The man came out of the woods reeking of alcohol and slurred his words. He talked loudly. He had told me earlier in the weeks behind us that he had been sober for 10 months. It was a lie. I called him on it and he began to cry. He was ashamed. He said he was unworthy. I told him to never say that.
I told him we had a God that was much bigger than alcoholism and any other circumstance we find ourselves in. He cried some more. I asked him to give God another chance. He didn't want to show up and lose his dignity. But God wants us to come just as we are. He says "Come to me and I will make you new". My husband and I took this mans hands and my husband prayed a beautiful prayer for this one in front of us.
It won't be easy but God promises to hold us. "Do not fear, do not be dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my Righteous Right Hand. Isaiah 42:10
Life can be so messy when we take our eyes off Jesus. But Jesus doesn't leave, we do. He is always there, waiting with open arms. So shouldn't we do the same. Standing and confronting a drunk man in love is not in my comfort zone. But then Jesus hanging on the cross for my sins was not in his comfort zone either. But he did it. He didn't walk away. We don't like to hear the dirty, messy tales of lives, but they are all over the place.
A woman in my ABF class came upon a young pregnant girl sitting on the curb of a street crying.
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My friend stopped and talked with her and heard her story. With several phone calls going back and forth, numbers were given to this young girl where help could be found. My ABF friend could have kept on driving and said a "quick" prayer for her, but she decided to stop and enter into the messiness of this girl's life. I know it was heartbreaking but I bet if asked of my friend, she would tell you she was blessed to have the opportunity to issue grace. And in her stopping to talk with the young lady on the curb, my friend's little girl was finding pieces of paper in the car writing "Jesus loves you" and giving them to the girl. Little girls issuing grace also. What a sight!
Yes, life is messy if your eyes are open and you choose to look. It's dirty and heartbreaking and in the mess, blessings and grace abound!
From Jeff Goins, the author of Wrecked, When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life
Go for broke. Choose the hard option. Do what comfort screams "no"to - what will ultimately shape you and help others. It my be counterintuitive or against what you've been taught, but do it anyway. Step into inconvenience. Welcome the anxiety that comes with doing the right choice. And be wrecked.
This is the only kind of wreck I know of where we should actually go out looking for. And in the frustration and mess and tears. . .there is love. . .incredible, unconditional love!
Go on. . .get wrecked!
I did and I wouldn't go back and change it.
I did and I wouldn't go back and change it.
If you have any inkling of stepping into inconvience and getting wrecked and being blessed, then I highly recommend you reading this book
If you do, please share with me, I would love to hear!
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If you do, please share with me, I would love to hear!
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9 comments:
I love your heart.
Reaching out to touch the mess in others lives is not easy. Your husband was led to pray for the man who fell again, but God can help him. And the girl who was given a place to receive help. So many and so few willing to get involved. Thank you for sharing at "Tell me a Story."
WOW!! Such a powerful post!!!! I must share this! There are so many "messy" lives and we as the body of Christ need to be reaching out in grace and love just as our Father reaches to us!!!!
Thank you for sharing such a powerful message this morning!!
Blessings~
Stacey
If we are willing, God will drop the people into our lives that need to be touched by our/His hands and heart. A spiritual "break-in" that can bring some to Him who could not reach out. We do the God-job.
Never know when, but do know it can/will come on my pathway. Try to do what He calls me to do. That's all that counts. [You and your husband do the same. And being blunt is a good thing... not pretending someone isn't in those tough boats, but dealing with it and then helping them get OFF those boats and into a good step of life.]
This really spoke to my heart. How many times do we just walk away from obvious need?
Great post Kris! You are so right...it is easier to pray from a distance than get involved in the lives of others. It reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan.
Thank you for this great reminder to invest ourselves not just our money or prayers and thank you for being one of those willing to 'go for broke'.
Love you friend...you are such an inspiration!
Thanks for the push... I've had that book title jotted down on a scrap of paper for a while- now I'm going to turn that scrap into a commitment- I DO want a WRECKED life. Love the line in Kisses for Katie when the brave young girl who is changing Uganda writes, "Jesus wrecked my life. And He pieced it together in a far more beautiful way..." SEems our Savior is a pro at turning messy into miraculous. Love your stories of faithfulness here. Thanks for this post today.
Thank-you Kris~
We're in special services this week at our church. This has been the speaker's emphasis. I love helping people, but getting out of my comfort zone, like driving past a woman crying, is so difficult for me. Thank you for sharing this book. I think it will be a good follow up of the revival for me.
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