Dancing With My Father God in Fields of Grace
** Change of Heart: Is it possible for someone to really change? http://talk.thelife.com/2007/08/23/change-of-heart/
By Janis Pollard
Can you picture a beautiful, lush, green meadow on a gorgeous, clear, sunny day — and there you are – laughing and dancing through the field with joy?
I came upon such a meadow once, years ago, in Sequoia National Forest. It was expansive and inviting. The grass and flowers came nearly to my knees as I ran through it. I wanted to fall back into the grass and lay there, just watching the birds and the butterflies.
I took off my shoes and thoroughly enjoyed the gift of beauty before me. Sure, there were rocks and prickles to contend with, but they were not going to stop me from wallowing in the small touch of heaven I had happened on. My spirit was soaring!
Could we not live such different lives, full of amazing joy and incredible peace if we could fully absorb the concept of God’s grace into the pores of our souls?
Think about it: The Lord looks on us with so much love in His eyes and such pure grace toward us in His heart. Our lives are a beautiful meadow — our fields of grace – and certainly there are rocks, thistles and sometimes boulders to overcome, but are we going to allow them to stop us from dancing this one and only dance we have here with our Father, in this field full of His grace? His “That’s alright, I love you,” His “I don’t care what you’ve done, I take such joy in you,” His “I’m so glad I’m here with you to carry you over the rough spots.” Can it get any better than that here on earth?
We so often look at life as a struggle and a burden to just “get through” until we can “go home.” Let’s change our perspective, come out of that dark tunnel to a field of green, where God’s grace is so freeing that all we can do is dance joyfully and laugh as our spirits soar. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philemon 25).
Questions:
1. Tell us about an experience with nature that made your spirit soar.
2. Define grace.
3. How would your life be different if you “fully absorbed the concept of God’s grace into the pores of your soul?”
About the Author
http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/janis-pollard/
To all ladies
Just want to share something I read from one of Corrie ten boom’s books recently. She says we are all in “God’s Intensive Care”. Never thought of it like that before…but it is sooooooooooooo true.
May His many blessings delight you in new ways this weekend!
Dear Janis…
Your friend, Debbie S..absolutely right! Was so upset in the natural over a human situation when your beautiful writing above came into my mailbox..Went back and reread it just now and so very, very blessed! If your recipes are anything like your writing? We need to see those, too! (a book!) :)
Dancing with HIM this weekend. Handing “impossibilities” over and experiencing HIS PEACE and want to thank YOU for your caring, loving words in this devotional ..So many artists with pens and keyboard here at this site..and bless us ALL! (((((((Appreciating Janis)))))))
Janis,
What a blessing your words are…I feel awed by God’s presence everytime I am near the mountains or the ocean.
Your life experiences are a living testimony of your walk with God. You have so many gifts & talents & I am thrilled to see your words being printed…maybe someday we’ll get you to print your recipes!
Love you,
Debbie S.
For June L,
We are so glad to see you back and you are a special, giving Presence here at the comment site..A dear and special “teacher” by example..You are blessing us all and we love and appreciate you, too..And we PTL for your progres in this recovery process, too. We know it hasn’t been easy, but knew that you and the Lord together would get through this thing!
All the dear ladies on here such blessings. I never know how long will get to be on here..but embrace this special spot while it is possible..So grateful to have met and been blessed by each special one on here!
Much Love Always (((((((June L)))))))
To my sister, I pray that the Lord our God will heal you, in Jesus Name and will restore you back to health. I pray the Love of the Father will minister to you as you recover. amen
for june l
so glad you are felling a little better will keep praying for you. the soreness will go away in time may God be with you.
sharon
To Fran, thank you for praying and I am glad you are feeling “up” again. We all have those “down” days. It takes DOWN days to appreciate the UP days. God is sooooooooo good and sooooooooooo worthy of our Praises. The blessings keep coming here as I have “rested under His wings” this week…and last. I made it through you precious ladies sent by God. Thank you!
