Do you remember as a child how many times someone encouraged you to REACH FOR THE STARS? You could be anything you wanted to be! Dream big! I remember when my mother-in-law came to Iowa from Arkansas for a visit, she was smitten with our baby girl Libby. My m-i-l wasn't one to dish out compliments, but she would often tell Libby that she was going to be the next President of the United States. ;-) Her words encouraged our daughter to dream and be all that God intended her to be.
I don't know why but today I reflected back over my life. In my mind I took a long stroll down the road I owned as a child.... I thought of those stars I reached for in my youth.... most were filled with selfish ambitions and greed. Ways to promote myself and my dreams........ but then Jesus passed by and I felt the Call to His service. He gave me different dreams...... Suddenly I wasn't reaching for worldly stars, but I was reaching for the scars...... His nail-scarred hands....... I remembered the timeless hymns I heard my grandmother singing in the middle of the night...
Lord, lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me....
Make me a blessing..... Out of my life may Jesus shine......
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.....
Jesus, use me.... and oh Lord, don't refuse me.....
Somehow as I reached for His nail-scarred hands, I found they were reaching for me. He was battered and scarred so my heart could be mended and whole.
I believe God has an Army of precious souls that are reaching for the SCARS.... Hidden saints that make a difference in this world and only when we get to the OTHER SIDE will we know what their sacrifice meant.
I've reached a place in my life where I have more years behind me than ahead of me and I pray that with the years I have left, I will reach for the SCARS and make a difference in my corner of the world.
I'll close with another song my grandmother used to sing.
If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,
If I can show somebody, how they're travelling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
Chorus:
My living shall not be in vain,
Then my living shall not be in vain
If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,
If I can spread love's message, as the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
