Dear SCC & Friends,
Don’t throw away your confidence. ~Hebrews 10:35
Reflection #208
Confidence may be defined as an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability and veracity of something or someone… If you’ve lived awhile, you’ve had your confidence shaken and in some cases even shattered. God is faithful to give us the grace to stay the course in the midst of trial and tribulation. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. ~Heb. 4:16 His mercy can never be earned and is generously given by the Lord. …according to the dictates of His grace which He lavished upon us.~Eph. 1:8 Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. ~Jerry Bridges~ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philip. 1:6
It can be hard to throw away things, especially if they elicit nostalgic memories of previous times. Some of us are more sentimental, and others “not so much”. It all depends on perspective… One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. ~Anon.~ My grandmother was a very practical person. I loved her, but sentimentality was not part of her make up. She was from the Midwest, and “stuff” needed to serve a purpose. There came a time unbeknownst to the family that Grandma decided to clean out her attic… She threw out or gave away all the “junk” … authentic Indian war bonnets, Native American artifacts along with western paraphernalia of historic significance… Most of it had real value, but to Grandma it was just clutter. We can throw away value, not recognizing the true worth of something we have… be it the temporal or eternal. Trust the past for the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence. ~St. Augustine~ Made for these days… Keep up the good work!
Stay the course,
Kevin