Green Pastures | Gracie Creswell ~♥

He makes me lie down in green pastures . . .

Here to me “green pastures” symbolizes the Covenant of Grace born at Calvary. In Christ, we are recipients of all the blessings and promises of that Grace. In these green pastures we may feed on the goodness of God—in the fullness of Christ. It is in Christ that our grace is received. We are the sheep in His pasture. Here God invites us to “lie down”, make ourselves comfortable, kick back, and relax. This is God demonstrating to us the safety and fullness we have wrapped in His Grace. In Christ we are fed in these pastures, satisfied in the Spirit, and replenished in our souls as we lie down covered by His Grace as we feed on His goodness.

Imagine yourself sitting outdoors on a perfect day of “God’s Weather”–it is peaceful, calm, serene, and beautiful. Take in the sights, the sounds, and the refreshing gentle breeze blowing through your hair. Close your eyes, and picture your hand in His. Picture Him holding you in His arms, caressing your head, comforting you, loving on you as his most treasured, precious child.

As I sit here, my thoughts deep on the things of the Lord, I gather them together to this summation . . . we are all hungry beings. What we fill our hungry souls with dictates our level of peacefulness, or the lack thereof. Silence is golden. It is in these sweetly-quiet, tender moments that we sit in silence and listen to the Lord fill our hearts with His love, His word, His compassion, His grace, and mercy; thereby, banishing our insatiable hunger for the things of this world that so emptily fill us.

Won’t you allow Him to lead YOU to the green pastures He has prepared for you? won’t you run to the green pastures He has waiting for you–to enter in, and to abound in His restful place of peace? ~ He longs for you to lie down in that green pasture and commune with Him–the One who Loves YOU with all your scabs, scars, and bruises. Let Him be that tickle on your heart, and the giggle in your soul. Allow the tears to flow freely down your cheeks, drowning in His LOVE!

Shut the world out ~ Let Him in

~♥~

In Silent Solitude . . .

r e s t !

~♥~

from Brennan Manning ~ “Abba’s Child”

When I allow God to liberate me from unhealthy dependence from people, I listen more attentively, love more unselfishly, and am more compassionate and playful. I take myself less seriously, become aware that the breath of the Father is on my face, and that my countenance is bright with laughter in the midst of an adventure I thoroughly enjoy.

Conscientiously “wasting” time with God enables me to speak and act from greater strength, to forgive rather than nurse the latest bruise to my wounded ego, to be capable of magnanimity during the petty moments of life.

It empowers me to lose myself, at least temporarily, against a greater background than the tableau of my fears and insecurities,

to MERELY BE STILL AND KNOW THAT GOD IS GOD.

~♥~

Shalom ~

~ Nothing Missing

~ Nothing Broken

~♥~

† ~ Our Good Shepherd’s Precious Gracie Girl ~ †