Devotions of Grace

I grew up listening to music. My parents sang in a small church singing group called ‘The Trio’, and many of my Friday and Saturday nights consisted of listening to them practice. I remember my mama’s voice so clearly as she sang songs such as ‘Here I Am’, ‘When He Was on the Cross’, and ‘He’ll Do It Again’. Because of my family’s history with music it wasn’t much of a surprise when I took to the stage. I was 15 years old; my friend at church wanted me to sing a special because she was, and so I did. There it began. I sang ‘He’ll Do It Again’ because I knew the words having heard my mom sing it so many times. While I was singing, God snapped his fingers at me. I began to see the hearts of the individuals who were listening, I watched as tears fell from the eyes of believers who needed to hear that God could indeed to a work in their life again. I realized that those people weren’t relating to a little 15-year-old girl. What could I even begin to offer them? No, these people were allowing the spirit to minister them through the words I sang..

‘You may be down and feel that God as somehow forgotten that you are faced with circumstances you can’t get through, and right now it feels there’s no way out and you’re going under, but God’s proven time and time again..He’ll take care of you…and He’ll do it again.’

And so my singing began. God birthed a passion in me to share Him to people through song. That’s not to say I have sung to some huge audience, I haven’t. I never have and I more than likely I never will, but that’s never been my desire. That’s also not to say that I’ve always used my voice perfectly, not at all. The Lord has allowed some humbling lessons on pride to come my way a few times. But, I do say that today my heart’s desire is to still be a vessel that God can use to allow his spirit to touch a heart through song.

I was recently asked, ‘Why do you sing?’, and as many of you would answer…with the phrase, ‘I sing because I’m happy’…it came to my mind as well. Though it may be cliché, and though some may say it’s a staged answer, it’s true. “I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I am free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.”

Let me explain. I sing because I’m happy. For a good little while I lost my song, I didn’t sing. My spirit was broke, along with my heart and my mind. I felt I didn’t have a good reason to get up in front of an audience and sing about a Savior that I even questioned the reality of. I didn’t want to sing praises to God. The devil had so boxed me up that my perspective was only able to focus on my present, and at that point in my life, my present was pretty bleak. So I lost the song, but the song didn’t lose me. You see, Jesus Christ is my song. So on a Thursday night I made a decision to continue walking with my Savior, and sometime after that I stood on a stage and sang ‘If You Knew Him’ to a few people who must have related to a soul that had searched elsewhere, but still found her God to be faithful, just as He said He would be.

Yeah, I sing because I’m happy, and I’m happy because I chose to be…on a Thursday night…on North Road..in Cottondale Florida, knelt at a hand-me-down couch, I chose Jesus, and asked Him to make Himself real to me, and He has.

I sing because I’m free. I put myself in such a dark place. Life offered me a beautiful mess, and I almost gave in to self-pity, doubt, insecurity, and fear. I was truly imprisoned within my mind. Because of my self-imposed prison I almost lost sight of the keys that could loose me, but because of God’s ever persistent and never-failing love, I didn’t. And on a Thursday night…on North Road..in Cottondale Florida, kneeling at an old hand-me-down couch, I chose freedom. And He who the Son sets free..is free indeed.

It’s amazing that my Savior knows me by name, and calls me His own. It’s humbling that God is concerned about even the smallest of details about me, but He is. God is good, and He makes me happy…so I sing.

Why do you sing? Are you humming a tune? You may be arguing with me and saying ‘Well, I can’t sing at all!’, but in tune, or out of tune, we are all singing the song of our life. Like the one who marches to the beat of a different drum…you may have your own style of music altogether, but it’s still your song. The song of your life.

Some songs are so depressing that I have to change radio stations. Don’t let that be your song. Some songs are so jumbled together it’s confusing to even try to pay attention to. Don’t let that be your song. And then, there are those who’s harmony is beautiful, who’s tempo soothes your soul, who’s message calls to the spirit within you…I want that to be my song. I want my life to be in harmony with our Savior. I want my life song to be calming to a troubled heart, so that they can see Jesus in me. I want my song’s message to be clear, and I want that message to sing of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, for a soul such as yours.

We’re all singing a song. Maybe you haven’t found your reason to sing, maybe you’re still searching for something or someone to try to be in harmony with. But our soul can only be in harmony with its creator. Your song can only be in tune with Jesus Christ. I found my song. “And I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I am free..His eye is on the sparrow..and I know that He watches me.”

