Mercy

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Poison Ivy and Humility

Sometimes I think Oswald Chambers lives with me!  How DID he know?  How does it work out that the meditation for the day is just what I need?

"The grace you had yesterday will not be sufficient for today.  
Grace is the overflowing favor of God, 
and you can always count on it being available to draw upon as needed...
One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on the grace of God 
is that you can be totally humiliated before others 
without displaying even the slightest trace of anything but His grace."

I guess I'm ALMOST there.  I am a candidate for the Skin Rash Hall of Fame. Actually, I look worse than many who sent in their pictures to this site!   At the end of working in the yard Friday morning, I recognized some poison ivy and stopped pulling weeds immediately.  Apparently, not soon enough.  My eyes are slits; my cheeks are like 1/2 apples.  I am red, itchy, ugly and uncomfortable. I'm reluctant to "prove that I'm drawing on the grace of God by being totally humiliated before others" by going to church this morning.

Today's devotional reading ended with these words:  
Never hold anything in reserve.  
Pour yourself out, giving the best that you have, 
and always be poor.  
Never be diplomatic and careful 
with the treasure God gives you--
"and yet possessing all things"--
this is poverty triumphant (2 Corinthians 6:10).

P.S. It's probably no coincidence that the Sunday School lesson I studied for today 
is on the subject of "humility"...
 On the GOOD side, we had a great day yesterday
at Riverfest--a local festival.  Blue skies, perfect temperature,
and great company!
Posted on

7 comments:

  1. downsizersJune 26, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Isn't it wonderful when God talks to us through our lives? Things come before us to read that have a special meaning or something happens that fits right in to the lesson we are in the middle of. I just got over a case of poison oak. I know how you feel. I saw it as I pulled weeds and did it anyway. I washed my arms up to my elbows - didn't work. My son (Army) gets poison badly. He rubs it raw and pours bleach on it. If you can stand it, it works but not on your face of course. It is such a torment that sometimes we'll try anything. Hope you are better soon.

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  2. SandyJune 26, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    So sorry to hear you're suffering with
    poison ivy. My husband always has a bad
    reaction too. He actually tried the rubbing
    it raw and then pouring bleach on it and it
    worked for him. Praying it heals quickly.

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  3. Kathleen June 26, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    Yikes! No fun.

    I'm a huge fan of Oswald Chambers. I've long had the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest", but when I eventually got around to reading his biography I was an even greater fan. Talk about a man without pretense! I also admire his "just plain" style.

    Great post!
    Kathleen

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  4. JudyJune 26, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    I too love Oswald Chambers! My dad died on August 21, and the reading was just so 'him' that one of my sons read it at the funeral.

    Sorry about that poison ivy. I've never had it, but have a pretty good imagination! So, I'll scratch for you. I'm kind like that.

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  5. RebeccaJune 26, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Thanks, Judy! That helped a lot.

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  6. MoJune 27, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    So sorry for your poison ivy reaction. My mom gets it something horrible, too. At least you came by it honestly....WORK. Hope you get better real soon.

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  7. elaine @ peace for the journeyJune 28, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Not fun! I am so very sorry for your obvious discomfort. May the healing hand of our Lord rest upon your body this day; your mind and heart as well.

    Rest in him.

    peace~elaine

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