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Preamble
By Jerri
Phillips
Dear
ones,
In many ways, this has been an
emotionally difficult week. People we
love have received very bad medical
reports. We have begun homeschooling, and
that has had its wonderful challenges.
Through all the difficulties, God has
proven Himself faithful. Doesn't He
always?
Last night as I sat in front of my
computer, I confess, I was emotionally
and physically spent, but I knew deep in
my spirit that the Lord had a word for
this week, and I even knew the topic.
However, I just couldn't seem to pull the
details together, and then I received an
e-mail from a very precious friend of
mine. As I read it, I began to cry. I
cried for a number of reasons. I cried
for my friend who is being restored after
making some bad decisions, and I cried
because what she wrote is exactly the
message I knew was to be sent this week.
In her sin, the Lord called her to
holiness, and in my emptiness, the Lord
filled the void.
I pray that in her honesty you will find
the Truth of Almighty God. I appreciate
her transparency, and I praise God for
His mercy…for all of us.
By the Hair of
my Little Running Legs
By Jerri's
Precious Friend
Jerri, I went running
this evening. I was running, and running,
and really going after it today. Even
though it was raining a little, I decided
to tough it out because I haven't run in
a long time. I went even though it was
drizzling, and even though... even
though... okay, my legs are in dire need
of attention from a razor. They are not
just prickly, they are SHAMEFULLY hairy.
One of those, oh-who-cares-
I'll-wear-pants days. Besides, I thought,
`No one is going to stop me and examine
my legs as I'm out running.' So, running
I went.
While I was out though, I found myself
imagining Marcus, as I often have done
while I've been out running. I kept
imagining him driving and looking for me,
because he knows where I run. And I
imagined a scenario in which he found me,
came onto me, and propositioned me.
But my imagination came screeching to a
halt when I remembered my LEGS!!
"What would I do", I asked
myself, "if he WERE to come find
me??"
I imagined myself telling him I DID want
to be with him but not until I'd cleaned
up. Despite my objections, he kept
pressing me, but I would not give in,
because I worried he would be grossed out
and never want to be with me again.
I imagined telling him I wanted our first
time to be special. I really wanted to be
at my very best for him. I imagined
myself begging him to let me go home and
clean up... "We can meet somewhere
later tonight," I begged.
"Please...."
I was TORN in that imagination because I
WANTED to go with him, but he'd caught me
off guard, and I was not ready! I had
dreamed of that moment, and it was there
before me, and I was... well, not
aesthetically pleasing, to say the least!
I imagined being so afraid that he would
not come to meet me later on. He'd been
so hesitant all along...I had no reason
to think he wouldn't change his mind and
not show up....I was torn because I was
found... not ready. I found myself
wishing I'd shaved and thinking I should
ALWAYS stay clean-shaven and prepared for
surprises like that!
Then I re-entered the atmosphere of
reality as my imagination faded away. I
thought of something--and I laughed a
little! I said to myself, "Funny-
that sounds a lot like Jesus! How He said
we should always stay...."
(reality hits...)
"Ready."
READY!
Ready, I reminded myself, because we
don't know the day or the hour when He's
coming to get us!
"Oh, LORD," I said, "I
repent! Please forgive me for my
adulterous thoughts. I am so sorry. Have
mercy on me. LORD, I want to always be
ready to go with You! Always!!!"
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