our diligence

at church this past sunday the message was about Psalm 127.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

what stuck with me the most from the message was that God's grace + our diligence + God's grace = the good life.

He calls us to this life, to live it for Him and for His glory. in all that i encounter in my daily life, in all that i do throughout this life as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, acquaintance, stranger, neighbor, ... for my life to be "good" (as the Lord defines it), requires my diligence, wrapped up in God's grace. His grace allows for all that i am, have, do. if i am diligent and obedient with what He has entrusted me, and then walk forward asking for and living out of His lavish grace, i can experience life in the joy and rest of the Lord.

He has been prodding me in many ways these past few months about obedience. obeying Him even when i don't feel like it. walking in obedience requires me to know what He is telling me as well (which requires me to know His Word). so the first thing i know i am to obey is eating His bread of life (the Word) daily.

now do i do this daily?

no.

yet still, in His grace, He draws me to Himself again and again. and each time i obey, He shows me more of Himself. and He lights more of the path of diligence and obedience. and then He covers me behind and before in grace.

my obedience is motivated by my love for Him. so what do i say when i choose to ignore? when i choose to say "no"?

yet, in His great love, He still awaits me. daily calls me. daily guides me.

it's your kindness that leads to repentance,
in your love i find forgiveness,
in your mercy i find myself at your throne of grace.

i took this picture tonight because i was trying to capture how beautiful He made the sunset. i didn't realize i had gotten the stop sign in the picture until i went to upload it. He just wants me to stop and be with Him.

and I need Him to help me obey.

i'm so thankful for His unbelievable, never ending, never stopping, never giving up love.