Rhythms of Grace

Happy Valentine’s Day! Dean and I ran away last weekend to Lake Tahoe!!

I was so overwhelmed with the majesty and beauty, it didn’t matter where you looked, it was breathtaking. Everyone seemed calmer and moved at a slower pace. It made you take a deep breath and exhale all the stuff that bogs us down.  

One day we walked to the bottom of Emerald Bay and along the way we stopped and stared at so many picturesque views. One thing I was in awe of was the trees: tall, sturdy and imperfect. This one made such an impact on me.

Do you see the top where the branches are all to one side of the tree. Where they were reaching for the sun. The bark is not smooth, but broken and marred with holes showing some damage.

I feel like that tree. I enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin, but more so, I long to be in the presence of the Son, Jesus. Where I get my strength, my source of all I need. My life is far from perfect and marred with imperfections. I have holes ~ areas in my life where I struggle and do battle against things that want to destroy me. I am also strong and have deep roots. I have stood against the wind and storms, which has also smoothed out my rough edges.

This tree wasn’t the prettiest or most perfect but it stood tall and secure. How many times have I let shame, fear and doubt make me cower and be smaller.

And then there’s the beauty that is surrounding this tree.

There’s the calmness and peace that evades everywhere, even in winter, when things are not growing and green, but lay dormant…waiting. I can get impatient wanting things to happen now. This beauty took years to grow, before anyone even knew they were there. They never wondered how long it was going to be before they were noticed. They just were.

I want to be peaceful, just being and not striving.

Matthew 11:28-30 says: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message Bible)

We are all imperfect, have holes in our lives and some rough spots where the wind needs to smooth out.

The truth and love of Jesus is that He knows all of it and still chose to die for us. He has never asked us to be perfect, we put that on others and ourselves. He loves each of us and became our ultimate valentine.

I want to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace, where we are made whole and can learn how to live free. We don’t have to figure it out on our own. Where we can stop striving and rest.

That’s my hope and prayer for us, that we learn how to accept grace, walk in grace and give grace. We all need it.

All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo