the inspiration for today's blog came from a very sacred treasure here in the DR that is not always available to me and my comforts...this item used to be with me every week if not everyday and somehow I have survived without it for months at a time...are you guessing what it is yet? if you know me well, you probably have already guessed that I'm talking about the wonderful, cold, refreshing, can of Dr. Pepper. yes, it is sacred here in the DR. yes I used to be addicted. yes I can live without it apparently.
now I write this post b/c as I sit here "catching up on my correspondence" and eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I take a sip of the cold, refreshing, drink and think "wow. how refreshing that is." now is it really that refreshing? physically I would say yes. after all the slogan is "just what the doctor ordered." doesn't the doc know best? so if after only 1 sip I say "wow how refreshing" and it's that instant gratification from a cold metal can, how much more refreshing are more important things like our relationships, work, church or eventually the Lord?
this morning I sat with a cup of coffee and went through my bible study book, gospel in life, and was challenged by this thought of mercy and grace. I have a hard time understanding these words and when is it grace and when is it mercy. I struggled through some parables and verses and thought how I have been shown both of these and then figuring out what my response is to other people. how do I show others mercy and grace? what is appropriate? micah 6:8 commands us to act justly and love mercy, so what does that look like in my everyday life? this morning, even though at moments I was frustrated at being challenged and having to put up a mirror to my heart and see moments when I'm not gracious and not merciful, I was still "refreshed" in the word this morning. I want my heart to be instantaneously refreshed after prayer or worship or reading of the word just like I think I am instantaneously refreshed after 1 sip of Dr. Pepper. can this happen?
may you look at your life and see what refreshes you during your day. then compare this to how you are refreshed in the Lord and may that desire to be refreshed in the Lord continue for you.