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2012 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

“Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

When I was a teenager one of the ‘things’ to do was fill out these huge questionnaires about yourself, and then email it to your friends. They asked questions about everything; your favorite color, birthday, best friend, favorite food…when was your favorite day of the week? I always chose Sunday. As a teenager I absolutely loved church and was involved in every way possible. I sang in the choir, was in youth, I went to Sunday school…I loved it.

As I got older, things began to change. Life made it difficult to be able to be as involved as I had been in the past. As I began to pull out of church it became easier to find more excuses so I wouldn’t have to be involved. And then, the greatest excuse of all, I had babies. 6 days of the week I can find shoes and socks for my daughters, but let a Sunday morning roll around, and they impressively disappear. It’s easier to give in on mornings like that and say.. ‘let’s just stay home, let’s spend some quality family time together’. So you start staying home a couple of Sundays. To make yourself feel better you read your Bible, maybe throw in a couple of extra chapters. You satisfy that nagging feeling by telling yourself that you still maintain your ‘relationship’ with God. After all, at least you study the word of God, which is more than the hypocrites that attend church regularly do. You can point out the members of the church that claim to be holy and devoted Christians, only to hear them talk about their crazy weekends with this or that person, that definitely wasn’t in what one might call ‘right standing’ with God. Why would anyone want to associate with those hypocrites?

But the word of God is clear; it really doesn’t leave much room for debate, though millions of scholars through centuries of time have spent many hours on their theories. The book of Hebrew reads in chapter 10 verse 25..”Not forsaking the assembling of yourself together.” Though I’ve enjoyed many debates throughout my life, this really can’t be taken too far out of context. Come together with others and provide encouragement and support for each other.

Jesus desires his people to be with each other, agree together, and bind together. There is just something about believers coming together, unified, and approaching the throne of God. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20.. “For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.”

I have gone through trials in my life that literally drew me to my knees in pure defeat. I can clearly recall the brokenness that kept me from even forming the words to pray. In those times my friends, my God given family, would physically pick me up and join with me in prayer. In the midst of my storm, through hurt and bitterness, I could feel the peace that passes all understanding. My family carried me to Jesus when I wasn’t able.

Forsake not. In other words, GO…go to church. You may not feel like going, you may not want to go at first, but that doesn’t change the solid fact that we are to go anyway.

In saying all that, I’m sure not disregarding that there are those who have been hurt in church. I certainly have. They are hard wounds to heal, they are deep. Those kinds of wounds cause you to desire to seek God from the safety of your living room. I’ve done that. I’ve felt the awesome presence of God in my living room, but being cast down and hurt does not change Hebrews chapter 10:25, “Forsake not”…Go to church.

So, I go to church. I believe God has finally lead me to a church home after several years of not having one. It’s a nice feeling. I stood beside one of those members of my family I had written about earlier, and worshipped our amazing Savior. My spirit felt renewed, and my heart felt lighter. So tomorrow, I’m going to church. I will not forsake the assembling of myself together with other Christians. Even on the days I don’t feel like it…the cold mornings where it’s much nicer to sit by the fire… but my spirit needs renewing. So I go to church.

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2012 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

“Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.” Revelation 19:7

“…and His bride has prepared herself.” I remember the day I was married. I was so nervous before I walked down the aisle. I was scared and excited, anxious and calm all at once. I had dreamed of that day for years, and finally it had come. For all the uncertainty of what life would hold for me in those moments, I remember that I felt beautiful. I had prepared myself for my groom. My hair had been curled and pinned just right within my veil. My makeup had been done with precious detail. A dear friend at that time had helped me into a beautiful gown, and all the traditions were followed…with something old, and something new.. something borrowed and something blue. I felt radiant, just as a bride should, because I had prepared myself just as a bride should.

The word refers to the church as the bride of Christ. There are beautiful scripture that depicts the love and return of our Savior as the bridegroom coming after his bride. The depictions are beautiful in my mind’s eye, maybe because I have been a bride, maybe because I have experienced the reception of all my preparation. My groom’s face told the story that it all hadn’t been in vain.

But our Savior isn’t looking for an outward display of beauty. He is searching for a pure heart and a clean soul.

“She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white–for the fine linen is (signified, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people).” Revelation 19:8

Though the theorist of our time would like to depict Christianity as having ‘many’ ways to God in simply being a ‘good person’. That isn’t what Jesus taught. The word of God teaches us that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. The word also teaches us that yes, we should be a good people, but being a good person should be a result of a heart that is obedient to Jesus.