For June L…
Bless you, dear friend, and your comments about precious Sharon were “right on the Mark”! She is a treasure..And so are you..We can only imagine how sore it must be, yet you overcome that to share with us..It means so much! Praising Him for your recovery..And this will thrill you..I “picked up my bed and WALKED” today and prayed all afternoon doing errands with my husband, too! Many were lifted today! We chose to “dance with the Lord”! Amen! :)
For Sharon
Thank you for your prayers…especially for my surgery. I don’t get to comment as much as I would like…due to soreness in this chair…but am praying for you and your family as you lost a precious 15 year old family member recently. I always enjoy your testimonies. Keep focused on Jesus and He will continue to bless. You are a living testimony of what He can do with cancer also. God bless you. (((Hug for Sharon)))
this is for all laides my God bless you and answer all of you prayers as i know He will what a wonderful blessing you all are
sharon
I really loved Jackie’s explanation of Grace. It’s an undeserved mercy and favor from God just as ours is toward our own children. That gives me much joy to know that God loves me in such a way, that when I run to Him He picks me up and holds me on His lap as if I am the tiniest little child of His great love.
Lauradine, Loved your powerful prayer.
Jackie, I am behind reading comments…just heard of your husband’s job interview. Praying God’s will in this. Keep us posted.
Fran, loved that last comment: “May we all “dance with our Father” in the midst of earthen trials and with His incredible Grace..Amen!
WOW! Claiming this as a prayer for all ladies that read this!!
Dear Jackie,
Bless you and I cherish your prayers, too! Prayed today for favor towards your husband in the job interview tomorrow and know the Lord will be with him and “round the corners”, too! Keep walking your phenomenol walk and always write as you have a special gift in that and our Lord is using it, too! (((((((Jackie)))))))
To Jackie,
Really loved what you wrote about Grace. Just have to believe and hold on to it more often.
Fran,
Been very busy this weekend. (tomatoes and corn) It’s taken me a while to catch up on everyone, but I am praying for your ‘miracle’ to happen at your home.I know God will supply for you and your husband for your repairs,our home is so old but I love it (didn’t when I moved in though,could actually believe my husband paid for it ) but my husband seen the’potential’ kind of like God seen my “potential” and I love them both for looking beyond what was before the eye.just remember dear fran,no matter what our house need here, WE HAVE A MANSION WAITING.your in my prayers along with all the other dear ladies here. love ya.
For June L
Thank you so much..and am believing you are “rounding the corner” in this surgery recovery, too..Am in His Presence and seeking and “listening”.
Love all of you and lifting. Loved Luradine’s powerful comment above, too. Just as I said..”Warriors”!
May we all “dance with our Father” in the midst of earthen trials and with His incredible Grace..Amen!
To Fran
Thanks for your encouraging words. They mean so much. The soreness goes away more everyday. I am thinking I won’t need the pain medicine tonight. Will try to leave it off anyway.
Praying for all and especially Fran as you are “in His precence”. May His presence bring you JOY in a “special” way this week. PRAISE HIM!!
To God be the glory. Great things He hath done!
Hello Carmin,
I have found when boulders come in my life I must thank Godforthe blessings of life [Genesis 2:7], protection[Psalm 91],provision [Psalm 23], salvation [Ephesians 2:8-9], faithfulness [Lamentations 3:22-24], forgiveness [Psalm 103],and love [John 3:16]We sing a song in my church “Lord don’t move this mountain, but give me the strength to climb it’. Praying that God will give you the strength to climb today and every day and the ability to praise Him and dance in the midst of your boulders.
Dear June L..And All Other Sweet Ladies on Here..
First want to say am Praising Our Lord for June’s safe return on here and continuing many prayers for complete recovery and return to “better than new”, June! The soreness will leave soon and each day will get better and better. (Had the Caesarian and can relate a little!). Proud of the way you are handling all this and know everyone else is, too! (((((((June L)))))))
Am “In His Presence” here and won’t be commenting a lot..but will read daily at the site and lift you all. Always know that. You each have touched my heart in mighty ways..and will repeat myself and say again..MANY Prayer Warriors at this special site..And many Princesses, too..”Daughters of our Lord”.
