Life Marks

Something happened many,many years ago. I realized that there were going to be days that would nearly take me out. Days of such disappointment and heartbreak that it was more than even I…Miss, independent, I can do all things by myself…that me, could handle!  God had my attention. There were going to be days full of burden, that I could do nothing about but surrender my will to Him.

I searched my Bible for answers to the troubles that seemed to be coming far too often. That is how the enemy tries to devour you. So much happening, that overwhelmed, was a pretty good description of my life. I started getting up at all hours of the night. I would get my Bible, a cup of hot cocoa, a pen and paper. I began writing the dates in the margins, sometimes the time of day or night that my eyes fell on a passage of scripture. Then I began highlighting scriptures so I would be able to find them again. I have never hesitated to write in my Bible. It is so full of important information that I wanted to remember I had passed this way before.

My life story is noted through the pages of my Bible. The nights I rose to seek peace, the nights sitting in hospitals, the days and nights when Jesus came and took precious people with Him. The night I realized that I was an orphan. There was no one older than I, that could remind me of childhood memories. Nights of historical events when I prayed for my country. Then there are the nights I discovered new found strength as God guided me to listen for His voice and not believe the lies of the enemy. On those nights, just He and I delving into His word, taught me that everything doesn’t always come up roses. There were going to be times when I was going to walk, limp, or be carried through some dark valleys, but there were also going to be some mountaintop experiences, high fiving with my Savior, my God.

My eyes often land on notes in my Bible while turning to a passage during church or study time. Sometimes I am startled at the remembrance of my history. The raising of one standing stone after another. Seeing them written there always brings a smile to my soul. There we are, Lord, you and I. Together, we started the marks of my life, on the pages of Your word.

If you want to know where I have been, my Bible marks will tell the story. A sweet story with some sad marks, some happy marks, some questioning marks, some confused marks, some desperate marks and yes, even some angry marks. But the mark that is most special, is the one left on my life, by Jesus. His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His grace, His patience, His shelter and His promise never to leave me. Those are marks I can count on.

Today, think back about your own marks. The happy ones, the sad ones and yes, the angry ones. Is the mark of Jesus there? The one that counts?  He will give You shelter from the storms and celebrate your victories like no other.

~Scripture For Today~

Psalms 27:4-6

4  The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5  For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6  Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. (NLT)

~Prayer For Today~

Hello Father! We desire to live in Your House all the days of our lives. Thank You for Your unending love for us. We pray that we look until we find the marks throughout our life when You were there with us, on the good days and the most difficult. Thank You for Jesus! The name above all names. Forgive us when we worry and fret. Our trust is in you.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.