I have been told on several occasions that I am old fashion. To some that may be offensive, but in my way of thinking, it’s just right. I can’t afford to grow lax in my convictions because my bridegroom hasn’t returned. The preparations are still being made.

What is your focus in life? Are you living day by day to fulfill your own desires? Do you do what feels right in the moment? Or are you anticipating that your present decisions affect your future? Are you preparing yourself for the bridegroom?

No man knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return. There aren’t any mathematical equations that can help us determine the day, but the word does reveal through prophecy that the day is drawing near. And because of this, I urge you, if you haven’t began to prepare yourself, do so today. Make the decision to follow Jesus Christ, to live a life that honors Him.

A bride doesn’t just throw herself together a few minutes before the wedding. She makes plans, she needs help. She takes time and adorns herself in a beautiful and fine gown. A clean soul, a pure heart, a mouth that speaks words her groom can recognize, this is how the bride of Christ should appear. And all our preparation will be worth it when we hear our bridegroom say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2012 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

My Memaw hand wrote her recipe for her sweet potato pie and gave it to me as a gift. I treasure that recipe. That sweet potato pie was my favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas. All the other grandchildren loved them as well, but Memaw made me feel as if she made them just for me. For her to write the recipes out for me was so special. I treasure them even more since she passed away.

Memaw was a simple woman. She didn’t travel, she preferred to stay home. She went to town once a week to buy her groceries and go to the bank. She kept her house meticulously clean, and she was a fine cook. She hung her laundry on the line, and ironed every outfit. She kept a garden and loved her dogwood tree. Memaw was simple. Some would have called her different, but she will always be the most precious woman in my life. Memaw was good. I never heard her speak bad about anyone. I would complain to her about certain things going on, and her response was always the same…just pray for them. I would sit in the kitchen and watch Memaw cook. She would let me help her roll the biscuits, and we would talk. I dreamed many big dreams in that kitchen..I went from being an astronaut to a veterinarian..never one time did she tell me I couldn’t do it. Memaw always told me I could do whatever I set my mind to. She always told me she was proud of me…and she loved me.

I miss her. I have my sweet potato pies in the oven and their fragrance takes me back to Alford…and Memaw’s house…paper dolls…and bicycles.

So much has changed since I lived in that little house on 2nd Ave. My family isn’t the same. This morning my house is quiet. I’m sitting on my couch and I can hear the wind through the trees. But instead of focusing on the quiet in the house, I hear the Spirit speaking to me.. ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’

In all life’s changes… in all of its uncertainty… in the painful memories of things past, and in the hope of a beautiful tomorrow..there is this one blessed consistency; God. There is a Savior in heaven who knows about all our life’s changes. He isn’t outside the reach of understanding. God knows.

The amplified version of Psalms 46:10 speaks to me… ‘Let be and be still, and know that I am God.’

Let life’s changes come, but God will remain the same. Let the pain hurt, but God will remain the same. Let His peace overwhelm you, and God will remain the same. Let a heart-break in two, and God will remain the same. Let that same heart be mended, and still, God remains the same.

So this morning I took time to remember the simple things.. Memaw, sweet potato pies…and in the simpleness I found my Savior speaking to me. Today, take time to know He is God, He alone deserves all thanks for this day.

Becky Nixon sings so beautifully my favorite line in a song.. “Paul preached that all is lost, save knowing Christ.” And that’s really all it’s about. It’s simple to know Him, we just have to be still enough to recognize Him. He alone can speak to your soul so gently. Simply, some might say, through sweet potato pies, and memories of my Memaw.

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2011 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

I’ve spent the day with memories… things that haunt my present. I’ve picked up several things..objects…that tell the story of a life that isn’t mine anymore. Memories are deceiving at times, because they call to life old emotions. Some emotions can be good, but when those memories remind you of failure…regret…loss…they can be deceiving. That emotion can creep into the reality of the present moment, and make you feel as if that emotion remains real…that you continue to fail and cause regret and loss.

So I found a way to move on from the past that recalls hurt. I’ve began to throw it away. I’m letting go of the reminders of poor decisions. These memories were made so solidly that they even tend to remain in the house that I call a home They are painful reminders of poor decisions. So, I began to pray. My present bears no semblance to the past I knew, and the reminders felt as if they were holding me back. I prayed and my Father heard me, and His answer was simple…leave it behind. So now, those memories that crept into the corners of the place that I call home can stay, because I’m trading houses.