Prayers will be continuing upward for us all, always know that!!
Much Love and Prayers Galore,
Fran :)
Thank you sweet Sharon and Jackie. You have blessed me so with your comments the last few days…I still haven’t caught up on all the comments. This leather chair is getting more comfortable every day…but will take a while.
Jackie, I loved your story about God’s prescence in the mountains. My soul longs for those mountains,…I guess because they were so close when I was growing up. Your description of grace touched me deeply.
I felt your prayers, and continue to get better each day. Please continue to pray a speedy recovery. I like this “instant” thing like everybody else. Recovery is slow…but God’s timing is best. The doctors say I am doing good.
(((Hugs for ALL)))
June L;so glad you are recovering with the grace of God on your mind.I am so glad your back!! your still in my prayers.Thanks for commenting you have noooo idea how much I needed that particular scripture today.
((((hugs for june))))
for june l
i am glad everything went well for you. you were in my prayers. are still in my prayers for a fast recovery.
God bless you
sharon
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
Oh how humble I felt in the hospital room last week. Sick to my stomach, feverish, no appetite. aching all over. All I could think of was His grace. Thank you Jesus. You are AWESOME.
Carmin~I’ll be praying for you. God loves you so very much and you will find many knots in the rope as you climb over the boulders. We have had many boulders of our own, and though I would have chosen a different route myself, I would not want to have missed what I have learned of our Father on this path. He is so very personal and full of beautiful surprises to remind you that He has “got you covered, Kid”. Don’t despair and stay in prayer.
I think I first the most beautiful time I can ever remember being in nature was 4 years ago. We were in cherokee North Carolina, with my family. We went on a 5 mile hike up mountain trails to get to a waterfall.the hike took a while through the canopy of trees,over winding creeks with bridges made of logs from the area.there was some many animals and flowers just everywhere.the sunlight streaming through the trees made it look just so peaceful.then climbling the rocks on the side of the mountain beside the waterfall to get to the top, looking down as it raced down the mountain into a stream.it was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen.standing at the top looking out seemed like you could see forever,then looking down upon the water flowing across the rocks to the bottem. I never wanted to leave there.that very second is when I realized that God was seeing the same thing I did,that was the first time i really felt his presences. I will never forget it or that feeling.
Grace to me is Favor given out of Love, unconditional love.No matter what I’ve done,haven’t done,what I’m worth or not worth,what own or don’t own,what I can or can’t do,who I can be or can’ be,what I can earn or not earn.He loves me regaurdless of my failures or accomplishments.There is nothing I can do to make him love me anymore than he already does right this minute.I don’t have to prove anything to him ,he already knows me.God is so awesome..
It made me think of what my family is going thru right now. We seem to have many boulders in our path. Right now its hard to dance through the meadow and find joy right now. I am working on it and I am working on releasing it all to God daily.
Carmin
It made me think of what my family is going thru right now. We seem to have many boulders in our path. Right now its hard to dance through the meadow and find joy right now. I am working on it and I am working on releasing it all to God daily.
I love wildflower and meadow imagery but what touches me most is the ocean and the colours reflected in the water and the beauty of sunlight dancing upon the waves. The vastness of the ocean and sky help me realize that God is so much greater than my perspective and so much more able to hold my questions, hear my heart and calm my fears. When I see the water , I am more able to give to the Lord my cares and anxieties . I think of the words of an old hymn, “o the deep deep love of Jesus” describing an ocean and the current of His Love.
“Underneath me, all around me is the current of His Love, Leading onward, leading homeward to the glorious rest above.”It is yet another illustration of His grace and tender Love.
