People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
I made it to step class at the gym on Monday and about half way through I thought I might die. Seems drop squats and side lunges aren’t as easy as they look when you’re carrying a whole lot of extra kilos. So I feel heavy and awkward and slow but I guess that’s why I’m there. And I could be so mad at myself about it. And my gym clothes, well they’re old and baggy because they are what fit at the moment and I’m going for maximum coverage. My gym shoes are worn because we’ve done many a sweaty and teary workout together but they’ve been gathering dust of late. So I get there self conscious and a bit embarrassed at my lack of lycra and all those mirrors. I get there even though I want to be at home and hidden and doing something I like to do. But I know that in the end what’s gonna make the difference isn’t the staying at home, it isn’t the getting mad at myself and it isn’t weather I look the part or even feel the part. What will make the difference is the showing up and doing the work out even with my old gym clothes, my hair all over and the hole showing in my shoe.
You might feel at the moment like your the one showing up not looking or feeling the part, the one slow and stiff and three steps behind everyone else, limping along not even sure your gonna make it to the end. The one ready to cry into your towel at any moment and so mad with yourself that you haven’t got it all together yet, mad that you’ve made mistakes and ate too much cake and chose fear at times instead of brave.
You might be fooled into thinking that these are the things that matter to God.
But they aren’t
Because you’re doing the thing that matters. You’re showing up.
And what I see is all of you amazing ladies who show up constantly. In church, in your families, in your work, in His presence, trusting, hoping, believing, nerves raw sometimes, hearts open and doing the next thing you need to do even when it’s hard and heart breaking. I see you serving and being Jesus to people, loving your children, choosing brave more often than fear, finding joy, doing so much more than you see.
Yet we fret because we haven’t arrived.
But we needn’t
Because Christ has arrived,
“The God in the manger who makes Himself bread for us near starved. – – – -the Saviour in swaddling’s who makes Himself the robe of righteousness for us worn out” Ann Voskamp
Christ came
For the ones who dare to show up weak and heavy laden
For the ones who dare to show up bowed down
For the ones who dare to say yes to Him, just as they are.
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Mark 5:27 & 28
We show up in anticipation of what God can do, we put one foot in front of the other, we hope in His goodness, we long for His presence and we look for the water to turn into wine.
When we show up – – – Hope gets the last word.
Love to you all today
Tracey xx
www.waterintowineblog.com
Church Christmas Lunch
Sunday the 20th of December straight after the morning service. This is a always a great time of sharing delicious food, hanging out together and an opportunity to invite family and friends along as well.
To ensure we have enough of everything I’m making a list. If you could let me know by email or txt what you’ll be bringing along please. Not sure? Here are some suggestions (enough for 6-8 people) BBQ chicken, cold meat platter, fruit platter, pasta dish, salad, bread rolls, drinks, cake, slice.