We all have a past, that’s true with every individual. Some stories are easier to read when they are reviewed, but there are several of us who look back at the decisions we made and we ask ourselves.. ‘Really?…I really did that? That really happened?’ Reminders of our past can cause us to feel as if we are still there, which is why it’s so important to let go of the things that cause us to look back.

Therefore if any person is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has passed away; behold, all things are new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

This is the beauty of allowing God to take complete control of your life. He begins to work out circumstances that bind you. He begins to call to life an individual that He created for victory. Only God can restore a willing vessel. He can patch and mold that vessel so that he becomes more like Him…until the vessel you become no longer resembles its surroundings..and then He’ll give you a new home. He’ll move you from glory to glory.

Today I refuse to be reminded of a past that would love to haunt me and remind me of my failures…I’m allowing God to restore me…to mold this vessel into something He can use for His glory. I’m trading houses. I plan to fill that house with testimonies of praise. I plan to fill that house with a song of a Redeemer who is able to restore even the most broken of vessels. Yes, I’m trading houses.

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2011 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

I remember the days my daughters were born in beautiful detail. The circumstances of my life were different with each but the end result was the same. I can’t put into words the overwhelming love I felt when my eyes beheld those little faces. It was as if the final piece of this puzzle that I had been working on had finally come together.

I had already developed a relationship with this little person. I had felt their first movements deep within me…I had laughed at their movements…I had cried at the uncertainty of what life held for us. I deeply loved these little beings without ever having laid eyes on them…so when I did actually see them…the story felt complete but at the same time it felt as if it was just beginning. These were extensions of my own person…little creations that I had been allowed to help bring to life. Actually seeing them only magnified my love.

Dottie Rambo’s lyrics of, “We Shall Behold Him”, probably best put into words how creation laid the foundations of the most grand entrance this world will ever know. “The sky shall unfold, preparing His entrance. The stars shall applaud Him with thunders of praise”. Everything that we know has prepared us for that day. Just as my pregnancies allowed me to experience my children before I ever met them…this life is preparing me for that day. All that I see in His creation will give way to our Savior and all the joys and sorrows…what happiness I had known…the sorrow that I was sure would shatter my heart…it will pale in comparison to the day my eyes behold my Savior. “The angel will sound the shout of His coming. And the sleeping will rise from their slumbering place. And those remaining shall be changed in a moment, and we shall behold Him then face to face”.

I have found myself telling my best friend several times that I am ready for Jesus to come back. My heart longs to go home. The longer I stay, the clearer it becomes that this world is not my home. There’s a stirring in my being for a land that I’ve yet to see. There’s a passion that I have for my Savior that can only be truly fulfilled on the day my eyes behold Him.

Are you ready to behold the Savior? Is your heart’s desire to meet this King face to face? Or are you content to stay? Have you grown to love this world or does your heart yearn for a home that you’ve yet to visit?

I’ve noticed a complacency among those who call themselves “Christians”. They take the name of Christ without taking the responsibility that name entails. They act like the world we live in.. instead of being separate…alien. They blend in with their surroundings so well that I’m afraid they may be left behind with it. Now isn’t the time to lose your passion. Now isn’t the time to grow lax in your convictions. Now is the time to press in and seek our Savior with such ferventness. Because soon and very soon we shall behold Him. And all those that questioned His existence…all those who were double minded in their devotion…they will behold Him as well. Because one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

On that day these eyes shall behold the One whom my soul longs for. My soul shall respond to it’s deepest love. My spirit will encounter it’s Peace Speaker. And all the weary days and trials will be gone in an instant…because I will have beheld Jesus Christ the King. In some way a puzzle will have been completed. The pieces will then fit together. I will finally be Home with my Creator…but then the story that I wrote in this life will begin.

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2011 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

Deuteronomy 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Can you imagine how the children of Israel felt to be freed from Pharaoh?  And I’m sure they had to wonder, why us?  I can only imagine how unworthy they felt, yet how grateful they were for their freedom.

Have you ever thought WHY does the Lord love me? Why would He give His only Son to die for me?  Why would Jesus Christ be willing to lay down His life for me?  I know I do and I feel so unworthy of this gift!  How do I deserve to receive freedom from the sins of this world and eternal life in heaven?  Honestly, I don’t deserve anything I have received, nor does anyone else, but through the love, grace & mercy of our Lord; we have been redeemed, bought with a price, and freely given life!