Kit Douwsma
This past January 1st, 2007 reminded me that God was watching over me and he used his power of nature to remind me of such. While down in Florida for the winter months, I stepped out my door for a early morning walk being that it was the 1st day of the new year and I wanted to start it off on the right foot. Exercising has allows allowed me to deal with a lot of my inner grief and life challenges however on this particular FIRST day of the NEW YEAR such was not helping me over the course of several months for I was battling with trying to get my body to heal from a very bad algiment that did not allow me to exercise for weeks and months on end. However, I was finaly feeling up to a bit of a walk and once i got my walk in around the neighborhood, it began to rain. However, I was not getting wet for the rain was all around me yet not in my pathway. Once I got to my front door, I looked up in the sky and there was TWO RAINBOWS in the sky. Not just one but TWO and right away I told my partner that God sent those double rainbows my way to let me know that he is watching over me and that i am being doubly protected. I have FAITH that God speaks to all of us through nature if one chooses to sto, take a look and listen.
The other night I was out taking a nice evening walk down at the beach near my liitle apartment and the sunset was so beautiful, to top it all off, there was a group of about 6 or 7 dears all gathered around just grazing on the meadows that surrounded us. I standing in the middle of it all wished that so many others could had been there with me to experience such a beautiful site.
I think my life would be totaly differant if I could fully understand and embrace God Grace towards me. Growing up with no father and a mother whom was to distraught to raise us properly did not allow me to experience LOVE and KINDNESS and JOY. However, since I have been saved/born again I am realizing more and more just how much God does realy love me and how much he has put up with me over the years. I realize know that his GRACE abounds all around me inspite of my now growing up years with him. If it was not for the LOVE of God, I would not be a changing woman.
ABBA, FATHER I adore you,
Your Daughter Barbara Comlish
Hi, Just wanted to say I feel his presence back in my life so strong the joy he brings to my life.I see it if you try you can chose to be negative and have a attitude but if you drop all that you can be in his prence and him wraped all around you, he loves me and you and thats all we need.Tricia
Dorothy,
“I know my Jesus loves me – He shows it in my children.” I love that analogy! Precious. Thank you.
I had an experience that gave me the feeling of God’s awesome greatness. We were on our way to check out the Texas A&M campus where my daughter was planning to attend. It was a dreary rainy day when I could see a break in the clouds ahead on the road. When we reached that spot on the road, we were washed with the brightest golden light you can imagine, even blinding. It was clear on the other side. When we looked back we saw the reason for the bright light, the end of a rainbow! I still get goose bumps when I remember back on that moment and think of God’s promise that goes with the rainbow, also his other promises, which guide me through many of the times that we face in this life and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
sure people can change i have seen it happen with my husband, son,and son inlaw all because they came to God. this weekend was a sad time for my soninlaws family he lost his 15 year old neice she had been sick for awhile with many things,but she always had a smile on her face she was truely one of Gods beautiful blessings we could all learn from her please pray for her family. God bless you all
sharon
Very philosophical! Timely article for me….Change comes by absorbing the things of Christ; his love, his grace, his joy. Overcome the struggles and the burdens and get to the spirit of Christ which is within.
I at times have seen either a beautiful sunrise or sunset. I saw one on Saturday morning at the radio station where I do The Rainbow Connection for children. I looked our the window as I was still tired and was not really awake this past Saturday. I was struggling to keep my eyes open for my part in the radio program. God direted me to the window and I say the clouds and the sun rise. I also saw the air balloons in the sky. God told me that he was here with me as I was struggling to keep awake. Prase the Lord!
What figurative language! Everytime I lay in my pool and stare up at the clouds – I just imagine them rolling back and Jesus coming down from the heavens. I cling to the grace of God. It’s easy for me to understand it. My 7 year old can be very bratty, and even show attitude when given correction (can you imagine???) But when the tears start rolling and she wraps her arms around me and says “I’m sorry mommy” my love for her pours out – how much more is His love for His children. I know my Jesus loves me – He shows it in my children.