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What’s in your wallet??
When I first read this scripture, I closed my Bible, shook my head and wondered what I was supposed to do with it. What exactly was I supposed to write about? What could I say? After much prayer, meditation and lots of FREAKING OUT, He showed me exactly what the verse meant and what I had to say.
As I was getting ready to go to Kenya I was frantically looking for my birth certificate. As I was going through a box in my closet (hey, I just bought the house in 2005, I haven’t gotten around to unpacking everything yet!!), I found a business card from a Cobb County detective. 10 years ago I was a victim of a serious crime, 10 years ago I was handed a business card as I left the emergency room, 10 years ago I had a case number that I often referred to…10 YEARS AGO…why the heck do I still have this card in an old wallet??
In the Bible, the ashes left behind after a fire had burned out were, understandably, a sign of destruction. When people experienced troubles, they sometimes sat on an ash pile (Isaiah 58:5) or put ashes on their heads (2 Samuel 13:19) as a sign of mourning. Just as these widows and children in Kenya are covered in ashes, 10 years ago I was too. But God promises his people that their mourning will end; in place of ashes, they will be well-groomed with oil, a symbol of joy and celebration. Just as He promises, the crisis, mourning and turmoil did end and all that’s left are memories…and this business card.
In James, we are told to look after orphans and widows (1:27) and that mercy triumphs over judgment (2:13). If friends judged me back then instead of showering me with mercy, I would still be covered in ashes. If the Lord didn’t put mercy and forgiveness in my heart for my perpetrator, I would still be covered in ashes. If we as Jesus followers don’t share the word and assist others in seeing the Lord’s mercy, the world will be a very ashy place.
Thank you, Amy for sharing such a personal side of your heart with us and for the reminder that God does bring us through our times of mourning. I needed this reminder today. We are praying for all of you in Kenya and look forward to hearing what garments of praise God is placing on all of you as well as the people of Kenya.
Amy, I love ya girl. Thanks for being so transparent. I really like the parallel example of your own personal experience back to the scripture in Isaiah. I know that God is rocking your world in Kenya and I cannot wait to hear all the amazing things He is doing through your faithfulness!
Wow…awesome. Amy thanks so much for sharing from your heart and your very personal experience…such incredible insight that we can all be challenged by, grow through, and rest in. Can’t wait to hear how God has uniquely used you and the rest of the team in Kenya…AND how He has revealed Himself in new, fresh, powerful, and incredible ways. Great to have you at CCC…thanks for your service here and as far away as Kenya…for His glory. Take care.
Now, that is forgiveness! It’s so hard to forgive like that, Amy. You’re an example of letting go of pain and making space for joy. Your joy–and yes, even your prankster nature and that twinkle in your eye–are such a blessing to me. I can’t wait to hear all about how God uses such an open heart in Kenya!
What a great encouragement! And just think what heaven will be like if the Lord even gives us beauty on this earth!!!