The shame of her youth screamed at her from every brick, but Jesus silenced it. She had dreaded this moment for weeks, but God was so powerful. In the very place of her worst sin and deepest pain his peace billowed through her soul.
When we’re not following God’s will, our sacrifices aren’t acceptable to Him. What God wants most is for us to be broken before Him, walk with Him, know Him, and obey Him.
She raised her head and saw a squadron of fighter planes. She stretched her hand high as if she could grab hold and climb away from what she had done, from who she was.
No, you need to cry.′ He gently pressed her head to his shoulder, knocking her cap askew. ‘My mama says women need to cry every once in a while. Washes away all the weakness so you can stay strong. Always let a lady cry, she says.
So this was friendship – the pain of ripping open one’s heart rewarded with intimacy and understanding.
Oh, what one kiss could do.
Silver had its own worth, its own beauty, a quieter beauty, a beauty that reflected rather than called attention to itself. There was nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with her. Someday, a man would come along who preferred silver.
Want to pretend to dance?” “So we can hug and kiss in a socially acceptable manner?” He clapped his hand over his heart. “Shocked. I’m shocked, I tell you. The thought never crossed my mind.” “Really? It crossed mine.
More importantly, he hoped she’d see the Lord in a new light. If he could help reunite those two... well, that would be even better than winning her heart.
I don’t know.′ Wyatt frowned at the painting overhead with its patch of golden daffodils. ‘That’s truthful too. Those up there – light and joy and life. These down here – darkness and ruin and death. One isn’t truer than another. Just different aspects of truth.
Lord, no more,′ he whispered. ‘I won’t do it anymore. What I did that night was wrong, but living in shame is wrong too. You never excused my actions, but you forgave me. And I – I forgive me too.
God isn’t like a candy machine. We can’t insert a good deed and receive a blessing. Then we’d be in charge, not him.