.

A baby enters a world full of chaos as love tenderly welcomes; a new day, a new way is born. Likely noble and influential but certainly Gentile, Magi travel from the East, following a star with great joy, searching for the Messiah, and bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, treasures for a King, a Priest, a Savior. When they find Him, they fall to the ground and worship Him. No one knows if these gift-bearers are philosophers, astrologers or perhaps even kings or how far or long they have traveled. These seeking Magi are filled with wonder as they repeat the prophecy of old, only to discover a remarkable gift of great Joy. This holy child will become known as the Messiah, a name spoken by prophets, a Baby announced by angels, the Son affirmed by God, a Teacher nourished by the Spirit, a Savior crucified by sin, a Redeemer resurrected by Grace, a King returning by Promise. Humanity is forever marked by the joy of Eternal Hope, the joy of Perfect Love, the joy of Everlasting Peace. -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Matthew 2:1-13

 

Second Sunday of Advent 2024 - Peace of Wonder

The night sky dances with sparkling lights, vast and full of possibility. A navigator in the Air Force during WW2, my daddy knows the geography of the heavens. On a clear night we slip outside to look up at the night sky, and he points out various constellations and planets. Two stars on the Big Dipper’s bowl form an imaginary line to the North Star, the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper. Sitting on the car’s hood, we lie back on the windshield to get the best view. Without big city lights to diminish the splendor, the whole sky boasts its best shine but with a quiet majesty. The hushed tone of the night sighs in harmony with its glory. Known and unknown galaxies far beyond fill me with wonder while greatness and goodness embrace me. Peace is born in me!

A quiet night on a hillside away from the city shepherds watch over their sheep. Suddenly an angel appears, illuminating the darkness, and God’s glory shines all around them. The shepherds feel overwhelmed. The angel says not to worry but know that this celestial announcement brings good news and great joy. A baby has been born in Bethlehem who is Christ the Lord, and you will find him lying in a manger. Suddenly, the whole sky explodes with a heavenly choir of angels singing songs of praise and joy. When the stillness of the evening returns, there is a beauty and splendor in the night sky, like leftover glory. The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem to find the child. As they stand before the baby, there is a whispered holiness of knowing and not fully understanding filling them with wonder while greatness and goodness embrace them. Truly, peace is born on earth this night! -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

* Scripture: Luke 2:8-20