Being redeemed has been on my mind this week.  Do you know what it means to be redeemed?  According to an online dictionary, this is one definition of redeemed: Adj.1.redeemed - saved from the bondage of sin.  

But is that all it means to you?  To me, this is an amazing part of being redeemed….to be free from the hold of the sins of this world.

Although being free from sin is an awesome feeling, I believe there is so much more to being redeemed.  If I am redeemed, then I have been grafted into the family of God, and am now a child of God.   And being a child of God, I now have the love of my Heavenly Father and know He is there to guide and direct my every step with love and compassion.  I also have mercy & grace available to me to help me as I daily struggle to defeat the trials and temptations the devil throws at me while traveling on this journey.  And if I should fall, stumble or even fail, I am given unending forgiveness to wash me clean, pick me up and put me back on the right track.  And on those days where the devil reminds of how unworthy I am, the Comforter is there to wrap me up while pouring out support and encouragement.  Being redeemed carries so many wonderful blessings: salvation, love, mercy, grace, peace, eternal life, unmerited favor, forgiveness, comfort………too many to name but all freely given to His children.

So with all these wonderful gifts we receive, why is it that we cannot keep from murmuring and complaining?  Just like the children of Israel, we forget where we have been brought from.  We begin to look at our situation and forget who’s in control.  So we throw ourselves a pity party, grumbling, mumbling, and wondering where God is.  Why do we let the devil brainwash us with such stupid thoughts……God has not left us, will not leave us and is only a whisper away!  Stop all the whining! Get back on course, run your race and kick the pity party out the door.

So as I have pondered these thoughts this week, I have had to remind myself of all of these points.  Remind myself that MY REDEEMER LIVES!!!  He’s not dead, He’s not in the grave or a golden image, and He’s alive and taking care of business.  My redeemer lives……does yours?

Author: Michelle Drummond

Copyright © 2010-2011 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”  – Matthew 8: 23-27

When I was 13 years old I experienced God in such a real way.  I remember falling on an altar of repentance and standing up a glorious new creation.  Life appeared sweeter and love felt more rich.  Even 15 years later I can still recall the overwhelming abundance of His presence.  I couldn’t grasp why anyone wouldn’t want to experience this Savior called Jesus.  My friends thought that something had to be wrong with me.  They didn’t understand the change that had taken place in my life.  I didn’t want to listen to the same music.  I didn’t want to watch the same things on television.  I was called a “fanatic” a time or two.  Several people would label me as being “holier than thou” a few times.  But at the core of the matter there wasn’t any substance that could alter my stand.  I knew that I had fallen in love with Jesus.  I knew that I couldn’t offer Him ”lip service”.  I had experienced Jesus Christ and my life could never be the same.

A few years ago I had the opportunity of working with a youth group.  I wanted them to know Jesus in the ways that I knew Him.  I would teach lesson after lesson and pour my heart into service after service but it didn’t seem as if they were grasping what I felt.  In prayer about this, God helped me to understand something.  These young people had heard of God’s presence and they had seen people in God’s presence.  They knew about Him because they had been taught about Him.  They sang songs about him because they had learned the words to the songs…but they had yet to have a personal experience with Him.  They hadn’t sought after Him.  God truly began to deal with my heart about those who knew of Jesus and those that knew Him.   There is such a difference.

As a little girl I listened to my Mama sing, “Peace Speaker.”  I can still hear her voice as she sang these words, “I know the Peace Speaker.  I know Him by name.  I’m glad I know the Peace Speaker.  He controls the wind and waves.  When He says, peace be still, they have to obey.  I know the Peace Speaker, yes, I know Him by name.”  I thought it was a beautiful song then because I loved the words.  It seemed awesome to be able to say, “I know the Peace Speaker.”  But then, I walked through one of the greatest storms of my life.  I fought Satan over the stability of my mind until I was weak.  I stood in my living room and almost decided to give up and let my life turn out as it would.  I felt that I had tried and failed over and over again.  The winds were too strong for me to maintain a good grasp on my understanding.  The waves were threatening to overtake the solid foundations I thought I had created…and then I decided to let go and allow my Savior the opportunity to calm the troubled waters.  Once I became still enough to hear His voice…once all of my attempts at creating calm had failed…I began listening for the Peace Speaker.  I walked to the Savior and explained what I was going through.  I explained all my fears about the storm…and then my Savior stood up.  Jesus Christ walked to the bow of my vessel and took control of the situations that caused my heart to fear.  He commanded, “Peace, be still!”…and peace became still.  Jesus only had one question.  “Why are you fearful?”  My Spirit feels as if Jesus was saying, “I’m on board this ship with you.  I am yours and you are Mine and because of this reason, I am not going to let anything happen to you.”  But instead of leaving them by their self to prove that He would see them through the storm, He arose and spoke to peace.

