Grateful

Hello sweet readers.

I have been absent for many weeks and thought I would explain why:)

Soon after our amazing Women’s Conference with Lisa Harper (more on that later) I became ill.  I developed a strep infection (of all things!) and it   became systemic, effecting my whole body.

I have been in and out of the hospital several times, but I am now home…and quite grateful!

Having spent many years in hospitals with my Mom I can say that at times, more harm than good happens there.  Please don’t get me wrong, I am so appreciative of hard working, caring Doctors and nurses…I have met many…but…with the long chain of people involved in the care giving (many changing hands) accidents are bound to happen, and do.

I am moving a bit slow, but beginning to feel better each day. With a collapsed vein in my right arm, I still have pain when I try to draw for too long…but it feels so good to doodle after at least 3 weeks off. It’s so easy to take much of life for granted.

Set backs are always opportunities to see more clearly:)

I have the most beautiful family of Bible Study Sisters who have been supporting me with such love, care and prayer.

One of our groups is studying with Beth Moore (Entrusted) while the other is studying “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer.

Before I felt up to drawing, my friend Shannon sent me song lyrics written out by one of the members in her small group. She knows me so well, because although I could not write yet, she gave me something to ponder and pray about while I lay in bed:) Just what I needed❤

The song was this:

“At the Foot of the Cross” by Don Moen

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me your love
Through the judgment you received

And you’ve won my heart
And you’ve won my heart, now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me

And you’ve won my heart
And you’ve won my heart, now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross

And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross

And you’ve won my heart
And you’ve won my heart, now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down

I trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down

I lay every burden down, every burden
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

Only through Christ’s death on the cross, can I pass through death to life.

Like a caterpillar that has been transformed…every characteristic of the beautiful butterfly is within the wormlike crawler. I am that crawler…but within me, (through Christ) I have the power to fly…and I am made new.

My ashes can be made beautiful, whole, Holy…and this forgiveness that I wear should be “carried” like a crown…a precious, righteous, miraculous gift.

Once forgiven and new we can stand tall… confident in our birth right and heritage. Instead of carrying the burden of shame and guilt, our Father desires us to walk tall, fully His… a daughter of the King…crown and all.

I love the image brought to mind from this song…

“wear forgiveness like a crown.”

Lay that guilt and shame down and pick up your beautiful crown. In Christ you are forgiven, adopted, redeemed, Holy, blameless, chosen, and LOVED. Stand tall.

This comes from nothing we can “do” or achieve.  These are the crowns we will one day lay at the feet of Jesus..with a grateful heart…For all we are and all we have is His.

Rev. 4:10-11

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

I am so grateful to be on the mend.  See you again soon!