Not Just Another Face....

Listening to the news earlier this week, I heard about another soldier killed in Afghanistan. It hit me how we have grown so indifferent to hearing news like this. I got on the internet and looked up the story. No names were mentioned at that time. I imagine they are still contacting family and giving them that deserved respect at such a horrific time. Yet, the next day I still couldn't find much information other than a story. No names. No details. The next day, the story is "old news." I wondered if that were MY son or husband, how I would feel about that. I would want the world to know all about him...every detail of the person he was, the details of how he gave his life for his country, and how he died, who he left behind that will go without because of that sacrifice. I would want people to stop and acknowledge just what he did for them! It hit me really hard thinking about that. I discovered a website that "The Washington Post' has that keeps an updated list of those who have died since this war began. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/

I had no idea it even existed. I've been going there and clicking on some of those names and reading about these men and women. Don't they deserve that? For us to know who they were? I mean they gave their lives for us and the generations to come. Some have pictures up. Others are just a shadow outlined of a figure for their picture. That breaks my heart. I want to SEE them, know who they were, what they did, and the people that they were. I wonder who they left behind and how they are even able to pull themselves together enough to go forward. All the while, the rest of the country is going on as if they didn't even exist. It has really broken my heart. I'm keeping this link on my "favorites" so I can check in each day and acknowledge these sacrifices, as well as pray for each of these precious families.

I think the reason God tuned me in to this is because it's very much a lesson He's been showing me. I am NOT just another face in the crowd either. Both my "Sisterchicks' in Bible Fellowship Class and my "Summer Siestas" Bible study group on Tuesday nights have a resounding theme in what we are studying, and that is this. We are bringing our "stuff" (that's sister language for junk, weaknesses, and struggles) before the Lord and one another. Why? Because by sharing our lives with one another-especially our weaknesses and fears, we don't find condemnation. We find every one of us struggles with very much the same thing. By sharing, we are then turning to truth for healing, and finding contentment, encouragement, forgiveness, and GRACE. We're not believing the lies of the enemy any more! I'm not sure I've found such deep friendships as I have this past year since we left Kentucky back in 2002. It's more than a blessing....it's truly become LIFE CHANGING!

In the same way, I continue to be taken back to the greatest sacrifice ever- what Jesus did for me. I think about how many still don't know that sweet face of our Savior. He paid the ultimate price-greater than even any of our soldiers. His sacrifice is the way to eternal life...the ONLY way! How could we possibly think of ever forgetting that? How could we not run this race and encourage one another? How could we not want to press on and share Him with others? How could we not want to live our lives as a sweet offering to Him? Grace- getting what we don't deserve- God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Grace is costly, but it didn't cost me a thing. It cost Christ everything. As I show it and receive it daily, it still doesn't cost me. He paid it all. How could I NOT pour it out? I am truly learning what it means to be a vessel of His grace. It has me on my face here lately,..... and then on my feet to walk in light of that truth. He knows my name, my weaknesses, my "stuff", and yet He chooses to love me and use me anyway. GRACE!

This song, written by one of my favorite songwriters, has been my prayer the past week. Gals, let's walk in the power of His daily sufficient grace. It's not only enough...it's more than enough. It's the route to victory in our lives! Hallelujah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FribXzqHVE

"See, I have written your name on my hand..." Isaiah 49:16

Thank You, Lord for each of the names of men and women who have sacrificed for my freedoms. Thank You most of all for the sacrifice of Christ so that my freedom is eternal. Please help me to walk in light of that freedom as a vessel of Your grace to others and to myself. Let the "soundtrack" of my mind, my heart, and my life be based upon truth, not faulty assumptions. Help me to pour out my life to You completely, because You poured Yours out for me while I was not even your friend. Your grace is truly AMAZING, Father! Oh, how I love You! Amen.