Hosea 6:6 captured my attention recently:
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
I was reading the King James Version but my iPad let me quickly check a couple other versions:
The New International Version read "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
The English Standard Version was "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
The marching orders throughout the Old and New Testaments speak to me that God prefers that his children show mercy and love rather than making a lot of public sacrifices. Throughout my life I have been surrounded by people who lavished mercy and love on me and others.
With such a bounty of examples past and present, one would think an individual would be abundantly merciful and loving. But
I felt that my opportunities for overt expressions of such diminished on Good Friday 2011.
That was when a blood vessel popped in my brain right over where motor and sensory nerves bundled together before extending into the brain stem. Even hugging my children and grandchildren is a challenging process now.
But God's work through our Savior Jesus Christ was not done with me. I finally realized that as long as my mind works, prayers and encouraging words are my route to showing mercy and love for dear ones near and far, as well as friends, neighbors, and strangers encountered.
Sometimes I am privileged to learn of prayers answered. Even when I don’t learn of how my prayers are answered, I am certain that without fail one person benefits.
That person is me.
Praying for others has given me purpose and a sense of usefulness, thankfulness and peace.
It has also resulted in the pleasure of becoming aware of and observing the strengths of character and the abilities of those I encounter.
May blessings abound in your life, too!
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I wondered what had happened...I go through spells of checking your blog. There is a saying I have heard many times and that ;More things are wrought by prayer. Than this world dreams of.'
ReplyDeleteOh Linda, welcome back to the Blog Land.
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked for quite a while, obviously.
Hope all is well with you at this crazy time in our world.
I love your post today and feel the same way.
I have missed you.
(((hugs)))
Sue
Somehow I missed the sentence about your vessel popping. So sorry. Praying for God's mighty work in your life and grace and strength to your sweet Hubby too.
ReplyDeleteSue
Missing you my friend.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to wish you a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy new year.
Sue
Dear LC, this is a lovely posting, filled with a truth that reaches out to me and encourages me to begin, once again, to pray daily in a meditative way. Such comfort comes when I do that. I am so happy for you that in the midst of physical disability, you hold on to the anchor of your belief. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThis was such an encouraging post. I've copied the last few paragraphs as a much needed reminder that God's not done with me yet, and that "Even when I don’t learn of how my prayers are answered (or whether my books have led anyone to Jesus), I am certain that without fail one person benefits".
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Hope you are doing well, and your strength is improving. Praying for the Lord to touch you with the healing touch of Jesus, and wherever else you need it the most. May He surround you and your hubby with His love and protection and fill your hearts and home with His peace, joy, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I found your blog again after "misplacing it." I had it linked under "Friendly Blogs" and had forgotten the heading I'd made especially for it.
ReplyDeleteLinda...I saw you made a comment on Sandra's blog..Mad Snapper...
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard from you for so..so..long.
I hope all is fine and you were missed.
Sue of photowannabe
Just received your comment that you were trying to get back into blogging...I so hope you do. You were such an encouraging blogger. I hope you have survived this pandemic not to worse for the wear. We have did okay through it all. So far.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see a post from you. I am so glad you have found renewed purpose! Isn't it fun looking up the bible translations differ?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this post, I appreciate your work.It was a great informative post.Go so many useful and informative links. Loved your writings also. Concept of the topic was well discussed. Love to come here again.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
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