Carrying a basket in from the line I pass Zeke and Tazara playing in the sun-filled lounge. Sorting and folding and putting away little dresses, pants, togs and towels. Tears spontaneously wet my eyes as Steve Green's simple portrait of the gospel touches the mundane recesses of my heart. Overcome by the beauty and depth of God's love. The melody sings on to the words of John 5:13: "Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends."
My worship filled laundry folding is interrupted by shouts and grunts as Zeke and Tazara argue and maliciously hurt one another. I look at them in bewilderment thinking "Really guys?! Are you for real? Do you even hear this song!?! Do you even get it?" My thoughts quickly turn to "Wow, how like me. You died to set me free and yet I still walk enslaved so often. I wound myself with the very lies and behavior and words that you paid royally with your own blood to defeat. Your love reaches to the heavens and I forget to ask for some to extend an inch worth.." I wonder if God sometimes watches the pain and confusion and struggle of his children and thinks: "really Honeychild? I've got all these overwhelming gifts and blessings for you to take hold of and your struggling there in your mess of lies and worry, anger and unbelief..." Thanks for your patience and tenderness Abba. Teach me how to take hold of the riches that are mine in Christ! I can't offer to my children or husband or friends etc what I don't first take hold of and know for myself.
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