Sunday night I stood next to my best friend and with my hands and heart raised in surrender to my Savior, I praised this Peace Speaker.  I sang this song with a greater understanding because now my soul had experienced Jesus speaking to the storms in my life.  It was no longer a pretty song.  It was a testimony…an experience.

Once you experience Jesus Christ…life will become so much sweeter.  He wont force Himself on you but He will answer if you call out of a sincere heart.  Have you experienced Him or do you only know of His power?  Have you experienced the peace that passes all our earthly understanding or do you only sing the lines in the song?  Have you experienced the freedom of the Man that breaks the chains that bind you or have you only read about Paul and Silas and thought it was a nice story?  I’m here to testify that He is better felt than told.  “O taste and see that the Lord is good…” -Psalm 34:8.

If there are storms in your life simply call on the Lord.  Allow the Peace Speaker to take command of your ship.  And then witness as peace lays to rest…watch the winds settle over your sea of life.  The waves wont over take you.  They can’t.  They have to obey when Jesus calls for peace to be still.

Author: Britney Wilkes

Copyright © 2010-2011 Devotions Of Grace Blog – All Rights Reserved

I was cleaning house this morning when 33Miles song, “One Life To Love”, came on. The Spirit began dealing with my heart about the message in this song. The lyrics of the chorus are, “You only get just one time around/You only get one shot at this/One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t want to miss/One day when it’s all said and done/I hope you see that it was enough/This one ride, one try, one life to love”.

I’m reminded of my Mama. On the night she died my family was with her in her bedroom. She was struggling to breathe. In the moments before she lost consciousness she looked at my Dad, my sister, and myself for a long time a piece. I wonder what she was thinking. I wonder if she knew that those looks were the last that she would see of her family on this side of life. I wonder if given another opportunity if she would have done things differently. We don’t know…because that night would be her last. Her one shot had been taken. Her last ride was over.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow: For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away”. James 4:14.

Mama died 11 years ago. In ways it doesn’t feel that I’ve turned around good…but 11 years are gone. Our family has moved on. “Circumstances change”…as she often said. Today, I’m grateful for that last look. I like to think she was telling us to live. Live today while we have the opportunity. James was right…we don’t know what tomorrows circumstances will hold. Tomorrow could very well be our last. Would you be able to look back and say that your life was enough?…Or are you so consumed with worries and fear that you can’t enjoy your present?

I counsel in a prison. I can’t tell you the number of men that have told me they never knew how to enjoy their life, so they would search for other means to create their happiness. Some men left their wives and children because they felt they had missed something in life. They now cry in my office because they missed their children growing up and their wife belongs to another man. Other men tell me they chased a dream of living a big life of riches only to be consumed by greed. And now they cry in my office because they don’t even own the blue uniform they are wearing. There have even been a few that cry because they had been hurt in the past someway…and because of that hurt they were afraid to love again. So they remained alone until alone turned into being lonely. Then lonely turned to a bottle of alcohol. Then the alcohol clouded all rational judgements and they lost their freedom to look for happiness in a free world.

I hear so many stories of people who are waiting to begin living one day when they have this or that. They will be happy one day when their dreams become reality. But what if one days dream never comes? Will you never have been happy?

God has given us such a beautiful gift. Today. He created this day for you and I to live and praise Him. He commanded the sun to rise this morning and shine its light so that we could enjoy the beauty of living. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it”. Psalm 118:24. I WILL rejoice! Sometimes we have to decide to be happy despite our circumstances. Today all the dreams you have dreamed may not have come to pass…but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy with what you do have today.

So, Mom’s…don’t get so angry when the kids spill their drink and cheerio’s in the back seat. Clean it up later but take the opportunity to sing loud with them now. Dad’s…there may be fishing trips and nights out with the boys that would prove to be a wonderful time…but the kids are only little once…and one day it won’t be as important to them that you are watching their game.

Live your life and learn to love your life. We really do only get one shot. We have got to make it count.

Author: Britney Wilkes

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