Sharing

I’ll ask you the same question I asked her; “Can I share something spiritual with you?”

I led the dinner conversation between my daughter and me with just that question. She welcomed me enthusiastically, so I proceeded. I handed her a wrinkled piece of paper with the noted passage below on it. I asked her to read it. We discussed its original context and intended meaning. Then I opened my heart to reveal a faith story written there by the hand of God. I’ve decided to pass on to you here what I shared with her:

This is what the LORD says:

"The people who survive the sword

will find favor in the desert;

I will come to give rest to Israel."

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

I will build you up again

and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.

Again you will take up your tambourines

and go out to dance with the joyful.

Again you will plant vineyards

on the hills of Samaria;

the farmers will plant them

and enjoy their fruit.

[Jer 31:2-5]

“Jeremiah was a Prophet of God to Judah during the exile. This passage spoke directly to them in their circumstance and told of God’s promise for restoration.

Weeks before we went away to the mountains I was hanging on by a thin and fraying thread. I came across that verse one day in my reading and it caught my breath short. I couldn’t believe God had actually said that! The promise was so beautiful. I took the words personally to heart for they seemed to speak directly to me.

I needed to know that God had brought me through many a battle not to leave me in a desert place. He would come and give me rest. I needed the reminder of His love for me and the way He had repeatedly shown it in the past. And I held on to the promise that He would build me up again. That there would be a time coming for joyful dancing. That I would be renewed to return to the kingdom work of planting seeds through teaching His Word.

I printed it out and taped it near my computer monitor at work. I knew what God had done for them. And in Him I had the same hope. He would give me rest and build me up to continue planting.

I would read it several times throughout the day to lift me up when I started feeling worn. Day after day, I read that passage and hope would swell. I would look forward to the time I knew was coming. His strength would carry me to that point.

When vacation time came and we got away I totally forgot the verse. I forgot how weary I had been feeling. I was lost completely in Him and fully cherished our family time together.

When I returned to work I saw the verse hanging, bearing witness. A sense of where I had been flooded over me as I recalled how those words pulled me along. Moisture pooled in my eyes at the memory. Joyful tears of thanksgiving for God’s response.

I kept it there for two weeks to invoke thanks for the way He had done the same for me. Every time I saw it I would thank Him for the grace that filled and fueled.

Today I was ready to take it down. As I leaned toward the trash can a thought ran through my mind to tell you the story. To share God and the way faith and hope helped me in a time of need.”



I wanted to testify to God’s grace actively working in my life and His goodness He had shown me. I purposed to express praise so she might see His glory. That is my intent for you, also. Isn’t that precisely what God wills for us? To verbally share His goodness with each other? To declare the glory due His Name? Doesn’t it exercise and expand our view that we might recognize the ways He blesses? We must determine to share a legacy of God experiences with our kids that they might know there is a God they can call upon.  As well as learning the comfort of God that is found in the Bible.

God’s message delivered through Jeremiah served a specific purpose for a specific people. But it reveals God’s character and dealings relationally with His people. It is mortar to a foundation of hope in Him – a hope that will not disappoint.

Though in the deserts of life, we do find favor, for our God loves us with an ever-lasting love. As we kick the sand from our sandals, let's remember to share the testimony of that favor.


Abba Dear; May I always remember to share You with others. To magnify Your blessings and show Your personal caring touch. Most of all, may I always pause to give thanks for your tender loving care. In Christ, Amen.

We will not hide them from their children;

we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

[Ps 78:4]