I have accomplished much this weekend. Christmas cards mailed, final touches on the decorations, shopping is complete, house is ready to receive guests. Now it’s time to turn to my heart.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12 – NIV)

With just a few days until Christmas, I pray that my heart will be prepared for the celebration of the Christ Child. I pray the same for you.

Today’s repeat blog post is about trolls, car shopping and greeting cards. Enjoy!

Trolls

My Ford Escape has yet another problem that my husband cannot fix. It needs to head into the shop and so, after eight years and 174,000+ miles, we’ve decided that perhaps we need something a little newer and more reliable.

I saw this car…what do you think? Should it be on the top of my shopping list? If you can’t tell, there are trolls plastered all over this car.

I have never enjoyed car shopping. I love to look at cars, but please don’t ask me to go and search a lot filled with hundreds of cars to find the perfect one. And as if that isn’t enough, my husband brought me a whole magazine filled with information about cars to look through and choose one I liked. UGH!

I do the same thing with greeting cards. I’m overwhelmed by the sheer number and I can’t focus on what I need exactly. So I usually choose the first one I pick up (unless the verse is completely off base). Unfortunately, my husband has gotten some pretty strange cards from me through the years. Some a little more feminine than they should have been. But it’s the thought, isn’t it?

Had I been sitting at Jesus’ feet during His dissertations on the “lost” articles, I’m not so sure I would have enjoyed those parables. You know the lost sheep and the lost coin in Luke 15? My mind would have gone to the fact that I don’t like looking for items and perhaps He would have lost me.

But then He would have captured my attention when He spoke of the lost son. I can relate to that. Not in my physical life, but in my spiritual life. I would have understood the importance of restoration. I would have been drawn to the fact that one lost is too many. I would have rejoiced over the return of the son.

I would have found joy in the fact that the Father waited and accepted the son upon his return.

Like the son, I’ve wandered. Gone spiritually where I should never have stepped. Spent some time in the bondage of sin. Found myself lost in the pleasures of this world.

But also like the son, when I “came to my senses,” (Luke 15:17) I returned to the Father who welcomed me home with open arms. He has forgiven and forgotten my past transgressions. His grace and love have covered me. And I heard my Father say, “we have to celebrate and be glad, because this sister of yours was dead and is alive again; she was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:32 – NIV – my emphasis)

Oh friend, there is no reason to live in a lost state. Our Father in heaven is waiting with open arms to welcome you. He is ready to share His grace and love with you. God’s forgiveness runs deeper than any of us could ever imagine. Is it time to accept it?

And to my Christian friends, if there is sin in your life that seems to have burdened your heart, why not run home? Your Father is waiting for you as well. Accept His forgiveness and grace and you too will come to know the Father’s celebration of your life.

Of course I’m reminded of a song. One that you’ll recognize and will able to sing without the benefit of music. Chris Tomlin’s version is perhaps overused, but it still carries the message of finding freedom in Christ and the joy of being found. I can never get enough of God’s grace…can you?

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
 

Chorus:
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
 

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine[i]

If you’d like to listen to this song, you can click here.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] Words and Music by John Newton, John P. Rees, and Edwin Othello Excell. Arrangement and additional chorus by Chris Tomlin and Louis Giglio. Amazing Grace, Public Domain. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), 2006.